Screening of Selected Mulberry (Morus) Germplasm Varieties Through Propagation Parameters.

Nine mulberry varieties along with one check variety M5 were field tested at Bethamangala village of Kolar district, Karnataka. These mulberry varieties were evaluated for the propagation parameters, like sprouting, survival, shoot growth and rooting behaviour. Results showed that, sprouting percentage was above 95% inTR8, TR12 and S1708 mulberry varieties, while survival rate was as high as 93% in S1708. Mulberry variety S1708 recorded highest shoot length of 62.63cm and shorter shoot length was recorded in C6(35.55cm). Mulberry varieties studied exhibited considerable variations in fresh shoot and dry shoot weight. Among the mulberry varieties studied, Matigara black showed the longest root length (25.99cm) followed by TR12 (23.57cm) and TR8 (21.98cm). Numbers of roots / sapling were recorded more in Matigara black (42) and less in TR8 (14). Root volume was significantly high in Matigara black (16.27ml) and Tr20 (14.21ml) when compared to other varieties. Overall the mulberry variety S1708 showed better results in many propagation characters followed by TR8 and TR20 mulberry varieties. Key Words: Growth, mulberry germplasm; sprouting; survival; rooting; root length, root volume