Mulberry Division

Mulberry is a perennial, heterozygous and important economical crop in sericulture industry. It belongs to the genus Morus L. of the family Moraceae.  It is usually cultivated as low bush or dwarf tree form by repeated pruning. Apart from its importance in silkworm rearing, it is also valued for its delicious fruits, medicinal properties in infusions, and ornamental shade tree. The conservation of mulberry genetic resources for future research and their subsequent utilization in plant breeding are two important spheres of activity. But the genetic improvement depends on the availability of variability in germplasm. Selection of suitable genotype from gene pool requires a thorough knowledge on availability and distribution of traits of economic importance for effective utilization in hybridization. Realizing the need for enhanced use of mulberry germplasm for crop improvement programmes, CSGRC has taken up experiments on evaluation of the available germplasm in ex situ field gene bank. Presently, it is conserving 1317 mulberry accessions including 1032 indigenous and 285 exotic germplasm. Each accession with four plants is maintained as active germplasm collection. Also, 3 acres of core-set germplasm is conserved which are genetically diverse. In addition to this, 6 acres of leaf supply garden for the conservation of silkworm genetic resources are maintained. Since mulberry is highly heterozygous, predominantly out crossing and anemophilous pollination, the chief mode of propagation being adopted in mulberry is stem cuttings or grafting of dormant buds. These mulberry accessions are continuously being characterized and documented in the form of catalogue. The characterization and evaluation includes morphology, anatomy, biochemical, propagation, growth and yield traits. The top performing accessions for each trait are identified and updated in Mulberry Germplasm Information System (MGIS) database which is a national database. The top performing accessions could serve as better parents in future crop improvement and breeding programs. Also, the mulberry germplasm are supplied to needy indenters for R & D activities.

Scientists