Physiological and biochemical characteristics associated with leaf retention in mulberry (Morus spp.)

Mulberry leaf production plays a key role in the sustainability of silk industry as the silkworm Bom- byx mori can not survive on any other leaf. In fact, silkworm merely acts as an instrument to convert mulberry leaf proteins into the silk proteins. In In- dia, West Bengal is the second highest silk produc- ing state but with varied climatic conditions and suffers to a great extent from non-availability of a- dequate quantity of quality leaf during the colder months. Delayed sprouting, slow growth rate and higher leaf fall are the major factors contributing this leaf scarcity. To overcome these problems, nine mulberry genotypes, developed through systematic breeding, were tested against the current popular variety for 3 consecutive years taking into account of their performance during the colder months. Annual leaf yield was highest in CT-44 (48 mt/ha/ year) followed by CT-11 (44 mt/ha/year). Leaf se- nescence was least in CT-44 (9.8%) followed by CT-11 (16.8%) while the check variety showed 20% leaf senescence. Significantly higher values were observed for net photosynthetic rate (Pn) (14.83 µ mol. m -2 ·s -1 ); physiological water use efficiency

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