Genetic variation for Vegetative and Reproductive Traits in Mulberry (Morus spp) Accessions

Aims: To assess genetic variability for vegetative and reproductive traits in different seasons. Study Design: Field experimental design was used. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted in different seasons during 2019-20 at Department of Sericulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore. Methodology: The present study comprised of Seventy one mulberry accessions. Results: The mean performance of leaf moisture content (64.41 & 55.42%) and leaf yield (1268.71 & 872.21g) in rainy and winter season, respectively. There are large differences were observed between the minimum and maximum range leaf moisture content was varied from 45.16 to 78.51 per cent and leaf yield was varied from 235.90 to 29008.89 during rainy season. In winter season the range of leaf moisture content was varied from 15.28 to 72.35 per cent and leaf yield was varied from 94.43 to 2975.00 g. Phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV %) was found to be higher than the respective genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV %) for all the characters denoting variability among genotypes in both the seasons. Estimates of phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variations were high for leaf yield per plant (98.63, 98.49%) and (89.69, 89.62%) in rainy and winter season, respectively. Maximum heritability was observed for leaf yield per plant (99.71 %), (99.85 %) in rainy and winter season, respectively. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean in respect of number of days for first flower initiation, plant height and single leaf area at 45th, 60th, and 75th DAP, number of branches, leaf moisture content and leaf yield per plant was observed in rainy and winter seasons.

The effect of feeding various species of mulberry (Morus spp.) on the growth of silkworm and quality of cocoon hybrid BS 09

Hybrid silkworm varieties, mulberry species, environmental factors, and rearing factors are essential for the cocoons’ quality. The species of silkworm feeding is a key factor in the sericulture industry, so the suitability of mulberry species for each silkworm hybrid species needs to be known. This study aimed to determine the effect of mulberry species on silkworm growth and quality of cocoons BS 09. The research method used was a randomized block design with four species of mulberry: Morus bombycis var Lembang, M. cathayana, M. multicaulis, and M. alba var Kanva 2 and one control species (mixed mulberry species). The research was carried out at Dramaga Research Forest, Bogor Regency. The determined parameters were the percentage of rearing, larva weight, cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, and percentage of cocoon shell. The experiment results showed that the percentage of rearing was 97.5%-100% for all species of mulberry. The best result of the cocoon weight was feed treatment of M. multicaulis (1.89 g), but it was not significant with feed treatment of M. bombycis var Lembang or M. cathayana or M. alba var Kanva 2. M. cathayana feed treatments give the best results for the cocoon shell weight (0.44 gram) and percentage of cocoon shell (22.82%).

Scientific Analysis and Conservation of Waterlogged Woods Excavated from Suyoeng-ri Site, Hwaseong, Korea

Five waterlogged wood artefacts were excavated from Suyeong-ri site in Hwaseong, South Korea. The aim of the present study was to identify the species and estimate the date of manufacture and the manufacturing method of these artefacts. The study also aimed to conserve the original shapes of waterlogged wood artefacts by using the vacuum freeze drying method. The two large waterlogged woods were identified as Ulmus spp. and Morus spp., whereas one of the three small waterlogged woods was identified as Abies spp. and the other two as hard pine. Radiocarbon dating using wiggle match dated the manufacturing of these wooden artefacts between BCE 8520-8490 or BCE 8470-8290 in the Neolithic age, and a similar period was also confirmed for seed excavated from a place close to the location where the waterlogged wood artefacts were excavated. The surface of waterlogged wood artefacts had several traces of manufacturing processes - traces of tearing and chopping - were observed. Based on these observations, it was confirmed that stone adz was used to make these wooden artefacts. Thereafter, the waterlogged wood samples were conserved by immersing them into PEG#4,000 of concentration in water from 10% to 40% at room temperature(15~25℃) and subjecting them to vacuum freeze drying. However, the internal moisture was not completely removed in some thick parts of waterlogged woods by applying the general schedule such as raising the shelf temperature as the surface temperature rises. Therefore, additional study is required using the schedule-method for vacuum freeze drying of large waterlogged wood.

Seasonal Characterization of the Endophytic Fungal Microbiome of Mulberry (Morus spp.) Cultivars Resistant and Susceptible to Sclerotiniosis

The endophytic microbiome is thought to play an important role in promoting plant growth and health. Using culture-independent and culture-dependent protocols, this study characterized the seasonal shifts in the endophytic fungal microbiota of four mulberry (Morus L.) cultivars having different levels of resistance to mulberry fruit sclerotiniosis. Core endophytes can be obtained by two approaches, and they were divided into two clusters by season. Spring samples harbored higher operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and α-diversity, while autumn samples had more sequences or isolates of the fungal class Dothideomycetes with the representative orders Capnodiales and Pleosporales. While comparing different mulberry cultivars, we found that the total number of OTUs in susceptible cultivars was higher than that of resistant cultivars, and Cladosporium sp. were observed in all. Notably, the causal agent of fruit sclerotiniosis (Scleromitrula shiraiana) was only detected in susceptible cultivars. Collectively, our work elucidated significant variations in the mulberry endophytic microbiome, mainly because of seasonal shifts, and the fact that the host cultivars and mulberry endophytic fungal community appeared to have a certain connection with the resistance level of mulberry fruit to sclerotiniosis. These results provided valuable information on the isolation and culturing of mulberry endophytes that could be applied to improve mulberry fruit production and health.

Detection of Mulatexin in Local Mulberry Plants (Morus spp.) from Bogor, West Java, Indonesia

The mlx56 gene family is found exclusively in the mulberry (Morus spp.) plant, and its role is to defend against insect herbivores, yet it had never been discovered from Indonesia, which has been cultivating mulberry silkworm's (Bombyx mori) feed in order to produce silks. This research focused on studying the expression of mlx56 gene family in local mulberry plants from Bogor, West Java, using different plant organs which were leaf, stem, and root. Each sample was collected from four species of mulberry; Morus alba var. kanva-2, M. alba var. multicaulis, M. bombycis var. lembang, and M. cathayana. Genomic RNA samples were collected and synthesized into cDNA, amplification was done using eight primers of the mlx56 gene family and the products were sequenced. Sequences were then analyzed by BLAST. Results showed diverse mlx56 gene family expression among species of mulberry and plant organs. The mlx56-2, mlx56-4, and mlx56-7, were mostly expressed in all species and organs. The gene mlx56-3, which was not discovered in the previous study, was expressed in M. cathayana leaf and root also in the roots of other species. It was identified as chitinase-like protein LA along with mlx56-5, while other genes were identified as mlx56 based on BLAST.

Studies on Basic Chromosome Number, Ploidy Level, Chromosomal Association and Configuration and Meiotic Behavior in Mulberry (Morus Spp.)

Mulberry leaves are primary food for silkworm, Bombyx mori L. to feed silkworms and harvest quality silk cocoons. Mulberry belongs to family Moraceae and includes 60 species found distributed in both Hemisphere. In mulberry, chromosome numbers are varies from 2n = 28 to 22n = 308 (Diploid to Decosoploid) with ploidy level x to 22x. Based on chromosome numbers and meiotic behaviors x = 14 has been considered as basic chromosome numbers of the genus. In the present study, two diploids, two uneuploids, two triploids and two teteraploids mulberry varieties were selected for detailed chromosomal numbers and meiotic behaviors belongs to three species, namely Morus indica, Morus alba and Morus latifolia. Varieties, Vishaala and Kosen were diploids with 2n = 2x = 28 chromosomes and varieties Ber-S1 and S13 were uneuploids with 2n = 30 chromosomes belongs Morus indica. Varieties NAO Khurkul and KPG-1 were triploids with 2n = 3x = 42 chromosomes belongs to Moru alba and varieties Kokuso and Icheihei were tetraploids with 2n = 4x = 56 chromosomes. Diploids and uneuploids were showed normal meiosis with high pollen fertility and triploids and teteraploids were showed abnormal meiosis with low pollen fertility, due to virtue of higher ploidy level have been discussed in this chapter.

Studies on Food, Health and Environmental Perspectives In Mulberry (Morus Spp.) – A Review

Mulberry is a very hard and quickly developing plant belongs to the family of Moraceae. The leaf of mulberry is exclusively utilized for feeding and rising of the silkworm (Bombyx mori) for the production of silk yarn. It is evaluated that mulberry silk contributes around 90% of the total worldwide raw silk production that contributed to socio-economic development worldwide. The usage of mulberry leaves as silkworm feed, it is being utilized for food and medicinal purpose also. For instance, the mulberry fruit because of its high nutritive value and flavorful taste is getting significance as important foodstuff. The mulberry bark and wood are likewise helpful for assembling of paper and sports products things. Mulberry is a quickly developing with profound roots, flourish leaves, high protections from pollution, wind, sand, drought, and salinity with strong adaptability and simple cultivation. The broad environmental adaptability of mulberry to light, temperature, water, soil and other normal conditions objectively empowers it to have numerous environmental defensive capacities in water and soil protection, wind tolerance and sand consolidation, water source preservation, and air refreshment. Since earlier, Ayurveda and other literature have claimed the diverse medicinal properties against certain serious diseases e.g. hypertension, hyperglycemia, cancer, arthritis, diabetes and rheumatis, heart disease, inflammation, fever, cough and throat, stomach related disease, unsteadiness, hepatitis etc. The current studies of different pharmacological compounds of medicinal significance present in mulberry plants opens up new avenues of research in the medical science. Under this study briefly described about economic as well as environmental importance of mulberry taking into account different aspects of its role as animal feed, foodstuff, phytomedicine and remediation of polluted soils and atmosphere, etc. J. Bio-Sci. 29(1): 163-179, 2021 (June)

Genetic diversity assessment of ancient mulberry (Morus spp.) in Lebanon using morphological, chemical and molecular markers (SSR and ISSR)

Lebanon has ancient mulberry trees which are the remnants of the abundant orchards that dominated its lands during the nineteenth century. Lebanese mulberry germplasm has not been assessed yet. This study aims to collect local old rainfed mulberry accessions from different geographical regions and assess their diversity by using morphological and molecular markers (SSR and ISSR). Genetic diversity of 70 accessions of mulberry were evaluated by using 27 morphological traits. The dendrogram based on the morphological attributes showed a relative separation of the different accessions based on fruits color and taste. Molecular analysis was performed for the accessions by using selected SSR and ISSR primers. The primers marked a high discriminating power (0.7 to 0.89). The dendrogram constructed on the base of UPGMA method showed 13 different groups. The clustering patterns indicated no location nor local name specificity among mulberry accessions. The combination of SSR and ISSR primers was informative for estimating the extent of mulberry genetic diversity. It can be concluded that there is a high level of genetic diversity within mulberry trees in Lebanon. These results will be useful for mulberry germplasm management in terms of biodiversity protection and as a valuable source of gene pool for crop improvement.