Different concentrations of four antitranspirants were applied on the foliage of mulberry (Morus alba L.) var. S-1 during the year 1999–2001 with a view to study the physiological activity and leaf yield under water stress condition. CCC increased the photosynthetic rate of mulberry at 54% than that of control in limited irrigated condition. PMA was less effective as compared to CCC, BX-112 and ABA. Accumulation of dry matter of mulberry leaves was observed higher due to CCC application followed by BX-112. The nitrate reductase activity was found maximum in CCC treated plants in two levels of irrigation. The leaf yield was also found maximum in CCC treated mulberry leaves followed by BX-112. The correlation between Photosynthesis and leaf yield, nitrate reductase and leaf yield and nitrate reductase and photosynthesis were found significant.

An investigation was carried out to study the effect antitranspirants on leaf water status and growth pattern of mulberry under two levels of irrigation during the year 1999–2001. Leaf moisture content was observed highest in control under normal irrigated plants while in limited irrigation BX-112 had the maximum followed by CCC. Control had the lowest moisture content. CCC and BX-112 increased the relative water content of mulberry leaves at both the irrigation levels. CCC and BX-112 enhanced total dry matter accumulation particularly in limited irrigation. CCC application augmented the leaf area index. CCC and BX-112 showed the capacity to increase CGR and NAR in terms of growth rate and assimilation under low soil moisture condition.

Fifty-six indigenous and 29 exotic mulberry varieties were screened against powdery mildew, Myrothecium leaf spot, Pseudocercospora leaf spot for a period of three years under field conditions. The percent disease index (PDI) was recorded during the peak season of the diseases. Out of 85 germplasm lines studied four-germplasm lines viz. Thailand lobed (0.43), M. multicaulis (2.63), Italian (2.83) and M. australis (4.56) were found highly resistant; nine lines were resistant; 43 lines were moderately resistant and 29 were susceptible to the disease complex. Powdery mildew showed significant positive correlation with Pseudocercospora leaf spot. Highly resistant varieties may be utilized for future disease resistance breeding programme to evolve multiple disease resistant mulberry varieties.

Fourteen morphometric traits were used to examine the genetic divergence of 25 mulberry (Morus spp.) genotypes from varied agroclimatic conditions of India. Wide variation was observed for all the traits. The genotypes irrespective of their place of collection were grouped into 10 different clusters. Seven accessions, that is, Baragura-2, Gorabandha-2, Kalimpong, Herbertpur, Kollegal, Resham majri-7, and UP-14 each a cluster of unique entries will be of useful for genetic resources. Nevertheless, the correlation and path analysis suggest the direct selection of lamina length, fresh leaf weight, leaf area, and single leaf weight will be rewarding for mulberry leaf yield improvement.