Central Sericultural Germplasm Resources Centre, Central Silk Board, P.E. No-44 Thally Road, Hosur-635 109, Tamil Nadu.
Leaf anatomical parameters in 330 diverse mulberry germplasm resources (indigenous-182, exotic-108 and polyploids-40) were studied to estimate the variability and to identify potential mulberry varieties for stress tolerance. Estimates of genetic parameters showed high coefficients of variation (GCV and PCV) coupled with high magnitude of heritability and genetic advance for idioblast length and frequency, and upper and lower cuticular thickness. The least coefficient of variation was recorded in respect of leaf thickness and number of chloroplast/stomata. The leaves of exotic accessions were more thick and succulent than indigenous accessions. Significant positive correlations were observed between stomatal size, idioblast length, palisade thickness, spongy thickness, leafthickness and number of chloroplasm stomata. Nine indigenous and 11 exotic accessions, which showed multiple drought tolerant characters were identified for stress condition.
Leaf anatomy, Indigenous and exotic germplasm, Mulberry, Variability
