LEAF MOISTURE STATUS OF SOME MULBERRY GENOTYPES AS INFLUENCED BY THEIR FOLIAR ANATOMY.

Mulberry is an important perennial crop grown primarily for foliage to rear the silkworm Bombyx mori L. for the production of cocoons. Among many other constituents, moisture content in mulberry leaf and its retention for longer durations play an important role in the successful production of cocoons. The study conducted on seven mulberry genotypes growing as trees under rain fed conditions in Kashmir showed that the genotypes differ in the leaf moisture and its retention, with Goshoerami registering the maximum values. The moisture retention capacity after six hours and 12 hours of harvest in spring and early autumn was also significantly higher in Goshoerami. This may be due to more thickness of upper cuticle cum epidermis, stomata of smaller dimensions and more thickness of leaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]