DefinePK

Abstract

ABSTRACT Rearing of silkworm is an ancient industry which is very productive, requires low investment, offers high potential return and thus saves foreign exchange spent on the import of silk yarn. The actual income obtained from this industry not only depends on the quality of good silk seed but also on the quality and quantity of mulberry leaves obtained per unit area. All managed plantation of one hectare dwarf mulberry can yield enough leaves to provide 750 kg of green silk cocoons or 93 kg raw silk (Zafarud Din et al., 1983). Dwarf multicut varieties of mulberry with plant height less than 10 feet are generally cultivated for sericulture in many countries like Japan, China, and Korea while in Pakistan major source of mulberry leaves for silk worm rearing is the high trunk mulberry varieties; which are low yielding and deciduous in nature. There is, therefore, scarcity of mulberry leaves in the country and exists a great demand for introduction of dwarf, high yielding and nutritive mulberry varieties for the upkeep of sericulture industry in Pakistan. The present study was conducted to evaluate and select some promising high foliage varieties of mulberry from exotic sources.