Abstract
The growth performance of Mulberry tree (Morus spp.) was carried out at Central Sericultural Germplasm Resources Centre (CSGRC), Hosur after 10 years establishment in ex-situ field gene bank. The girth of the plant, which is suitable for tree formation was, recorded both in exotic and indigenous Mulberry accessions. Comparative performance indicates that exotic plants performed well than indigenous for all the traits studied. The frequency distribution on different growth traits showed fluctuation and variation. The analysis of variance indicates considerable variability among the accessions, which was significant at 1% level. The coefficient of variation was higher in exotic accessions, which indicates more variability exists among them. The relationships of plant girth vs. shoot numbers, leaf yield, shoot weight and biomass weight showed high significant correlation. Other parameters showed interrelationship among themselves. The study facilitates selection of mulberry accessions based on its growth performance for multipurpose use i.e., tree, fodder, fuel and high biomass.
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