Analysis of Phenotypic and Leaf Nutritional Traits of 42 Mulberry Germplasm Resources

LIAOYuanyuan, ZHENGZhangyun, ZHANGZitao, CHENLi, XIAChuanlin, RENJiequn, TANLixin

Chin Agric Sci Bull ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (4) : 105-116.

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Chin Agric Sci Bull ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (4) : 105-116. DOI: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2025-0793

Analysis of Phenotypic and Leaf Nutritional Traits of 42 Mulberry Germplasm Resources

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Abstract

To address the insufficient comprehensive evaluation of phenotypic traits and leaf nutritional quality in mulberry (Morus spp.) germplasm and the lack of criteria for selecting superior accessions, 42 mulberry accessions conserved at the Mulberry Germplasm Repository of the Chongqing Three Gorges Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Wanzhou, Chongqing) were evaluated. Eighteen qualitative phenotypic traits, nine quantitative phenotypic traits, and six leaf nutritional quality traits were measured, and genetic diversity analysis, cluster analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and correlation analysis were conducted. The results showed that: (1) among phenotypic traits, qualitative traits such as leaf surface, leaf base, and winter bud color exhibited high diversity, while quantitative traits including leaf length, leaf width, leaf shape index, and mesophyll thickness showed significant variation, with coefficients of variation ranging from 7.68% to 37.61%; (2) leaf nutritional quality differed markedly among accessions, with the highest crude protein content reaching 256.91 mg/g and crude fiber content reaching 14.81%; (3) cluster analysis classified the 42 mulberry accessions into seven clusters, with clusters B, C, and E containing the largest numbers of accessions; (4) PCA extracted six principal components, of which the first five had eigenvalues greater than 1, and the cumulative contribution rate reached 81.96%, with leaf length, leaf size, crude protein, and crude fat identified as the main contributing traits; (5) significant correlations were observed among phenotypic traits, whereas correlations between phenotypic traits and leaf nutritional quality traits were relatively weak. Overall, the mulberry germplasm exhibits abundant variation in phenotypic traits and leaf nutritional quality, providing a scientific basis for germplasm evaluation, breeding, and utilization.

Key words

Morus alba / germplasm resources / phenotypic traits / nutritional quality / correlation analysis / trait difference

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LIAO Yuanyuan , ZHENG Zhangyun , ZHANG Zitao , et al . Analysis of Phenotypic and Leaf Nutritional Traits of 42 Mulberry Germplasm Resources[J]. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin. 2026, 42(4): 105-116 https://doi.org/10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb2025-0793

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Poultry production is one of the most important livestock sectors as it provides the cheapest animal protein in the form of eggs and meat for human consumption in the shortest period. Feed cost typically accounts for 60-75% of the total cost of poultry production. However, feed availability is decreasing due to the increasing demands of an expanding human population and significantly increased levels of biofuel production. Therefore, finding economical, cost-effective, and locally available alternatives to conventional feed sources could be one way to reduce poultry feed costs. Mulberry leaves, which have a high nutritional value, can be added to the list of feed alternatives for poultry feeding. Mulberry leaf fodder can be employed successfully in the poultry diet. They are readily digestible (70-90 %) by herbivorous animals as well as monogastric and are found to contain little or no anti-nutritional factor or toxic compounds. It positively influences the growth performance and nutrient utilization in broiler and laying hens. It has been found that mulberry leaves contain a variety of active substances, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, and polyphenols, which can reduce blood glucose and triglycerides, and have the function of antioxidation and regulation of lipid metabolism. The yolk colour has been improved in the eggs of the birds fed with mulberry leaf powder, which can be due to excessive amounts of xanthophylls in the leaves. Mulberry leaves also have an enormous potential to reduce feed cost as they can be used instead of expensive protein sources such as soybean meal and fish meal in poultry diets. Studies conducted with poultry indicated that addition of mulberry leaves are possible up to certain limits in poultry diets without any adverse effect on their performance.
[34]
LJUBOJEVIĆ M, ŠAVIKIN K, ZDUNIĆ G, et al. Selection of mulberry genotypes from northern Serbia for ‘Ornafruit’ purposes[J]. Horticulturae, 2022, 9(1):28.
The genus Morus L., mulberry, is an interesting taxonomic group on account of its existing genetic variability, functional food potential and commercial importance. Mulberry trees are found in a wide range of areas in Serbia, accounting for a large phenotypic diversity in its genetic resources. Tree and fruit characteristics of more than 300 mulberry specimens were surveyed, and 15 genotypes of Morus alba, Morus nigra and Morus rubra species were selected for further analyses. These were located at various sites in the province of Vojvodina, Serbia. The present study was undertaken to investigate the diversity of the collected material aiming to pre-select genotypes suitable for landscaping/ornamental and/or fruit production purposes. Genotypes BP 3/9, DT1, ZP3 and MR1 have semi-vigorous growth, dropping growth habits, different leaf shapes (ovate, oval, cordate) and leaf color (from light to dark green), corresponding to ornamental mulberries. In addition, the semi-vigorous genotype ZD1 with a spreading tree and interesting palmate-lobed leaves was distinguished as a unique genotype for landscaping purposes. The most vigorous annual shoot growth was detected in the ZP3 genotype (118.5 cm), followed by DT1 (108.2 cm), MR1 (101.8 cm) and ZP1 (100.5 cm) genotypes. Contrary, genotype DJ1 exhibited the lowest annual growth with only a 32.9 cm average length of the shoots. Due to the greater fruit mass (4.2–6.1 g), sweetness and acidity balance as well as chemical composition, genotypes BP 1/4, DJ1, MG, MR1, DT1 and ZP3 may be recommended for fresh consumption, while genotypes DJ1, DT1, MR1, ZD1, ZP1 and BP 3/9 could be appropriate for home processing. According to fruit chemical analyses, the most promising genotypes were MR1 and DT1 combining high soluble solids content (21.2% and 18.5%, respectively), total sugar content (17.41% and 15.20%, respectively) and ascorbic acid content (42.24 and 49.28 mg/%, respectively). Additionally, DT1 genotype was also characterized by the highest total phenolic content (221.08 mg 27 GAE/100 g fresh weight). The most ornamental genotypes from this study (BP 3/9, DT1, ZD1, ZP3 and MR1) combined with their pomological and chemical characterization can be recommended for edible gardening purposes due to both aesthetic appearance and nutritive value of the fruits.
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