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Mulberry is a multipurpose tree in horticulture. Besides nutritional importance, it is used for raising silkworms, fodder and landscape. These is quite a wide genetic diversity among different mulberry genotypes. The present study was undertaken to evaluate certain morphological and biochemical properties of 20 genotypes of Morus alba, M. rubra, and M. nigra species distributed in Golestan Province, northern Iran. The highest leaf length (15.51 cm), petiole length (5.37 cm), vitamin C (4.34 mg/100 g) and phenol (31.89 mg/g) were recorded in M12 genotype. The highest fruit length (5.52 cm), pedicle length (17 mm), soluble solids (18.26%) and sucrose (31.64 mg/g) were recorded in M10 genotype. The amount of glucose (288.82 mg/g) and fructose (121.97 mg/g) were also dominant in M17 genotype. The utmost fruit fresh and dry weights (0.3-67.80 g), fruit diameter (1.99 cm), leaf width (11.94 cm) and flavonoids (24.67 mg/g) were also observed in the M20 genotype. The M1 and M2 genotypes had higher anthocyanin (1.13 µmol/g) and total antioxidant activity (66.71%) compared to other genotypes. Furthermore, fruit fresh and dry weights were positively correlated with fruit length and diameter, pedicle length, and leaf and petiole length. The highest positive correlation was observed among anthocyanin, vitamin C and phenols. The morphological and biochemical traits explained 99 % of the total variance of four and three main components. The results of cluster analysis grouped these genotypes into 3 main groups. Therefore, the highest heritability and genetic advance were found for fruit weight, petiole length, leaf width, antioxidant activity, fructose and flavonoids. The valuable pomological traits recorded for some genotypes may be useful for future breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is an economically important plant, and Iran is among the most important mulberry producer countries. Meager information is available on the number of mulberry species and the characteristics of genotypes in Kerman Province. In this study, we used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to categorize a number of important mulberry traits from different parts of Kerman. A total of fifteen white and black mulberry genotypes were selected from four regions located in different parts of Kerman Province, in 2021. Fourteen qualitative and 15 quantitative variables were measured. The highest and the lowest Coefficient of Variance (CV) was found for leaf shape and fruit length, respectively. The strongest positive correlation was obtained between the number of second-degree shoots and number of shoots. PCA showed that the first five and six components among qualitative and quantitative variables explained 87.82 and 90.87% of the total variation, respectively. The dendrogram biplot classified genotypes into five groups based on quantitative and into four distinct groups in accordance to qualitative variables. The grouping of genotypes did not follow their geographical origin. This study revealed high morphological diversity in the mulberry genotypes dispersed in Kerman, supporting their potential uses for mulberry breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the application of Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy as a noninvasive technique combined with chemometric methods has been widely noted for quality evaluation of agricultural products. Mulberry (Morus alba var. nigra L.) is a native fruit of Iran and there is limited information about its quality characteristics. The present study aims at assessing a nondestructive optical method for determining the internal quality of mulberry juice. To do so, first, FT‐IR spectra were acquired in the spectral range 1000–8333 nm. Then, the principal component analysis (PCA) was used to extract the principal components (PCs) which were given as inputs to three predictive models (support vector regression (SVR), partial least square (PLS), and artificial neural network (ANN)) to predict the internal parameters of the mulberry juice. The performance of predictive models showed that SVR got better results for the prediction of ascorbic acid (R2 =.84, RMSE = 0.29), acidity (R2 =.71, RMSE = 0.0004), phenol (R2 =.35, RMSE = 0.19), total anthocyanin (R2 =.93, RMSE = 5.85), and browning (R2 =.89, RMSE = 0.062) compared to PLS and ANN. However, the ANN predicted the parameters TSS (R2 =.98, RMSE = 0.003) and pH (R2 =.99, RMSE = 0.0009) better than the other two models. The results indicated that a good prediction performance was obtained using the FT‐IR technique along with SVR and this method could be easily adapted to detect the quality parameters of mulberry juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aleuroclava jasmini (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a major insect pest of paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) in Iran, negatively affecting its production. Considering the importance of oils in the integrated management programs of such pests, the present study examined the possibility of whitefly control on paper mulberry plant to assess mortality rate (MR), synergistic rate (SR), resistance rate (RR), and lethal concentration for 50% of the population (LC50) of oils and common insecticide in populations from four areas of Tehran, Iran (one susceptible and three non-susceptible). The best chemical treatments against A. jasmini adults and nymphs in paper mulberry plants were neem oil (1 ml L−1) mixed with deltamethrin (0.5 ml L−1) or with buprofezin (1 ml L−1). The neem, akylarylpolyglyglycol ether and volk oils mixed with deltamethrin or buprofezin also had synergistic effects on adults and nymphs of A. jasmini, respectively, in Azadi, Shahrake Gharb, and Vanak areas (non-susceptible populations), but with higher concentrations (> LC50) and lower SR than in Garm Dareh area (susceptible population). We observed that A. jasmini adults showed the greatest resistance to deltamethrin in Vanak area and nymphs of this pest to buprofezin in Shahrake Gharb area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dust is one of the main environmental challenges in most arid zone cities of Iran. Tree plantation and forest belts can provide a cost-effective and ecofriendly solution to mitigate dust pollution. Air pollution tolerance index (APTI) based on a combination of total chlorophyll (TChl), relative water content (RWC), ascorbic acid (AsA), and leaf pH is considered as one of the most important means for determining sensitive and tolerant plant species for greening. The present study aimed to evaluate the dust capturing efficiency and APTI of Fraxinus rotundifolia Mill., Morus alba L., Celtis caucasica Willd., and Melia azedarach L., four tree species commonly used in urban green areas of most cities in Iran. As a completely randomized design, 256 saplings were grown in four plastic sheets (64 saplings of four species in each chamber) and the dust was applied at concentrations of 0, 300, 750, and 1500 µg m-3 once a week for 70 days. The results revealed that dust accumulation was greatest in the 750 and 1500 µg m-3 treatment in the following order: M. alba > C. caucasica > F. rotundifolia > M. azedarach. In all species, pH, RWC, AsA, and TChl diminished with increasing dust concentration. A decline in APTI of 0 to 1500 µg m-3 was observed in all species. At 750 µg m-3, only M. alba was tolerant to dust and the other species were intermediate. At 1500 µg m-3, M. alba and M. azedarach showed to be intermediate while two other species were sensitive. The greatest relationship was found between APTI and RWC (R2= 0.85), followed by APTI and AsA (R2 = 0.82). Although C. caucasica showed a high capacity for dust accumulation at 1500 µg m-3, it was found to be sensitive and can, therefore, be used as a dust pollution bioindicator. F. rotundifolia and C. caucasica are not suitable for plantation in urban green spaces where dust concentration is 1500 µg m-3. M. alba appeared to be a tolerant species adaptable to arid urban environments with a potential for reducing dust levels by sinking its particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Different types of silkworms are currently raised for silk production in Iran. • The economic trait of silkworm farming is cocoon production. • Efficient feed conversion ratio and manure production depend on the genetic of silkworms. • Different hybrids displayed different production performance and economic traits. • Profitability, eco-compatibility and efficiency pointed to hybrids 32 × 31, 153 × 154 and 104 × 103 as the best performing Iranian hybrids out of eight hybrid lines. Production performance of silkworm (Bombyx mori L., 1758) play a pivotal role in sericulture industry and good quality cocoon represents the economic driver of farms. Silkworms are monophagus insects and differences between cocoon characteristics may depend both on mulberry tree leaves quality as well as on genetic selection of hybrid lines. While a huge work was carried out to identify the best feeding sources to optimize yields, genetic types of silkworms with desirable production and economic traits were studied to a limited extent to date. This experimental feeding trial was carried out using a commercial variety of mulberry tree leaves (Morus alba var. Ichinose) to feed a total of 1600 silkworms in 4 replicates, allotted into 32 box consisting of 50 larvae each. Feed consumption, manure production and feed conversion ratios were monitored throughout the experimental period across five instars of 8 hybrid lines (200 larvae each). Efficiency, Profitability and Eco-compatibility were identified as criteria to evaluate the best performing hybrid lines: in descending order hybrids 32 × 31, 153 × 154 and 104 × 103 have appeared the best in terms of feed conversion ratio to larva weight gain and to cocoon weight, shell to cocoon ratio and wet manure per g of dry matter intake per silkworm. Our results point to promising outcomes as to animal selection to improve yields of silk production at farm level. Sustainable and modern sericulture industry can therefore point to raise genetically selected hybrid lines of silkworms together with opportune feeding practices, to optimize feed conversions and rationalize manure in farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulberries are cultivated for different purposes: for feeding larvae of silkworm,Bombyx mori, as fresh and dry food resources, in wood instrument industry, in pharmaceutical industry and as outdoor ornamental trees in Iran. In recent years, twig and branch canker disease symptoms have been noticed on mulberry trees in northwestern parts of Iran.Diplodiaisolates were repeatedly recovered from symptomatic tissues. Based on cultural and morphological features, the isolates were identified asDiplodia seriata. The identity of the isolates was further confirmed using sequence data from internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-rDNA and ef-1α gene. A phylogenetic analysis using ITS sequence data clustered the isolates obtained in this study together with knownDiplodia seriataisolates of other woody hosts from GenBank. Inoculation studies carried out on white mulberry twigs using an excised shoot method revealed that the isolates are pathogenic on this host.D. seriatahave been reported from other woody host plant species such asJuglans nigraandVitis viniferain Iran, however, to the best of our knowledge, the occurrence ofD. seriataon mulberry trees is new for Iran. The distribution and reaction of differentMorusspp. toD. seriataremain to be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Insect phenoloxidase (EC 1.14.18.1) is the key enzyme in the development and immunity of insects, and its inhibition provides a new target for pest control. TheGlyphodes pyloalisWalker is an important pest of mulberry trees in north of Iran and this pest interferes with the sericulture by feeding on mulberry leaves. In this investigation of alternative insect control agents, we have bioassayed 4-hexylresorcinol againstG. pyloalisunder laboratory conditions. Lethal dose (LD50) for the last instar larvae was estimated as 5.03 g/l after 96 h exposure. Also, the effects of 4-hexylresorcinol concentrations on glutathioneS-transferase and phenoloxidase activities were measured, and the results showed that by increasing the concentration of 4-hexylresorcinol the activity of both enzymes is decreased. The IC50of quercetin, kojic acid and 4-hexylresorcinol on haemolymph phenoloxidase activity, partially purified using gel filtration, was 7.39, 25.98 and 4.35 μM, respectively. The inhibitory potency of 4-hexylresorcinol was 5.03- and 1.5-fold higher than kojic acid and quercetin, respectively. Also, optimal pH for the haemolymph phenoloxidase was 7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a research conducted in order to evaluate the insecticidal activity of methanol leaf extract of the sweet wormwood Artemisia annua against the larvae of the lesser mulberry pyralid Glyphodes pyloalis observed in Guilan province, Iran. It discusses the effect of lethal concentration (LC), 50 percent and LC20 doses on toxicity, larval, pupal and adult duration, mean daily fecundity, percent hatchability, and different digestive and detoxifying enzymes.

Iran is a wast country with many different tree species. Among those there are two species of Morus genus including alba and nigra. Since long time ago, white mulberry's wood (Moms alba) has been used for making musical instruments especially bowl shaped instruments in Iran. In contrast, black mulberry's wood (Morus nigra) has never been used for these types of applications. In order to investigate the possible replacement choices, this study has been carried out to investigate the anatomical differences and similarities between these two species. Wood samples of the two species have been collected from same site and microsections for light microscopic studies and maceration samples have been prepared. The anatomical characteristics were studied according to the IAWA List of Hardwoods. Use most important similarities between them are: vessel solitary in short radial multiples or irregular clusters, fiber nonseprate, rays tusiseriate and nsultiseriate type, paratracheal parenchynsa, varying from vasicentric to aliform confluent, apotracheal as marginal bands, Rhombic crystals present in rays and sometimes in parenchyma. The main differences are: semi-ring porous distribution of vessels in M. alba, fewer number of vessels and presence of aliform parenchyma in M. nigma. Taking these results into consideration, the most important fratures of both species are similar and it could be recommended to use the nigra species as well as the alba for making musical instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of mulberry leaves showing vein clearing, yellow speckle and leaf deformation symptoms were collected in the Fars Province of Iran. Grafting of buds from affected trees onto a number of healthy mulberry rootstocks resulted in transmission of the pathogen 40 days postinoculation. Likewise, mechanical inoculation of sap from affected leaves resulted in induction of similar symptoms in mulberry seedlings. Total nucleic acid was extracted from leaf tissues and subjected to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction ( RT- PCR) using Hop stunt viroid ( HSVd) and Citrus exocortis viroid ( CEVd)-specific primers, followed by sequencing of PCR products. RT- PCR with HSVd primers amplified a 302- or 305-bp product from affected samples, but none from healthy plants. CEVd was not detected in affected trees. HSVd was also found in graft- and mechanically inoculated plants. Sequence analyses showed three variants of HSVd in symptomatic mulberries related to plum and peach variants of this viroid with 94.9% identity, but with only 93% identity to Lebanese and Italian mulberry isolates. This is the first report of HSVd associated with vein clearing in mulberry in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]