Geographical Distribution of Indian Mulberry Species

Extensive explorations were undertaken in different regions of India. A total of 367 mulberry germplasm were collected through 38 explorations covering 5 zones, 21 states and 58 districts. The wild collections of Morus serrata was confined to North-western Himalaya. M. laevigata in natural forms are available in North-eastern, North-western and South India including Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Introduced genepool of mulberry were collected from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tamil nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other parts of India which are maintained as avenue trees, shade trees, social forestry and fruit trees mainly in coffee and tea estates. M. alba and M. indica are mostly found in cultivated forms throughout India. Considerable diversity was observed in Morus germplasm collected through explorations. The variability in the Indian collections of Morus germplasm and the scope of utilization are discussed.