Mulberry Plants Research Articles

Response of growth and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of mulberry seedlings to waterlogging stress

This study aimed to investigate the adaptive mechanisms of mulberry (Morus alba) to waterlogged conditions, with a specific focus on the development of adventitious roots (ARs), alteration of growth strategies, and adjustment of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters. To achieve this goal, 4-year-old potted mulberry plants were selected for research, and a waterlogging simulation method was implemented. Four treatments were established to investigate the effects of varying water conditions on leaf waterlogging damage, the number of ARs, plant height, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and proton motive force (pmf) parameters in mulberry plants. These treatments included the control group (CK), shallow submerged group (SS), half-submerged group (HS) and deep submerged group (DS). Our results showed that (1) The number of ARs in each group increased with increasing waterlogging time. (2) Waterlogging stress inhibited the height growth of mulberry, and the changes in plant height in the HS and DS groups were significantly lower than those in the CK and SS groups. (3) The maximum photochemical quantum yield (Fv/Fm) in the HS and DS groups decreased significantly under waterlogging stress. The nonphotochemical quenching (NPQt) of mulberry leaves in the submergence group increased significantly in the early stage of waterlogging stress, and the NPQt in the submergence group increased continuously with increasing waterlogging time. (4) Thylakoid conductivity to protons (gH+) in the leaves of mulberry decreased significantly under waterlogging stress, whereas the steady-state rate of proton flux (vH+) and total electrochromic shift (ECSt) increased significantly. The morphological, physiological, and ecological responses of mulberry plants to waterlogging stress include the timely generation of ARs at the stem base, the adjustment of plant growth strategies, and the repair of photosynthetic response centers in leaves through heat dissipation and thylakoid acidification mechanisms.

V2 Protein Enhances the Replication of Genomic DNA of Mulberry Crinkle Leaf Virus.

Mulberry crinkle leaf virus (MCLV), identified in mulberry plants (Morus alba L.), is a member of the genus Mulcrilevirus in the family Geminiviridae. The functions of the V2 protein encoded by MCLV remain unclear. Here, Agrobacterium-mediated infectious clones of a wild-type MCLV vII (MCLVWT) and two V2 mutant MCLV vIIs, including MCLVmV2 (with a mutation of the start codon of the V2 ORF) and MCLVdV2 (5'-end partial deletion of the V2 ORF sequence), were constructed to investigate the roles of V2 both in planta and at the cellular level. Although all three constructs (pCA-1.1MCLVWT, pCA-MCLVmV2, and pCA-MCLVdV2) were able to infect both natural host mulberry plants and experimental tomato plants systematically, the replication of the MCLVmV2 and MCLVdV2 genomes in these hosts was significantly reduced compared to that of MCLVWT. Similarly, the accumulation of MCLVmV2 and MCLVdV2 in protoplasts of Nicotiana benthamiana plants was significantly lower than that of MCLVWT either 24 h or 48 h post-transfection. A complementation experiment further confirmed that the decreased accumulation of MCLV in the protoplasts was due to the absence of V2 expression. These results revealed that MCLV-encoded V2 greatly enhances the level of MCLV DNA accumulation and is designated the replication enhancer protein of MCLV.

Identification of the Optimal Quantitative RT-PCR Reference Gene for Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera).

Paper Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) possesses medicinal, economic, and ecological significance and is extensively used for feed production, papermaking, and ecological restoration due to its ease of propagation, rapid growth rate, and strong stress resistance. The recent completion of the sequencing of the Paper Mulberry genome has prompted further research into the genetic breeding and molecular biology of this important species. A highly stable reference gene is essential to enhance the quantitative analysis of functional genes in Paper Mulberry; however, none has been identified. Accordingly, in this study, the leaves, stems, roots, petioles, young fruits, and mature fruits of Paper Mulberry plants were selected as experimental materials, and nine candidate reference genes, namely, α-TUB1, α-TUB2, β-TUB, H2A, ACT, DnaJ, UBQ, CDC2, and TIP41, were identified by RT-qPCR. Their stability was assessed using the geNorm, Normfinder, Delta Ct, BestKeeper, and RefFinder algorithms, identifying ACT and UBQ as showing the greatest stability. The expression of BpMYB090, which regulates the production of trichomes, was examined in the leaves of plants of the wild type (which have more trichomes) and mutant (which have fewer trichomes) at various developmental stages to validate the results of this study. As a result, their identification addresses a critical gap in the field of Paper Mulberry research, providing a solid foundation for future research that will concentrate on the characterization of pertinent functional genes in this economically valuable species.

Screening of Germplasm Accessions for Breeding Programme Specific to Mulberry Fruit Production

The present study evaluates the screening of germplasm accession for breeding programme specific with mulberry fruit production. Mulberry plants are heterozygous species due to their wide range of character differences and capacity to adapt to cross-pollination in the absence of inter-specific reproductive barriers. Since every plant in a natural population is unique, it is challenging to compile data and conduct research on how various edaphic conditions affect the expression of genotypic features in order to assess variations. In lieu of this known diversity for posterity, the collection of mulberry genotypes from diverse genetic sources, their conservation, evaluation and consequent documentation is of prime importance. In the present study, 71 mulberry accessions were characterized for morphology, reproductive and 37 fruit parameters. Based on multiple trait analysis, 14 top performing accessions viz., Mysore local, MI-11 and MI-012, ME-182, S-34, S-1635, MI-143, MI-47, MI-04, MI-79, Srinagar local, MI-231, China white, MI-07, MI-524, M. laevigata, M5, C-20, ME-224, MI-231, ME-185, ME-65, China white were identified. These accessions could serve as resources for further evaluation aimed at trait-specific crop improvement.

Evaluating the Effects of Capacity Building and Training (CBT) on Sericulture Practices of Farmers in Rajouri District of Jammu and Kashmir, India

This study examines the effects of capacity building and training (CBT) on sericulture farmers in Rajouri district, Jammu and Kashmir UT. The research focuses on socio-economic and communication characteristics of sericulture farmers and evaluates the impact of CBT on their farming practices. A total of 25 sericulture farmers from sub-district Nowshera in Rajouri district were selected using simple random sampling. Data on registered farmers were obtained from the Department of Sericulture, Government of Jammu and Kashmir. Paired t-tests was employed to analyze the impact of CBT after implementation. The findings reveal significant improvements in various aspects of sericulture after CBT intervention. There was a notable increase in average seed intake, cocoon production, total family income, and income from sericulture. Furthermore, the mortality rate of silkworms decreased significantly after CBT training. The area under mulberry plantation and the number of mulberry plants also witnessed substantial increases post-training. Additionally, the application of disinfectant and the number of government schemes availed showed significant improvements. Overall, the study highlights the importance of CBT in enhancing the technical capabilities of sericulture farmers and improving their farming practices. The results underscore the significance of providing training in modern technology, integrated pest management, and disease management to enhance production outcomes in Sericulture.

Analysis of economic viability of commercial mulberry saplings regeneration using conventional stem propagation method

The economics of stem cutting propagation in mulberry provides a profound insight into the cost-effectiveness and financial benefits of this method compared to other propagation techniques. Stem cutting propagation are widely recognized for its efficiency which involves taking cuttings from a mature mulberry plant and rooting them to produce new plants. This method is particularly advantageous due to its lower initial costs and simplicity compared to alternatives like tissue culture or seed propagation. Economically, stem cutting eliminates the need for expensive seeds and reduces the risk associated with seedling variability thereby leading to more consistent crop quality and yield. The initial capital investment is relatively modest and covering primarily labour and materials for the cuttings and rooting environment. Furthermore, the reduced time frame for producing mature plants accelerates the return on investment thereby providing a quicker pathway to profitability. Analyzing the cost components including labour, equipment and consumables, reveals that while there are ongoing expenses such as maintenance and care of the cuttings these are often outweighed by the savings and benefits derived from a successful propagation cycle. Stem cutting propagation also offers scalability thereby allowing for the expansion of mulberry cultivation with minimal additional costs. The method's ultimate economic advantage lies in its capacity to deliver high-quality, uniform plants at a lower cost, enhancing the overall productivity of mulberry farms. Additionally, examining case studies and regional data highlights variations in economic outcomes based on local conditions, such as soil quality, climate and market access. The ultimate success and profitability of stem cutting propagation are influenced by these factors which can either amplify or mitigate the method’s inherent advantages. In regions where conditions are optimal, the benefits of stem cutting propagation are maximized thereby leading to substantial economic gains.

Impact of Bioagents on Growth and Yield Parameters of Root-knot Nematode Infested Mulberry Plants

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) is a vital crop for sericulture and its productivity is crucial for the industry's sustainability. This study investigated the influence of bioagents viz., Purpureocillium lilacinum, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride, Pochonia clamydosporia and Pseudomonas fluorescens, alongside control treatments including carbofuran 3G and neem cake on growth and yield parameters in severely root-knot nematode infested mulberry plants. The treatments involved are generally recommended to manage root-knot nematode infestation. The results revealed that T. viride @ 5 kg/ha significantly improved plant growth, leaf area and leaf yield leading to enhanced productivity. The findings of this study underscore the potential of bioagents in fostering environmentally sustainable and economically viable sericulture. Aims: The study aims to assess the impact of bioagents on growth and yield parameters of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita infested mulberry plants. Study Design: The data collected from the experimental field were analyzed statistically by using one-way RCBD. Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was carried out in the root-knot nematode infested mulberry garden in Kalyapura Village, Shidlaghatta Taluk, Chikkaballapura District, Eastern Dry Zone (Zone-5) of Karnataka, India between January to September 2022, covering three harvests. Methodology: The treatments were incorporated near the root zone of mulberry plants within a week after pruning as per the recommendations. The observations were recorded once before the imposition of the treatments (initial) and during the first (60 DAT) and second (120 DAT) shoot harvests in mulberry after imposing the treatments. Results: Among the bioagents Trichoderma viride showed better results for shoot height (120.00 cm), number of leaves per plant (511.75), leaf area (102.10 cm2) and leaf yield per plant (528.38 g) during the second harvest i.e., 120 DAT. The minimum leaf yield per plant was recorded in the untreated check (216.43 g). Conclusion: Incorporating T. viride @ 5 kg/ha mixed with 5 tons FYM near the root zone of mulberry infested with RKN showed promising results in promoting plant growth and yield.

The Mechanism of the Development and Maintenance of Sexual Dimorphism in the Dioecious Mulberry Plant (Morus alba).

Intersexual differentiation is crucial for the speciation and maintenance of dioecious plants, but the underlying mechanisms, including the genes involved, are still poorly understood. Here, we focused on a typical dioicous plant Morus alba, to explore the molecular footprints relevant to sex evolution by revealing the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between two sexes and the testing signals of selection for these DEGs. From the results, we found a total of 1543 DEGs. Interestingly, 333 and 66 genes expression were detected only in male and female inflorescences, respectively. Using comparative transcriptomics, the expression of 841 genes were found to be significantly higher in male than in female inflorescences and were mainly enriched in defense-related pathways including the biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids, cutin, suberine and waxes. Meanwhile, the expression of 702 genes was female-biased and largely enriched in pathways related to growth and development, such as carbohydrate metabolism, auxin signaling and cellular responses. In addition, 16.7% and 17.6% signals of selection were significantly detected in female- and male-biased genes, respectively, suggesting their non-negligible role in evolution. Our findings expanded the understanding of the molecular basis of intersexual differentiation and contribute to further research on sex evolution in dioecious plants.

Increased nitrogen accumulation in mulberry trees due to the secretion of glomalin-related soil protein induced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

In the initial stages of restoring areas affected by rocky desertification, plant survival is strongly influenced by nitrogen nutrition. Mycorrhization is a unique type of inter-root engineering that improves nitrogen acquisition efficiency by plant roots. We selected potted mulberry trees inoculated, two dominant arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) with Funneliformis mosseae (Fm) and Rhizophagus intraradices (Ri), to clarify the effects of AMF on the root nitrogen content of mulberry trees. Meanwhile, the key factors of soil nitrogen changes caused by AMF were analyzed, based on the primary role of soil nitrogen as the source of root nitrogen. Simultaneously, the potential of AMF to promote the acquisition of different forms of nitrogen by mulberry roots was investigated. Our findings indicate that the inoculation of mulberry plants with Fm and Ri, improved plant height and increased nitrogen accumulation in the roots and shoots. Additionally, AMF regulates nitrogen transformation, significantly increasing soil nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) levels. The results indicated that soil NH4+-N, NO3−-N, and DON contributed to the observed changes in root nitrogen accumulation. The largest contribution (22.0 %) to the overall effect size was made by NO3−-N. AMF stimulated soil microbial activity and significantly increased soil glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP), enzyme activity, and soil microbial biomass (SMB). Urease activity and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) both increased exponentially by 118.7 % and 115.2 %, respectively. Higher GRSP, enzyme activity, and SMB were positively correlated with changes in soil nitrogen patterns, and GRSP had the most significant effect on changes in the soil nitrogen dynamics. Our study confirmed that inoculation with AMF not only regulates soil nitrogen dynamics but also diversifies plant nitrogen sources. This is achieved by increasing plant growth and enhancing soil microbial activity. Ultimately, this enhances plant root nitrogen nutrition. Therefore, AMF promote root nitrogen accumulation and enhance root nitrogen uptake through GRSP-regulated soil nitrogen, providing a theoretical basis for the management of rocky desertification.

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in various parts of Morus alba L. Cv. ichinose: a comparative analysis

Present investigation was undertaken to assess the composition of bioactive compounds within various parts of methanolic extracts from mulberry plants utilizing both High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometric methodologies. Furthermore, the antioxidant potential was evaluated through assays including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), β-carotene bleaching (BCBA), and Hydroxyl Radical Scavenging Activity (HRSA). This research incorporated the analysis of the fruit, root, shoot, and leaf of the mulberry (Morus alba L.) Cv. Ichinose. Findings from the investigation revealed that levels of total phenols (533.8 ± 15.6 mg/100 g) and flavonoids (232.3 ± 7.1 mg/100 g) were notably higher in fruit compared to root, while total ascorbic acid content (70.9 ± 3.1 mg/100 g) was significantly elevated in the leaf. The fruit exhibited a significantly higher concentration of total anthocyanins (142.5 ± 3.1 mg/100 g), whereas the leaf contained a substantial amount of total carotenoids (5.8 ± 0.3 mg/100 g). Predominant phenolic acids detected in mulberry included ferulic acid, m-coumaric acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and gallic acid. Quercetin and isoquercetin were identified as the major flavonoids in mulberry fruits. In terms of anthocyanins, cyanidin-3-rutinoside (25.6 ± 2.3 mg/100 g) and cyanidin-3-glucoside (16.4 ± 2.1 mg/100 g) were the primary anthocyanins present in the fruit. The main carotenoid found in the leaf was beta-carotene, with levels reaching 2.1 ± 0.3 mg/100 g. Fruit displayed the highest antioxidant activity among all parts examined. Comparison of the EC50 values of fruit (EC50 = 174.2 ± 2.2 µg/mL), root (EC50 = 179.6 ± 2.3 µg/mL), and shoot (EC50 = 189.4 ± 2.1) suggested that these segments of the mulberry plant could potentially function as antioxidants and could exhibit a greater hydroxyl radical scavenging effect than standard antioxidants.

Determination of Some Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Plum (Prunus domestica), Black Mulberry (Morus Nigra) and Carob (Ceratoniasiliqua L.) Fruits

Objective: Antioxidants prevent and/or slow down many adverse effects on the body, especially oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Phenolic compounds in fruits and vegetables have beneficial effects by neutralizing free radicals. Since most phenolic compounds have antioxidant effects, they help to protect cells against oxidative damage caused by free radicals. In our study, we aimed to determine some enzyme activities thought to be present in black plum, carob and black mulberry plants. Material and Methods: In this study, antioxidant enzyme activities were determined using the spectrophotometric method. The extracts of the fruits used in the study were measured manually by preparing reagent solutions. Statistical significance level was taken as 5%, and SPSS 26 statistical package program was used for calculations. Results: Plum (prunus domestica), black mulberry (morusnigra) and carob (ceratoniasiliqua) fruits were found to have higher Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) values. SOD and CAT values were much higher in black mulberry than in white mulberry. CAT activity was low in black plum and high in green plum. Similarly, SOD activity was low in black plum and high in green plum. Green plum was significantly higher than black plum in terms of both CAT and SOD activity. SOD activity measured in carob was almost twice as high as CAT activity. Conclusion: Antioxidants, which are known to be effective against diabetes, the disease of our age, and many various diseases, protect the body against diseases. Due to the high amounts of antioxidants found in black mulberry, carob and plum, adding extracts to the treatment of chronic patients can stop and/or slow the progression of diseases.

Biosynthesis and Pharmacological Activities of the Bioactive Compounds of White Mulberry (Morus alba): Current Paradigms and Future Challenges.

Traditional natural products have been the focus of research to explore their medicinal properties. One such medicinally important plant is the white mulberry, Morus alba, widely distributed in the Asian subcontinent. It is one of the most cultivated species of mulberry tree and has attracted more focus from researchers because of its abundance in phytochemicals as well as multipurpose uses. The leaves, fruits and other parts of the white mulberry plant act as a source of valuable bioactive compounds like flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids and alkaloids. These secondary metabolites have manifold healthy uses as they possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, neutrotrophic, and anticancer properties. Despite the increasing scientific interest in this plant, there are very few reviews that highlight the phytochemistry and biological potential of white mulberry for biomedical research. To this end, this review elaborates the phytochemistry, biosynthetic pathways and pharmacological activities of the glycoside flavonoids of Morus alba. A comprehensive analysis of the available literature indicates that Morus alba could emerge as a promising natural agent to combat diverse conditions including diabetes, cancer, inflammation and infectious diseases. To achieve such important objectives, it is crucial to elucidate the biosynthesis and regulation mechanisms of the bioactive compounds in white mulberry as well as the multifaceted pharmacological effects attributed to this plant resource. The present review paper is intended to present a summary of existing scientific data and a guide for further research in the phytochemistry and pharmacology of white mulberry. Further, a biosynthetic pathway analysis of the glycoside flavonoid in mulberry is also given. Lastly, we discuss the pros and cons of the current research to ensure the prudent and effective therapeutic value of mulberry for promoting human and animal health.

Potential Involvement of MnCYP710A11 in Botrytis cinerea Resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana and Morus notabilis.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) is a crucial oxidoreductase enzyme that plays a significant role in plant defense mechanisms. In this study, a specific cytochrome P450 gene (MnCYP710A11) was discovered in mulberry (Morus notabilis). Bioinformatic analysis and expression pattern analysis were conducted to elucidate the involvement of MnCYP710A11 in combating Botrytis cinerea infection. After the infection of B. cinerea, there was a notable increase in the expression of MnCYP710A11. MnCYP710A11 is overexpressed in Arabidopsis and mulberry and strongly reacts to B. cinerea. The overexpression of the MnCYP710A11 gene in Arabidopsis and mulberry led to a substantial enhancement in resistance against B. cinerea, elevated catalase (CAT) activity, increased proline content, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. At the same time, H2O2 and O2- levels in MnCYP710A11 transgenic Arabidopsis were decreased, which reduced the damage of ROS accumulation to plants. Furthermore, our research indicates the potential involvement of MnCYP710A11 in B. cinerea resistance through the modulation of other resistance-related genes. These findings establish a crucial foundation for gaining deeper insights into the role of cytochrome P450 in mulberry plants.

Metabolomics and physio-chemical analyses of mulberry plants leaves response to manganese deficiency and toxicity reveal key metabolites and their pathways in manganese tolerance.

Manganese (Mn) plays a pivotal role in plant growth and development. Aside aiding in plant growth and development, Mn as heavy metal (HM) can be toxic in soil when applied in excess. Morus alba is an economically significant plant, capable of adapting to a range of environmental conditions and possessing the potential for phytoremediation of contaminated soil by HMs. The mechanism by which M. alba tolerates Mn stresses remains obscure. In this study, Mn concentrations comprising sufficiency (0.15 mM), higher regimes (1.5 mM and 3 mM), and deficiency (0 mM and 0.03 mM), were applied to M. alba in pot treatment for 21 days to understand M. alba Mn tolerance. Mn stress effects on the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), chlorophyll content, plant morphological traits, enzymatic and non-enzymatic parameters were analyzed as well as metabolome signatures via non-targeted LC-MS technique. Mn deficiency and toxicity decrease plant biomass, Pn, Ci, Gs, Tr, and chlorophyll content. Mn stresses induced a decline in the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), while peroxidase (POD) activity, and leaf Mn content, increased. Soluble sugars, soluble proteins, malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline exhibited an elevation in Mn deficiency and toxicity concentrations. Metabolomic analysis indicates that Mn concentrations induced 1031 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs), particularly amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, benzene and derivatives and secondary metabolites. The DEMs are significantly enriched in alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, galactose metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, pentose phosphate pathway, carbon metabolism, etc. The upregulation of Galactinol, Myo-inositol, Jasmonic acid, L-aspartic acid, Coproporphyrin I, Trigonelline, Pantothenol, and Pantothenate and their significance in the metabolic pathways makes them Mn stress tolerance metabolites in M. alba. Our findings reveal the fundamental understanding of DEMs in M. alba's response to Mn nutrition and the metabolic mechanisms involved, which may hold potential significance for the advancement of M. alba genetic improvement initiatives and phytoremediation programs.

Potential Role and Mechanism of Mulberry Extract in Immune Modulation: Focus on Chemical Compositions, Mechanistic Insights, and Extraction Techniques.

Mulberry is a rapidly growing plant that thrives in diverse climatic, topographical, and soil types, spanning temperature and temperate countries. Mulberry plants are valued as functional foods for their abundant chemical composition, serving as a significant reservoir of bioactive compounds like proteins, polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids. Moreover, these compounds displayed potent antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals, inhibiting reactive oxygen species generation, and restoring elevated nitric oxide production induced by LPS stimulation through the downregulation of inducible NO synthase expression. Active components like oxyresveratrol found in Morus demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting leukocyte migration through the MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Gallic and chlorogenic acids in mulberry leaves (ML) powder-modulated TNF, IL-6, and IRS1 proteins, improving various inflammatory conditions by immune system modulation. As we delve deeper into understanding its anti-inflammatory potential and how it works therapeutically, it is crucial to refine the extraction process to enhance the effectiveness of its bioactive elements. Recent advancements in extraction techniques, such as solid-liquid extraction, pressurized liquid extraction, superficial fluid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and ultrasonic-assisted extraction, are being explored. Among the extraction methods tested, including Soxhlet extraction, maceration, and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), UAE demonstrated superior efficiency in extracting bioactive compounds from mulberry leaves. Overall, this comprehensive review sheds light on the potential of mulberry as a natural immunomodulatory agent and provides insights into its mechanisms of action for future research and therapeutic applications.

Molecular phylogeny and secondary structure analysis of hop stunt viroid (HSVd) associated with Mulberry (Morus alba) in India.

Hop stunt viroid (HSVd), a small, single stranded, circular, non-coding infectious RNA known to cause infection in various economically important crop plants. In the present investigation, a study was conducted in the southern part of Karnataka districts of India to detect the possible association of HSVd infection in mulberry plants. A total of 41 mulberry plants showing typical viroid-like symptoms along with asymptomatic samples were collected and screened using conventional Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) using a specific set of HSVd-Fw/ HSVd-Re primers. Out of 41 samples, the study confirmed the presence of HSVd in six samples of mulberry collected from Ramanagara (1 sample), Chikkaballapur (3 samples) and Doddaballapura (2 samples) regions with an expected HSVd amplicon size of ∼ 290-300 nucleotides. The mechanical transmission of HSVd was also confirmed on cucumber (cv. Suyo) seedlings through bioassay, which was reconfirmed by RT-PCR. The amplicons were cloned, sequenced, and the representative nucleotide sequences were deposited in the NCBI GenBank. Subsequently, molecular phylogenetic analysis showed that HSVd mulberry isolates from this study were most closely related to grapevine isolates, indicating a common origin. On the other hand, it was shown to belong to a different group from mulberry isolates so far reported from Iran, Italy, Lebanon, and China. The secondary structure analysis of HSVd mulberry Indian isolates exhibited substitutions in the terminal left, pathogenicity, and variable regions compared to those of the Indian grapevine isolates. As far as this study is concerned, HSVd was detected exclusively in some mulberry plants with viral-like symptoms, but the pathogenesis and symptom expression needs to be further investigated to establish the relationship between HSVd and the disease symptoms in the mulberry plants.

Comparative Physio-Biochemical and Transcriptome Analyses Reveal Contrasting Responses to Magnesium Imbalances in Leaves of Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Plants.

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is a major factor limiting the growth and development of plants. Mulberry (Morus alba L.) is an important fruit tree crop that requires Mg for optimal growth and yield, especially in acid soils. However, the molecular mechanism of Mg stress tolerance in mulberry plants remains unknown. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing technology and biochemical analysis to profile the transcriptome and physiological changes of mulberry leaves under different Mg treatments (deficiency: 0 mM, low: 1 mM, moderate low: 2 mM, sufficiency: 3 mM, toxicity: 6 mM, higher toxicity: 9 mM) as T1, T2, T3, CK, T4, T5 treatments, respectively, for 20 days. The results showed that Mg imbalance altered the antioxidant enzymatic activities, such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and non-enzymatic, including soluble protein, soluble sugar, malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline (PRO), contents of the plant. The Mg imbalances disrupted the ultrastructures of the vital components of chloroplast and mitochondria relative to the control. The transcriptome data reveal that 11,030 genes were differentially expressed (DEGs). Genes related to the photosynthetic processes (CAB40, CAB7, CAB6A, CAB-151, CAP10A) and chlorophyll degradation (PAO, CHLASE1, SGR) were altered. Antioxidant genes such as PER42, PER21, and PER47 were downregulated, but DFR was upregulated. The carbohydrate metabolism pathway was significantly altered, while those involved in energy metabolism processes were perturbed under high Mg treatment compared with control. We also identified several candidate genes associated with magnesium homeostasis via RT-qPCR validation analysis, which provided valuable information for further functional characterization studies such as promoter activity assay or gene overexpression experiments using transient expression systems.

Seri-Entrepreneurship: Current Status and Potential Opportunities

The ability of a country or an area to prosper economically is largely depend on entrepreneurship, especially in light of the current unemployment crisis and anticipated technological advancements. The most important issues in the growth of entrepreneurship are not just how to offer chances to entrepreneurs, but also how to provide them substantial support so they may achieve greater success. To this, cultivating mulberry plants, production of disease-free layings, raising of young (chawki) and late-age silkworms for cocoon production, reeling of cocoons (silk reeling) for yarn production, throwing (spinning, warp, and weft production), wet processing (dyeing and printing), weaving (fabric production), modern (computer-aided) and traditional (textile designing) textile marketing and so on are just a few of the varied range of activities that make up the Indian silk industry. Additionally, sericulture products and bye-products have become more significant in the biotechnological, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries, in recent years, for the creation of high-value new goods. Therefore, there is a great deal of opportunity for successful business in the sericulture and seribiotechnology sectors to grow. These opportunities help young people and unemployed women to become successful business owners who both support the workforce and work for themselves. This can help address the issues of unemploymentstandards and in India’s rural and urban areas as well as elevate socioeconomic levels.

A Comparative Biochemical Study of Mulberry (Morus spp.) Mini Clones Over Conventional Stem Cuttings

The mulberry (Morus spp.) plant holds significant value in the sericulture industry, as its foliage serves as a vital source of food for the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori L.). A research study was undertaken to figure out which mulberry variety V1 and MR2 propagated both by stem cuttings and apical cuttings was best performed locally. The investigation was based on biochemical composition including leaf moisture, moisture retention capacity, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, carotenoid, total chlorophyll, nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, soluble protein, total carbohydrates, crude protein, total sugar content present in mulberry leaves. The nutritional status of different mulberry varieties is determined by its biochemical composition present. The findings showed that the mulberry mini-clones 60DAP-AC (V1) and 60DAP-AC (MR2) have registered enhanced nutritional parameters than 90DAP-SC (V1) and 90DAP-SC (MR2) and were therefore best suited for raising silkworms to obtain good cocoon parameters.

Elemental Characterization of Leaf Extracts of Three Different Species of Mulberry: Morus. alba L., Morus. nigra L. and Morus. indica L., Using Inductively Coupled Plasma -Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES)

The present study aimed to compare the elemental composition of leaf extracts from three different plant species of Mulberry, Morus alba L., Morus nigra L., and Morus indica L. The results showed that ten essential elements of biological importance for human metabolism, such as Copper, Chromium, Iron, Manganese, Sodium, Zinc, Calcium, Nickel, Lead, and Cadmium, were present in varying concentrations, well below the World Health Organization, (WHO's) daily intake limits. Mulberry leaves are an economical and readily available source of essential mineral elements vital for human health, which can be used to fortify functional foods, treat various diseases, and act as nutraceuticals. The information obtained could be used to determine the efficacy and dosage of herbal drugs manufactured from the leaf extracts of the Mulberry plant, making it a new contributor to food supplements and nutraceutical products.