Mulberry (Morus spp.) Diversity in Jammu and Kashmir

The North Western region of India which includes Jammu and Kashmir represents highly variable agro-climatic conditions and cradles diverse mulberry genetic resources. Lot of diversity in the mulberry wealth exists in this region which could be utilized to broaden its genetic base. It is estimated that about 25% of the available 150 lakh mulberry trees in J & K comprise the local/wild genotypes. The present communication deals with the distribution of mulberry species in J & K. There are 4 indigenous species of mulberry viz Morus indica, M. alba, M. laevigata and M. serrata. Jammu and Kashmir State has the privilege of possessing all the four indigenous species of mulberry. Because of its adaptability to cross pollination with no inter-specific reproductive barriers a vast range of diversity in the genetic stocks has crept in thereby rendering it highly heterozygous plant species as a result every plant being different from other in natural population. A total number of 1269 mulberry accessions are available in Central Sericultural Germplasm Resource Centre (CSGRC), Hosur, Tamil Nadu out of which only 3.23% collections are from Jammu and Kashmir. The available genetic wealth needs to be exploited by the mulberry breeders for aiming both as direct utilization and siphoning of the specific traits for further breeding programmes. This necessitates systematic exploitations of the colder regions. Keeping this in view and to assess the diversity of mulberry under extreme cold climatic conditions, survey of Ladakh, Lolab (Kupwara) and Gurez (Bandipora) in Jammu and Kashmir was undertaken. Mulberry sericulture is presently not being practiced in these regions except at Lolab (Kupwara). However the genetic potential of these wild genotypes can be utilized for bioprospecting of frost tolerant characters. Diversity in the biochemical composition of commercial genotypes along with the local genotypes has been discussed. The results reveal the superiority of wild mulberry genotypes available in Lolab (Kupwara) region in Jammu and Kashmir with respect to soluble protein content.