Genetic variability and correlation studies in mulberry germplasm.

摘要

The objectives of mulberry (Morus L.) breeding are mainly focused on quantitative and qualitative characters of leaf, the chief source of food for the silkworm, Bombyx mori L. To meet these objectives, large scale, long ranging breeding programmes are required. A little information on biometrical approach to assess the mulberry genetic diversity which is a prerequisite for sound breeding programme is available (Tikader et al., 1999; Rahman et al., 2004, 2006). Since mulberry leaf yield is a complex character and is highly influenced by the environment, the yield as such may not be the best criterion for selection. Therefore, it is important to study the genetics of yield components and their degree of association with yield. These characters need to be integrated and then selection could be effected to get better results (Vijayan et al., 1997; Masilamani and Kamble, 1998; Rahman et al., 2004). The present study was envisaged to obtain information on genotypic and phenotypic variability, heritability (broad sense) and genetic advance for nine characters and to determine the association between these characters in 124 mulberry germplasm accessions.