Future Perspectives of Mulberry Genomic Research

Global warming and consequent unpredictable and erratic changes in the climate necessitate plants and animals to adopt evolutionary changes which help them to adapt well to their surroundings. Mulberry being a hardy yet vulnerable crop warrants human intervention in developing varieties that are more resilient to produce consistently to ensure the sustainability of the sericulture industry. However, mulberry being a highly heterozygous, cross-pollinated tree species, the development of climate-smart varieties through conventional breeding is considered a time-consuming and economically demanding exercise. Nonetheless, the spectacular developments in genomic research have shed new rays of hope in understanding the genetic makeup of the crop and thereby manipulating the genetics for better varietal developments. The present chapter narrates the latest developments in the genomics of mulberry and its future perspectives for mulberry crop improvement through advanced breeding, genetic engineering, and biotechnological means.