Research Biotica | Volume 8 Issue 2 | Pages: 43-48 | Doi : 10.54083/ResBio/8.2.2026/43-48

Research Article

OPEN ACCESS | Published on : 15-May-2026

Assessment of Epicuticular Wax and Physiological Traits in Mulberry under Limited Input Conditions

• Gayathri T.
• Mulberry Physiology Laboratory, CSB-Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Srirampura, Mysuru, Karnataka (570 008), India

Manjugouda I.P.
• Mulberry Physiology Laboratory, CSB-Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Srirampura, Mysuru, Karnataka (570 008), India

Suresh K.
• Mulberry Physiology Laboratory, CSB-Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Srirampura, Mysuru, Karnataka (570 008), India

Tamilselvi C.
• Mulberry Physiology Laboratory, CSB-Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Srirampura, Mysuru, Karnataka (570 008), India

Manasa N.
• Mulberry Physiology Laboratory, CSB-Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Srirampura, Mysuru, Karnataka (570 008), India

Mahiba Helen S.
• Mulberry Physiology Laboratory, CSB-Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Srirampura, Mysuru, Karnataka (570 008), India

Deepa P.
• Mulberry Physiology Laboratory, CSB-Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Srirampura, Mysuru, Karnataka (570 008), India

Abstract

Mulberry (Morus spp.) leaf yield and quality is greatly influenced by various abiotic stresses. Among these, drought/moisture stress is the major limiting factor in mulberry for quality leaf production. Under water limited conditions, different physio-biochemical processes in the plants are altered and which inhibits the optimal growth and yield production in most of the crop plants. The biochemical constituents (proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, etc.) and leaf moisture content are the primary components of the leaf quality parameters. Leaf moisture and leaf moisture retention capacity are the two key factors contributing for the palatability and digestion of leaves by silkworms, which in turn support the healthy growth of the silkworms. Epicuticular wax on the leaf surface significantly contributes to the prevention of post-harvest water loss in mulberry leaves by increasing the moisture retention capacity (MRC). Hence, the present study focuses on the physiological evaluation of 20 germplasm accessions and 2 check varieties in field for epicuticular wax, moisture retention capacity (MRC) and chlorophylls under limited input conditions of irrigation (60% Field Capacity: FC) and fertilizers (60% RDF: Recommended Dose of Fertilizers) to select physiological adaptive traits and tolerant genotypes for sub-optimal conditions. Among the genotypes, MRC ranged from 50.63% to 76.33% and epicuticular wax varied from 2.13 µg cm^-2 to 11.46 µg cm^-2. Present study also indicated the high moisture retention capacity and epicuticular wax content in MI-0108, MI-0046, MI-0168, MI-0736, MI-0128 and MI-0577.

How to Cite

Gayathri, T., Manjugouda, I.P., Suresh, K., et al., 2026. Assessment of epicuticular wax and physiological traits in Mulberry under limited input conditions. Research Biotica 8(2), 43-47. DOI: 10.54083/ResBio/8.2.2026/43-48.

Keywords

Epicuticular wax, Limited input, Moisture retention capacity, Mulberry, Physiological efficiency

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