Exploring natural variability in the mulberry (Morus indica) cultivar, Kanva-2 through clonal selection

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This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5583674/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Mulberry ( Morus spp.) is a crucial plant in sericulture, serving as the sole food source for the silkworm, Bombyx mori . Clonal selection in mulberry is a strategic approach to leveraging natural variability for the development of improved cultivars. This method enables the identification and propagation of superior clones that exhibit desirable traits, such as enhanced leaf quality, growth vigor, and adaptability to varying environmental conditions. In the present study; we identified 11 clonal variants from the cultivar Kanva-2 (K-2) through field surveys. These clonally selected genotypes were designated as CS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-4, CS-5, CS-6, CS-7, CS-8, CS-9, CS-10, and CS-11, and underwent detailed characterization of their morphometric and molecular traits. The clonally-derived genotypes exhibited distinct features compared to their mother plant, K-2. Notably, genotypes CS-1, CS-4, CS-5, and CS-6 demonstrated improved leaf yield and quality traits, highlighting their potential advantages over the original cultivar. These genotypes can be utilized in breeding programs or to enrich germplasm resources. Clonal selection Kanva-2 Mulberry M-5 Natural mutation Sericulture Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 1. Introduction In India, the mulberry is cultivated about 2, 63,302 ha for rearing the silkworm Bombyx mori and produced 29892 MT of mulberry raw silk during 2023-24 [ 1 ]. Many improved mulberry varieties with respect to different agro-climatic zones as well as tolerance against various stressesare available in India, and their leaf yielding potential is upto 80 MT/ha/year. Mainly conventional breeding methods are used to develop many popular mulberry varieties such as introduction of foreign varieties (S-1, Goshoerami, and Kosen), selection through open pollination (Kanva-2, MR-2, S-13, S-34, RFS-135, RFS-175, AR-11, S-146, and Ber. S-799), clonal selection (TG-1, Chinese White, Anantha, Vishwa, and Vishala), systematic hybridization (RC-1, RC-2, Sahana ,V-1, G-2, G-4, MSG-2, AGB-8, BC2-59, C-763, C-776, C-2016, C-2017, C-2028, C-2038, C-2058, C-2060, and C-1360), mutation induction (S-30, S-36, S-41, and S-54), and development of triploids (Tr-10, C-1730, Tr-23, S-1635, S-1608, AR-12, and Suvarna-2) by crossing between diploid and tetraploid parents [ 2 ]. Genetic variability plays a crucial role in enhancing mulberry plant improvement. It contributes to increased yields, improved leaf quality, adaptability to diverse stress conditions, and heightened resistance to pests and diseases. The genetic resources of mulberries serve as a foundation for effective crop management. Activities such as collection, introduction, and exchange of genetic materials are essential for enriching the existing gene pool, providing breeders with extensive opportunities for further advancements in mulberry cultivation [ 3 ]. Currently, India maintains 1,317 mulberry accessions in an ex-situ field gene bank at the Central Sericultural Germplasm Resources Centre (CSGRC) in Hosur. These accessions are evaluated and characterized, with useful traits documented [ 4 ]. Mulberry is a perennial, cross-pollinated plant characterized by high heterozygosity and notable inbreeding depression during sexual reproduction. To address this, clonal propagation is used to generate genetically identical plants. However, the morphological variations often observed in mulberry gardens among plants of the same variety are primarily due to phenotypic plasticity, which refers to changes induced by environmental factors or mechanical mixtures that can occur during collection and propagation. In contrast, genetic variation within a clone can result from mutations, contributing to genetic diversity even within the same variety [ 5 ]. Exploring clonal variants is a crucial breeding strategy for developing new cultivars with superior traits in mulberry cultivation in India. Bud mutation serves as an important source of plant variation, allowing for the direct selection of new varieties and providing valuable germplasm for hybrid breeding. This method is both simple and effective for generating new cultivars [ 6 , 7 ]. Additionally, the unique traits arising from bud mutations can be reliably maintained through asexual reproduction methods, such as grafting and cutting, and can be inherited by subsequent generations [ 8 ]. In this context, the present study focuses on clonal selection in mulberry, with special emphasis on shade tolerance. It involves exploration and surveying in coconut orchards, where mulberry is cultivated as an intercrop, with the aim of characterizing, conserving, and utilizing the diverse genetic resources available. 2 Materials and methods 2.1 Exploration, survey, and collection The study was conducted considering > 20 years old mulberry gardens, wherein cv. Kanva-2 (K-2) was intercropped with coconut palms in the traditional sericulture areas. The region has a dry climate with temperatures ranging from 19–36°C, humidity of 63–77%, and average rainfall of 868.7 mm. Soils are primarily deep red clay, shallow red, and red sandy loam. The mulberry variants were identified through visual observation of the existing cultivars in the gardens. To ensure a proper comparative analysis, selected variants were propagated from cuttings, maintaining both the variant and its corresponding mother plant over a one-year period. The study considered 26 different morphotypes of mulberry, of which 11 exhibited clear morphological differences from the standard K-2 variety. The remaining 15 variants showed similar traits when exposed to full sunlight but exhibited notable variations when grown under the shade of coconut palms, indicating phenotypic plasticity. Out of the 11 variants that exhibited differences from K-2, further studies were conducted on 11 specific genotypes, which were selected and named CS-1 to CS-11 for detailed analysis. 2.2 Establishment of evaluation plot and management The clonally selected 6-month-old mulberry saplings were planted at the experimental plot, Department of Sericulture Science, University of Mysore, Mysuru, using a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications, consisting of six plants/genotype/replication, at a spacing of 90 x 90 cm under irrigated conditions. The soil was red loam with a pH of 6.9 and standard package of practices were followed commonly. After one year of establishment, eight successive harvests were taken with an interval of 65–70 days, and all the harvests were made by shoot pruning at 45 cm height. Farmyard manure was applied at a rate of 20 MT/ha/yr in two split doses. Chemical fertilizers were also applied at a rate of 350:140:140 kg NPK/ha/yr, divided into five split doses. Plant protection measures were ensured throughout the experiment. 2.3 Morpho-metric analysis Morphological, growth, yield, reproductive, and anatomical parameters of the mulberry variants were recorded according to established descriptors [ 9 ]. For biochemical analyses, protein content was estimated using the method of Lowry et al. [ 10 ], carbohydrate levels following Plumer [ 11 ], and chlorophyll content was measured based on the method by Hiscox and Israelstam [ 12 ]. Samples were taken from leaves in the 7th to 9th order, following the respective protocols. The Data were analyzed adopting the method of one-way analysis of variance using the Statistical Tool for Agricultural Research (STAR). Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) was used for testing of significance 2.4 Cytological studies The somatic chromosome number was determined in root and shoot tip cells using standard cytological techniques [ 13 , 14 ]. Mulberry root tips were treated with 2% colchicine for 3 hours, hydrolyzed in 1N HCl for 10 minutes at 40°C, stained with 2% aceto-orcein, and squashed in 45% acetic acid. For terminal shoots, pre-treatment involved 0.1% colchicine + 0.001 M 8-hydroxyquinoline for 4 hours, followed by hydrolyzation in 1N HCl for 20 minutes at 25°C. The shoot tips were digested in 5% cellulose for 3–4 hours at 37°C, stained with 2% aceto-carmine, and squashed in 45% acetic acid. Chromosomes were examined under a microscope and photomicrographed. Chromosome length was estimated (6 cells/genotype) during metaphase stage by using IdeoKar software [ 15 ] and mean values were calculated. 2.5 Determination of nuclear DNA content The nuclear DNA content of mulberry genotypes was estimated using flow cytometry (FCM) as described by Galbraith et al. [ 16 ]. Nuclei were isolated from 40 mg of fresh mulberry leaves, using Pisum sativum (2C = 9.09 pg) as the reference standard. The tissue was chopped in a hypotonic propidium iodide buffer, filtered, and incubated at 37°C. FCM analysis was performed on a BD LSR Fortessa™ cell analyzer, with data processed using BD FACS Diva 8.0.3 Software. Ploidy was calculated using the formula: Ploidy = Reference ploidy × (mean G1 peak position of sample / mean G1 peak position of reference), with 1 pg = 980 Mbp. 2.6 Molecular studies 2.6.1 Genomic DNA extraction, Primer selection, PCR amplification, and Gel electrophoresis Genomic DNA was extracted from young mulberry leaves using the cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide CTAB method [ 16 ] and a plant genomic DNA purification kit (HIPurATM, HIMEDIA). DNA quantity was assessed using a Nanodrop Spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific) and quality confirmed on a 1.0% agarose gel. ISSR markers (Table 1 ) were used for PCR amplification [ 17 ], with thermal cycling on an Applied Biosystems cycler: initial denaturation at 94°C for 5 minutes, 35 cycles of denaturation at 94°C for 1 minute, annealing at 48–60°C for 45 seconds, extension at 72°C for 2 minutes, a final extension at 72°C for 7 minutes, and cooling at 4°C. PCR products were separated on a 2% agarose gel in 1X TAE buffer, with a 100 bp DNA ladder (Gene DireX and Himedia) as a size reference. Gel images were captured under UV light, and molecular sizes were estimated using a 2000 bp ladder. Table 1: List of ISSR primers and their sequences Sl.No. Primers Nucleotide Sequence (5’- 3’) Size (bp) 1 UBC-812 GAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAA 300–1500 2 UBC-813 CTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTT 300–1500 3 UBC-815 CTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTG 300–1500 4 UBC-824 TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCG 300–2000 5 UBC-834 AGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGYT 200–1500 6 UBC-840 GAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAYT 300–1000 7 UBC-843 CTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTRA 300–1500 8 UBC-844 CTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTRC 300–2000 Where Y = C and T & R= A/G 2.6.2 Analysis of genetic diversity The reproducible amplified bands were manually scored as present (1) or absent (0) for each primer and genotype, creating a binary matrix. This data was used to calculate similarity coefficients, which were then applied to construct a dendrogram using the UPGMA method in NTSYS software. Genetic diversity of genotypes was analysed by calculating the percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB), percentage of monomorphic bands (PMB), and the Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) of each primer [ 18 ]. Resolving power was computed as per Prevost and Wilkinson [ 19 ]. All statistical analyses were performed using NTSYS Software [ 20 ]. 3 Results 3.1 Plant morphology Morphological traits are essential for breeding programs aimed at improving mulberry varieties. The assessment of morphological traits in the mother plant K-2 and its clonally derived genotypes reveals variability for some characters (Table 2 ). K-2 exhibited medium growth vigor, while the clonally derived genotypes showed a range of growth potentials: high vigor in CS-1, CS-4, CS-5, and CS-6; low vigor in CS-2, CS-8, and CS-9; and medium vigor in CS-3, CS-7, CS-10, and CS-11. Morphologically, most genotypes, including K-2, displayed an erect growth habit and straight branching. In contrast, CS-5 exhibited a spreading growth habit with slightly curved branches. All genotypes shared a consistent shoot color, characterized by greyish-green hues, and featured medium-sized, acute triangular buds. Accessory buds were present across all genotypes. The stipule characteristics were uniform, with all genotypes exhibiting free-lateral stipules that are caduceus. Notably, the shape of lenticels varied between the mother plant and its clones. K-2 had oval and elliptical lenticels, while CS-2 and CS-5 presented round and oval shapes, respectively (Fig. 1 ). Table 2 Morphological traits of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2 Genotypes Vigour Growth habit Branch nature Colour of mature shoot Lenticel shape Mature bud size Bud shape Bud attachment Accessory bud Stipule nature Stipule duration Petiole groove K − 2 Medium Erect Straight Greyish green Oval & Elliptical Medium Acute triangle Adhering to branch Present Free-lateral Caducous Absent CS − 1 High Erect Straight Greyish green Oval & Elliptical Medium Acute triangle Adhering to branch Present Free-lateral Caducous Absent CS − 2 Low Erect Straight Greyish green Round & Oval Medium Acute triangle Adhering to branch Present Free-lateral Caducous Absent CS − 3 Medium Erect Straight Greyish green Oval & Elliptical Medium Acute triangle Adhering to branch Present Free-lateral Caducous Absent CS − 4 High Erect Straight Greyish green Oval & Elliptical Medium Acute triangle Adhering to branch Present Free-lateral Caducous Absent CS − 5 High Spreading Slightly curved Greyish green Round & Oval Medium Acute triangle Adhering to branch Present Free-lateral Caducous Absent CS − 6 High Erect Straight Greyish green Oval & Elliptical Medium Acute triangle Adhering to branch Present Free-lateral Caducous Absent CS − 7 Medium Erect Straight Greyish green Oval & Elliptical Medium Acute triangle Adhering to branch Present Free-lateral Caducous Absent CS − 8 Low Erect Straight Greyish green Oval & Elliptical Medium Acute triangle Adhering to branch Present Free-lateral Caducous Absent CS − 9 Low Erect Straight Greyish green Round & Elliptical Medium Acute triangle Adhering to branch Present Free-lateral Caducous Absent CS − 10 Medium Erect Straight Greyish green Oval & Elliptical Medium Acute triangle Adhering to branch Present Free-lateral Caducous Absent CS − 11 Medium Erect Straight Greyish green Oval & Elliptical Medium Acute triangle Adhering to branch Present Free-lateral Caducous Absent 3.2 Leaf morphology Leaf morphological traits are essential for distinguishing among mulberry variants, as evidenced by the characteristics of the mother plant K-2 and its clonal derivatives. K-2 features light green, non-glossy leaves with a truncate base and a slightly rough surface. In contrast, clonal variants display a range of colours, from light green in CS-1 and CS-9 to dark green in CS-5, CS-10, and CS-11. Variants like CS-1 and CS-6 exhibit strongly glossy leaves. Additionally, CS-8 and CS-9 show wrinkled leaves with impressed veins, diverging from K-2's smooth texture. Variation in leaf base shapes among different clones of a plant, where the clones (CS-1, CS-3, CS-4, CS-5, and CS-6) show cordate leaf bases, while the mother plant has a truncate leaf base (Fig. 2 ). The combination of leaf color, texture, shape, and venation provides clear morphological markers that can be used to identify different mulberry clones. 3.3 Propagation, growth and yield parameters The assessment of various growth and yield parameters among genotypes reveals significant variations across multiple traits. Sprouting percentage ranged from 66.31 to 95.33%, with K-2 and genotypes CS-1, CS-3, and CS-8 showing the highest rates, while CS-9 had the lowest. For survivability, percentages varied from 57.24 to 91.49%, with CS-8 demonstrating the highest survivability. The number of branches per plant ranged from 5 to 11, with CS-7 having the most branches, exhibiting an 8.27% increase over K-2. In terms of shoot length, genotypes ranged from 80.01 to 132.12 cm, with CS-7 showing the greatest length. Inter-nodal lengths varied from 4.68 to 6.64 cm, with CS-3 exhibiting the longest internodes. The petiole lengths ranged from 3.78 to 5.80 cm, with CS-11 measuring the longest. Leaf area varied from 147.76 to 379.62 cm², with CS-5 recording the largest area. The shoot girth size ranged from 0.53 to 1.30 cm, with CS-5 being the highest girth. The leaf-specific weight ranged from 14.23 to 20.09 mg, with CS-6 being the thickest. Total leaf yield per plant varied significantly, from 101.71 to 648.24 g, with CS-5 achieving the highest yield. The moisture content of fresh leaves ranged from 72.78 to 77.34%, with CS-6 having the highest percentage, while moisture retention after six hours varied from 59.78–73.34%, with CS-6 again leading in retention (Table 3 ). Table 3 Leaf morphological characteristics of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2 Genotypes Leaf colour Leaf glossiness Leaf wrinkles Leaf apex Leaf base Leaf margin Leaf surface Leaf texture Leaf shape Leaf angle Leaf nature Leaf lobation Leaf hairiness K − 2 L Light G green Non- glossy Non-wrinkle Acuminate Truncate Crenate Slightly rough Charataceous Ovate Acute Homophyllous Unlobed Glabrous CS − 1 Light green Strongly-glossy Non-wrinkle Acuminate Cordate Crenate Smooth Charataceous Cordate Acute Homophyllous Unlobed Glabrous CS − 2 Green Glossy Non-wrinkle Acuminate Truncate Crenate Smooth Charataceous Narrow ovate Acute Homophyllous Unlobed Glabrous CS − 3 Green Glossy Non-wrinkle Acuminate Cordate Crenate Smooth Charataceous Cordate Acute Homophyllous Unlobed Glabrous CS − 4 Green Glossy Non-wrinkle Acuminate Cordate Crenate Smooth Charataceous Wide ovate Acute Homophyllous Unlobed Glabrous CS − 5 Dark-green Non- glossy Non-wrinkle Acuminate Cordate Crenate Smooth Charataceous Cordate Acute Homophyllous Unlobed Sparsely hairy CS − 6 Green Strongly-glossy Non-wrinkle Acuminate Cordate Crenate Smooth Charataceous Cordate Acute Homophyllous Unlobed Glabrous CS − 7 Dark-green Glossy Non-wrinkle Acuminate Truncate Crenate Smooth Charataceous Narrow ovate Acute Homophyllous Unlobed Glabrous CS − 8 Green Glossy Wrinkle with impressed veins Acuminate Truncate Crenate Smooth Charataceous Narrow ovate Acute Homophyllous Unlobed Glabrous CS − 9 Light green Non- glossy Wrinkle with impressed veins Acuminate Truncate Crenate Slightly rough Charataceous Cordate Horizontal Homophyllous Unlobed Sparsely hairy CS − 10 Dark green Glossy Non-wrinkle Acuminate Truncate Crenate Smooth Charataceous Narrow ovate Acute Homophyllous Unlobed Glabrous CS − 11 Dark green Non- glossy Non-wrinkle Acuminate Truncate Crenate Slightly rough Charataceous Narrow ovate Acute Homophyllous Unlobed Sparsely hairy 3.4 Reproductive traits Most mulberry genotypes, including the mother plant K-2, displayed a gynoecious nature with pubescent, spreading stigmas and black fruits, except for CS-2 (androecious) and CS-5 (bisexual). Significant variation was noted in the average number of inflorescences per plant, with CS-4 producing the highest at 49, while CS-11 had the lowest at 21; K-2 had 45 inflorescences. Inflorescence lengths varied, measuring 0.31 to 1.87 cm for females, 2.25 cm for males, and 1.44 cm for bisexuals. Additionally, the number of flowers per inflorescence ranged from 12 to 20 for female catkins, 16 for male catkins, and 14 for bisexual catkins (Table 4 ). Table 4 Propagation, growth and yield parameters of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2 Genotypes Sprouting (%) Survivability (%) No. of branches/ plant Shoot length (cm) Internode length (cm) Petiole length (cm) Leaf area (cm) Shot girth (cm) Leaf specific weight (mg/cm) Leaf moisture content (%) Leaf moisture retention (%) Leaf Yield/ Plant (g) K − 2 95.33 a 87.44 abc 10.76 ab 99.11 bcd 5.51 bcd 4.35 ef 148.24 f 0.85 cd 16.47 cd 72.78 d 62.78 de 328.27 c CS − 1 94.51 ab 88.56 abc 9.45 bc 106.74 b 5.99 abc 4.82 cd 338.23 b 1.09 b 16.92b c 76.07 abc 66.07 cd 422.98 b CS − 2 86.68 d 78.04 de 6.48 efg 99.68 bcd 5.00 de 3.78 g 236.59 d 0.82 cd 14.23 f 74.78 bcd 59.78 e 224.43 d CS − 3 94.13 ab 89.17 ab 7.94 de 91.58 cdef 6.64 a 4.56 def 181.04 e 0.85 c 15.71 e 75.66 abc 68.66 c 326.52 c CS − 4 88.01 cd 82.09 cd 9.92 b 87.65 def 4.68 e 4.63 de 273.77 c 1.06 b 16.28 d 76.67 ab 66.67 cd 425.43 b CS − 5 93.17 abc 83.78 bcd 6.08 fg 109.06 b 6.2 ab 5.25 bc 379.62 a 1.30 a 17.36 b 74.42 bcd 64.42 d 648.24 a CS − 6 93.00 abc 89.14 ab 8.39 cd 80.01 f 5.21 cde 4.26 ef 335.66 b 1.00 b 20.09 a 77.34 a 73.34 a 411.53 b CS − 7 89.04 bcd 84.36 bcd 11.65 a 132.12 a 5.01 de 5.10 bc 250.39 cd 0.80 cd 16.4 cd 75.39 abc 71.39 b 320.28 c CS − 8 94.62 ab 91.49 a 9.55 bc 82.66 ef 5.63 bcd 5.30 b 147.76 f 0.53 e 14.47 f 73.95 cd 63.95 d 101.71 e CS − 9 66.31 e 57.24 f 7.41 def 96.9 bcd 6.30 ab 4.15 fg 240.02 d 0.77 cd 15.63 e 75.64 abc 65.64 d 249.82 d CS − 10 85.66 d 74.66 e 6.44 efg 104.38 bc 4.70 e 5.46 ab 262.41 cd 0.85 c 16.51 cd 74.65 bcd 64.65 d 324.29 c CS − 11 91.11 abcd 85.19 abc 5.55 g 95.96 bcde 5.03 de 5.80 a 254.29 cd 0.75 d 15.53 e 76.34 abc 66.34 cd 256.26 d Mean SD± Significance 89.30 8.04 * 82.50 9.32 * 8.30 1.97 ** 98.81 13.83 * 5.49 0.65 ** 4.79 0.60 ** 254.00 72.80 * 0.89 0.19 ** 16.29 1.50 ** 75.31 1.26 ** 66.14 1.55 ** 336.65 134.98 * 3.5 Leaf anatomical features The leaf anatomical traits in clonally selected mulberry genotypes revealed significant variations against their mother plant. Leaf thickness ranged from 53.83 to 173.52 µm, with CS-6 being the thickest, while CS-8 was the thinnest. Cuticle thickness varied from 2.95 to 8.11 µm, with CS-6 again showing the highest value. The palisade proportion ranged from 27.54 to 42.33%, while the spongy proportion varied from 17.16 to 48.33%, with CS-6 having the highest spongy tissue (Fig. 3 ). Stomatal frequency ranged from 357 to 762 no./mm 2 , with CS-4 leading, and stomatal size varied from 193.56 to 254.16 µm, with CS-6 having the largest. Chloroplast numbers per guard cell ranged from 6 to 16, with CS-6 showing the most, and trichome counts varied from 6 to 57 no./mm 2 , with CS-8 having the highest (Table 5 ). Table 5 Reproductive traits of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2 Genotypes Sex expression No. of inflorescence /plant Inflorescence length (cm) No. of flowers /inflorescence Stigma nature Stigma type Fruit colour K − 2 Gynoecious 45.23 b 1.76 b 17.36 bc Pubescent Spreading Black CS − 1 Gynoecious 36.04 d 1.25 cd 18.63 b Pubescent Spreading Black CS − 2 Androecious 31.58 e 2.25 a 16.37 c NA NA NA CS − 3 Gynoecious 26.87 f 0.98 e 16.59 c Pubescent Spreading Black CS − 4 Gynoecious 49.37 a 1.11 cd 18.36 b Pubescent Spreading Black CS − 5 Bisexual 28.74 f 1.44 c 14.38 d Pubescent Spreading Black CS − 6 Gynoecious 31.05 e 1.56 c 20.17 a Pubescent Spreading Black CS − 7 Gynoecious 42.22 bc 1.22 cd 15.36 d Pubescent Spreading Black CS − 8 Gynoecious 44.18 b 0.89 e 16.35 c Pubescent Spreading Black CS − 9 Gynoecious 39.33 c 1.87 b 12.26 e Pubescent Spreading Black CS − 10 Gynoecious 27.54 f 0.31 e 15.34 d Pubescent Spreading Black CS − 11 Gynoecious 21.16 g 1.41 c 17.36 bc Pubescent Spreading Black Mean SD± Significance NA 35.27 8.77 ** 1.33 0.50 ** 16.54 2.09 ** NA NA NA 3.6 Leaf biochemical parameters Nutritional and biochemical analyses of clonally evolved mulberry genotypes revealed significant variations in key traits. Protein content ranged from 22.79 to 27.22%, with CS-6 showing the highest levels, surpassing the mother plant K-2. Carbohydrate content varied from 13.17 to 15.33%, also peaking in CS-6. Chlorophyll a and b levels ranged from 2.57 to 3.88 mg/g and 1.19 to 2.36 mg/g, respectively, with CS-6 leading in both categories. Total chlorophyll content varied from 3.93 to 6.17 mg/g, again favoring CS-6 (Table 6 ). Table 6 Leaf anatomical features of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2 Genotypes Leaf thickness (µm) Upper cuticle thickness (µm) Palisade tissue thickness (%) Spongy tissue thickness (%) Stomatal frequency (no./mm 2 ) Stomatal size (µm) Chloroplast No. /stomata Trichome density (no./mm 2 ) K − 2 96.52 d 5.53 c 30.33 e 36.53 c 574.56 c 229.66ef 10.55 e 36.56 c CS − 1 112.83 bc 5.28 cd 33.56 d 34.55 cd 673.45 b 217.16 h 7.26 h 36.83 c CS − 2 63.01 h 3.31 h 35.27 c 17.16 f 741.83 a 193.56 i 8.45 g 44.33 b CS − 3 96.16 d 5.03 de 42.33 a 43.33 b 576.66 c 238.52 bc 15.55 b 14.52 d CS − 4 86.18 e 4.73 ef 37.56 b 36.36 c 762.33 a 222.83 gh 7.48 h 37.65 c CS − 5 76.83 g 3.95 g 27.54 f 36.56 c 756.52 a 237.23 cd 9.31 f 45.33 b CS − 6 173.52 a 8.11 a 33.33 d 48.33 a 443.26 d 254.16 a 16.93 a 6.16 f CS − 7 116.12 b 6.46 b 36.16 c 41.16 b 578.31 c 237.33 cd 15.19 b 9.83 e CS − 8 53.83 i 2.95 h 34.66 d 24.54 e 357.16 e 225.16 fg 6.48 i 57.24 a CS − 9 75.73 g 4.71 ef 37.33 b 34.66 cd 656.83 b 232.33 de 8.73 fg 44.66 b CS − 10 112.52 c 5.48 cd 32.59 d 35.16 cd 731.17 a 243.55 b 12.16 c 36.83 c CS − 11 82.16 f 4.55 f 37.24 b 32.56 d 759.36 a 234.33 cde 11.34 d 46.33 b Mean SD± Significance 95.44 31.46 ** 5.00 1.38 ** 35.55 3.07 ** 35.02 8.12 ** 634.18 132.55 ** 230.41 15.29 ** 10.77 3.50 ** 34.61 15.94 ** Table 7 Leaf biochemical parameters of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2 Genotypes Protein (%) Carbohydrate (%) Chlorophyll a (mg/g) Chlorophyll b (mg/g) Total chlorophyll (mg/g) K − 2 25.52 c 13.25 c 3.24 b 1.24 bc 4.48 cd CS − 1 26.36 b 14.21 b 3.18 b 1.19 c 4.37 cde CS − 2 24.46 e 13.35 c 2.71 c 1.22 c 3.93 e CS − 3 25.62 bc 14.24 b 3.15 b 2.36 a 5.51 b CS − 4 25.29 cd 14.53 b 3.12 b 1.28 bc 4.41 cd CS − 5 25.77 bc 14.41 b 3.21 b 1.18 c 4.39 cd CS − 6 27.22 a 15.33 a 3.88 a 2.29 a 6.17 a CS − 7 26.28 b 14.36 b 3.18 b 2.11 a 5.28 b CS − 8 22.79 g 13.17 c 2.57 c 1.56 b 4.07 de CS − 9 23.50 fg 13.28 c 3.17 b 1.35 bc 4.53 c CS − 10 24.67 de 14.45 b 3.25 b 1.26 bc 4.52 cd CS − 11 23.63 f 14.28 b 3.66 a 1.50 b 5.16 b Mean SD± Significance 25.09 1.31 ** 14.07 0.64 ** 3.19 0.34 ** 1.54 0.44 ** 4.74 0.65 ** 3.7 Chromosome studies Chromosome counting during mitotic cell division revealed a consistent number of 28 somatic chromosomes in root and shoot tip cells across all clonally selected genotypes (CS-1 to CS-11) and their mother plant K-2 (Fig. 4 a), confirming a diploid ploidy level (2n = 2x = 28). During prophase, clonal variants (CS-3, CS-7, CS-9, and CS-10) exhibited varying degrees of chromosome condensation compared to K-2. Normal chromosome segregation was observed at anaphase, with proper formation of daughter nuclei in all genotypes. No variations in chromosomal complements were detected, indicating that the regular mitotic processes in both shoot and root meristematic tissues reflect the genetic stability of these clonal variants.The chromosome analysis of this mulberry genotypes revealed a pair of small chromosomes measuring between 0.96 and 1.42 µm, alongside a pair of larger chromosomes ranging from 2.87 to 3.27 µm among the total of 28 chromosomes. The average length of these chromosomes varied from 1.98 to 2.52 µm, with the mother plant K-2 having a mean length of 2.21 µm. Notably, CS-10 exhibited increased chromosome lengths, while CS-2 displayed reduced lengths compared to the mother plant (Table 8). Table 8. Ploidy level, chromosome length, and nuclear DNA content of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2 Genotypes Chromosome numbers Mean of amount Nuclear DNA (pg/c) Chromosome length (µm) Range Mean K - 2 2n=2x=28 0.82 1.14 - 3.11 2.21 CS - 1 2n=2x=28 0.94 1.11 - 3.16 2.32 CS - 2 2n=2x=28 0.83 0.96 - 2.98 2.11 CS - 3 2n=2x=28 0.93 1.23 - 3.24 2.38 CS - 4 2n=2x=28 0.74 1.04 - 2.87 1.98 CS - 5 2n=2x=28 0.95 1.18 - 3.21 2.41 CS - 6 2n=2x=28 0.89 1.22 - 3.14 2.13 CS - 7 2n=2x=28 0.78 1.32 - 2.77 2.03 CS - 8 2n=2x=28 0.94 1.14 - 3.27 2.48 CS - 9 2n=2x=28 0.89 1.42 - 3.21 2.12 CS - 10 2n=2x=28 0.95 1.16 - 3.18 2.52 CS - 11 2n=2x=28 0.88 0.98 - 3.14 2.31 3.8 Nuclear DNA content Flow cytometry analysis of the ploidy status and genome size of all clonally selected genotypes, including the mother plant K-2 (Fig. 4 b), confirmed again that all are diploid. The nDNA content for K-2 was determined to be 0.82 pg. Notably, several genotypes exhibited increased genome sizes: CS-1 (0.94 pg), CS-2 (0.83 pg), CS-3 (0.93 pg), CS-5 (0.95 pg), CS-6 (0.89 pg), CS-8 (0.94 pg), CS-9 (0.89 pg), CS-10 (0.95 pg), and CS-11 (0.88 pg). Conversely, CS-4 and CS-7 showed reduced genome sizes of 0.74 pg and 0.78 pg, respectively. The nuclear DNA content remained consistent across replicates of the same genotype, varying only from 0.01 to 0.08 pg (Table 8). 3.9 Genetic diversity analysis The study utilized ISSR markers to assess genetic diversity among 11 clonally selected genotypes, along with the mother plant K-2. The results revealed distinct genetic variations across all genotypes, providing valuable insights into their genetic relationships and the overall diversity within the group (Table 9 and Fig. 5 ). Using 8 ISSR primers, a total of 52 amplified products (fragments) were obtained across the 12 genotypes. Of these, 41 (80.04%) were polymorphic, indicating genetic variation among the genotypes. These polymorphic bands are crucial for assessing genetic diversity. The remaining 11 products (19.96%) were monomorphic, as they were consistent across all genotypes and showed no genetic variation.The highest level of polymorphism (100%) was observed with the primers UBC-812 and UBC-844, while the lowest level (60%) was observed with UBC-813. The Polymorphism Information Content (PIC), which measures the informativeness of a marker, ranged from 0.11 for the UBC-840 primer to 0.38 for UBC-844, with an average of 0.25 per primer pair. The Resolving Power (RP), which indicates the discriminatory potential of the primers, was highest for UBC-824 (RP = 5.50) and lowest for UBC-840 (RP = 2.67), with an average RP of 3.83 across all primers.The Effective Multiplex Ratio (EMR), which describes the efficiency of primers in generating polymorphic bands, ranged from 4.44 for UBC-813 to 8.00 for UBC-844, with an average EMR of 6.61 for all 8 primers. The Marker Index (MI), which reflects the discriminatory power of the markers, ranged from 0.60 for UBC-813 to 3.07 for UBC-844, with an average MI value of 1.72.A UPGMA dendrogram was constructed to illustrate the genetic relationships among the clonally selected genotypes and their mother plant, K-2. The 12 genotypes were grouped into two clusters based on genetic similarity values ranging from 0.82 to 0.98 (Table 10 ). Cluster 1, comprising CS-7, CS-8, and K-2, shows lower genetic similarity around 0.84, indicating greater genetic diversity. Cluster 2, which includes the remaining genotypes starting with CS-5, displays higher genetic similarity, suggesting a closer genetic relationship among these genotypes (Fig. 6 ). Table 9. Genetic diversity parameters in 12 mulberry genotypes calculated for ISSR primers Primers TB PB MB PPB PMB Mean PIC RP EMR MI UBC-812 5.00 5.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 7.40 0.31 3.83 7.40 2.32 UBC-813 5.00 3.00 2.00 60.00 40.00 7.40 0.14 3.50 4.44 0.60 UBC-815 8.00 6.00 2.00 75.00 25.00 9.00 0.28 4.00 6.75 1.88 UBC-824 7.00 5.00 2.00 71.43 28.57 7.29 0.18 5.50 5.20 0.92 UBC-834 7.00 6.00 1.00 85.71 14.29 9.14 0.29 3.33 7.84 2.24 UBC-840 8.00 5.00 3.00 62.50 37.50 10.00 0.11 2.67 6.25 0.69 UBC-843 7.00 6.00 1.00 85.71 14.29 8.14 0.29 4.50 6.98 2.01 UBC-844 5.00 5.00 0.00 100.00 0.00 8.00 0.38 3.33 8.00 3.07 Total 52.00 41.00 11.00 80.04 19.96 Mean 6.50 5.13 1.38 80.04 19.96 8.30 0.25 3.83 6.61 1.72 Where: TB=Total band, PB=Polymorphic Band, MB=Monomorphic Band, PPB=Percentage Polymorphic Band, PMB=Percentage Monomorphic Band, PIC=Polymorphic Information Content, RP= Resolving Power of primer, EMR=Effective Multiple Ratios, MI=Marker index Table 10. Genetic similarity coefficients among 12 mulberry genotypes obtained using ISSR markers Genotypes K-2 CS-1 CS-2 CS-3 CS-4 CS-5 CS-6 CS-7 CS-8 CS-9 CS-10 CS-11 K-2 1 CS-1 0.850 1 CS-2 0.861 0.861 1 CS-3 0.767 0.900 0.833 1 CS-4 0.824 0.941 0.824 0.767 1 CS-5 0.846 0.897 0.917 0.900 0.971 1 CS-6 0.784 0.865 0.861 0.900 0.912 0.946 1 CS-7 0.844 0.844 0.813 0.700 0.750 0.844 0.813 1 CS-8 0.889 0.861 0.806 0.800 0.824 0.944 0.833 0.844 1 CS-9 0.806 0.861 0.861 0.867 0.882 0.972 0.944 0.813 0.833 1 CS-10 0.842 0.842 0.889 0.867 0.853 0.895 0.865 0.844 0.889 0.889 1 CS-11 0.825 0.875 0.889 0.867 0.912 0.897 0.865 0.844 0.889 0.861 0.895 1 4 Discussion Clonally propagated crop species exhibit reduced adaptability to environmental changes compared to sexually propagated species, making clonal variation the primary source of adaptive potential for vegetatively propagated plants [ 21 ]. While mutations serve as a key driver of clonal variation independent of sexual reproduction and environmental factors [ 22 ]. Clonal selection remains the principal method for modifying cultivar characteristics without significantly altering varietal integrity; however, this progress is limited to the genetic diversity generated within a crop and its existing clones. Mutations accumulated since a cultivar's inception constitutes the majority of this variation, and once a mutation occurs, cuttings from the mutated clone replicate it almost exactly. Consequently, older cultivars are more likely to exhibit a greater number of clones with distinct mutations due to their slower rate of mutation accumulation, resulting in increased variance compared to newer cultivars [ 23 ]. Plants that undergo bud mutations often display unique traits relative to their parent, including changes in shoot morphology, inflorescence, and fruit, along with modifications in external appearance, internal structure, physiology, and biochemistry [ 24 , 25 ]. This source of novel variation has frequently led to the development of improved fruit and ornamental plant varieties [ 22 ]. The mulberry variety ( Morus indica ) K-2, also known as M-5 (Mysore-5), is an open-pollinated hybrid developed from Mysore local variety seeds at the Sericulture Farm in Channapatna, Ramanagara District, Karnataka, India. Since its introduction in 1990, the K-2 variety has been cultivated under both irrigated and rain-fed conditions across the southern states of India, yielding approximately 30–35 MT/ha/year [ 26 ]. However, it is now largely being replaced by the rolling variety V-1 in traditional sericulture areas of Karnataka. The K-2 cultivar has served as a foundational material for developing improved varieties through hybridization (e.g., var. RFS-135, RFS-175, AR-1, S-13, Sahana, and Suvarna), clonal selection (e.g., var. TG-1), and research into both natural [ 27 ] and induced mutants [ 28 , 29 ]. In this study, we report on the morphometric and genetic variability among clonally-derived genotypes, highlighting their distinct characteristics compared to the mother plant, K-2. The first step in characterizing and categorizing mulberry germplasm is phenotypic characterization [ 30 ], with leaf morphological variation serving as a crucial indicator for detecting differences among plants in mulberry gardens. Key features such as leaf surface, margin, and apex are essential for distinguishing between different mulberry varieties [ 31 ]. Natural mutants of mulberry exhibit alterations in leaf color, surface texture, shape, and size [ 27 , 5 ]. In our study, clonally derived genotypes displayed dark green leaves (CS-5, CS-7, CS-10, and CS-11) and green leaves (CS-2, CS-3, CS-4, CS-6, and CS-8), in contrast to the light green leaves of the mother plant K-2. Chlorophyll content, an indicator of photosynthetic capacity, correlates with leaf color; dark green leaves (CS-5, CS-10, and CS-11) have higher chlorophyll levels [ 32 ]. This characteristic is stable across different environmental conditions [ 33 ] and most improved mulberry varieties feature either dark green or green leaves [ 34 ] .Additionally, genotypes CS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-4, CS-6, CS-7, CS-8, and CS-10 exhibit glossy leaves, contrasting with the non-glossy nature of K-2. A previous report identified a glossy leaf mutant in a K-2 (M-5) mulberry garden [ 27 ], glossy leaves are often more palatable to silkworms ( Bombyx mori ), leading to improved feeding rates and better growth [ 35 ]. Furthermore, CS-8 and CS-9 exhibit wrinkled leaves with prominent veins, unlike the smooth leaves of the mother plant, resembling the Venosa leaf mutant characterized by uneven growth and prominent veins [ 27 ]. The variation in leaf base and shape among clonally derived genotypes (CS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-4, CS-5, CS-7, CS-8, CS-9, CS-10, and CS-11) reflects their adaptation to different ecological conditions [ 36 ], while the smooth surface of the leaves in genotypes CS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-4, CS-6, CS-8, and CS-10 enhances palatability for silkworms [ 37 ]. Morphologically, most genotypes, including K-2, displayed an erect growth habit and straight branching, which is beneficial for maximizing light capture and promoting healthy growth [ 38 ]. Accessory buds were present across all genotypes, which is advantageous for potential branching and vegetative propagation [ 39 ]. Identifying the types, traits, and morphological structures of the buds is crucial for effective variety cultivation, selection, and breeding [ 40 ]. Plant vigor is a vital consideration in mulberry breeding, influencing not only the success of the breeding program but also the sustainability and profitability of mulberry cultivation. Breeding for vigor helps produce resilient, high-quality cultivars that can thrive in diverse environmental conditions [ 41 ]. The plant growth vigor observed in genotypes CS-1, CS-4, CS-5, and CS-6 is significantly higher than that of their mother plant, characterized by greater shoot girth, leaf area, leaf specific weight, and leaf yield. In the clonally derived genotypes, petiole length showed a negative correlation with leaf yield, whereas branch length, internodal distance, leaf area, leaf specific weight, moisture content, moisture retention capacity, and leaf thickness all demonstrated significant positive correlations with leaf yield per plant [ 42 ]. Reproductive traits demonstrated notable diversity, particularly with the predominance of gynoecious forms, which can influence pollination and fruiting patterns. The higher number of inflorescences in CS-4 indicates its potential for increased fruit yield, a vital consideration for mulberry's economic value [ 43 ]. Understanding the anatomical structure of mulberry leaves can provide insights into their physiological functions, adaptability to environments, and nutritional value.The quality of a leaf is influenced by its structural features and the presence of trichomes, which are associated with various physiological processes [ 44 ]. In mulberry genotypes that have undergone clonal evolution, anatomical changes in leaves are often observed to facilitate growth under diverse agro-climatic conditions [ 37 , 17 ]. Increased leaf thickness (CS-1, CS-6, CS-7, and CS-10), cuticle thickness (CS-6 and CS-7), and the proportion of palisade tissue were noted in clonally derived genotypes compared to their mother plant. The mesophyll tissue, comprising palisade and spongy parenchyma, serves as the primary photosynthetic zone, contributing significantly to leaf thickness [ 45 ]. Conversely, reduced stomatal frequency (CS-6 and CS-8) and smaller stomatal size (CS-2) were observed in clonally evolved genotypes relative to K-2. Leaf moisture content and retention capacity are influenced by factors such as cuticle thickness, leaf thickness, mesophyll tissue, stomatal size, and frequency [ 46 ]. (Mulberry genotypes with smaller stomata and lower frequency demonstrate reduced water loss, thereby exhibiting enhanced tolerance under stress conditions [ 47 , 45 ]. Additionally, the decreased number of trichomes in CS-6 and CS-7 renders the leaves more palatable to silkworms [ 48 ]. Variations in anatomical characteristics provide robust evidence for adaptation to challenging environments [ 49 ]. The nutritional status of mulberry leaves, determined by moisture, protein, carbohydrates, and minerals, directly affects silkworm productivity [ 50 ]. Feeding trials indicate that nutrient levels in mulberry significantly influence silkworm growth and cocoon production [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. Moisture content is crucial for enhancing nutritional quality, with higher levels facilitating better feeding and digestion in silkworm larvae [ 55 , 56 , 57 ]. In this study, genotypes CS-1, CS-3, CS-4, CS-6, CS-7, CS-9, and CS-11 showed over 75% moisture content, compared to 62.78% in K-2. Ideal moisture content for Chawki silkworms is 75–80% [ 26 ]. The moisture retention capacity is also vital, as it affects leaf freshness and palatability [ 32 ]. Higher chlorophyll content (6.17 mg/g) in CS-6 mulberry leaves enhances the leaf's photosynthetic efficiency, leading to greater production of sugars and other essential nutrients that are crucial for silkworms. Proteins and carbohydrates are fundamental macronutrients for the optimal growth, development, and silk production of silkworms [ 58 , 59 ]. CS-6 stands out due to its superior nutritional profile, with protein (27.22%) and carbohydrates (15.33%) content, making it an ideal choice for silkworm feeding. This high nutrient content promotes healthier silkworm growth, improved silk yield, and better silk quality.Due to its exceptional nutrient profile, CS-6 is of great importance in mulberry breeding programs, where it can be utilized to develop new varieties with enhanced nutritional value for silkworm rearing. The adoption of such high-nutrient genotypes can significantly boost the efficiency and profitability of sericulture operations by improving both silkworm productivity and silk quality, ensuring sustainable and high-yielding sericulture practices [ 60 ]. Clonally propagated plants exhibit clonal diversity due to molecular processes such as transposon activity, gene mutation, somatic recombination, and DNA methylation [ 61 ]. One method to assess genetic variability in these variants is through flow cytometry analysis of genome size. Clonal variants displayed a range of 2C DNA contents, with CS-4 and CS-7 showing lower values, while CS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-5, CS-6, CS-8, CS-9, CS-10, and CS-11 exhibited higher values compared to the mother plant K-2. Spontaneous mutations often lead to cultivars with altered DNA content [ 62 ]. The plasticity of nuclear genomes at the chromosomal level is evidenced by changes in chromosomal number, structure, and DNA composition, with repetitive DNA sequences playing a significant role in plant chromosomal evolution [ 63 ]. Variations in karyotype between genotypes are generally attributed to the acquisition, deletion, alteration, and rearrangement of nuclear DNA [ 64 , 65 ]. Banding pattern polymorphism in clonal genotypes is often due to restriction enzyme target site mutations, which can result in three-band differences, or DNA rearrangements such as deletions or insertions, leading to two-band differences [66, 67]. In this context, the clonal genotypes of the mulberry cultivar K-2 have evolved through natural bud mutations, resulting in novel phenotypes that are distinctly different from those of the mother plant K-2. 5 Conclusion The exploration of natural variability in mulberry through clonal selection offers a promising pathway for developing improved cultivars that meet the demands of sericulture.The findings from this study present a comprehensive understanding of the genetic diversity among the mulberry genotypes. This diversity can be strategically utilized in breeding programs to select for traits that enhance growth, productivity, and nutritional quality, ultimately improving the sustainability and profitability of mulberry cultivation in sericulture. Future research should focus on elucidating the genetic basis of these traits and exploring their interactions with environmental factors to fully realize the potential of these promising genotypes. Declarations Acknowledgements: We express our sincere gratitude to the Department of Studies in Sericulture Science, University of Mysore, Mysuru, Karnataka, India, for providing access to essential research facilities. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru, for generously providing the flow cytometry facilities. Our sincere appreciation goes to the sericulture farmers who supported us during the survey period. Author Contributions: R. - Conceptualization, conducting field surveys, identification and collection of clonal variants, experimental execution, data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation. H.B. - Supervision, data curation, and manuscript draft revision. Funding: There is no funding received for conducting the research. Data availability: The necessary information is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. 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(1971) Introduction to practical biochemistry.McGraw Hill Co. Ltd, UK. Vijayan, K., Das, K. K., Chakraborti, S. P., and Roy, B. N. (1998). Heterosis for yield and related characters in mulberry. Indian Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding, 58(3), 369–374. Kumara R. R. and Ramesh H. L. (2022) Genetic variation, heritability, correlation and path analysis for leaf yield traits in clonally selected mulberry genotypes ( Morus spp.). J. plant dev. sci., 14:587–591. Vijayan, K., Ravikumar, G., Tikader, A. (2018). Mulberry ( Morus spp.) Breeding for Higher Fruit Production. In: Al-Khayri, J., Jain, S., Johnson, D. (eds) Advances in Plant Breeding Strategies: Fruits. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-91944-7_3 Laltanmawii and Roychowdhuri S. Effects of chromosomal variations on morphology and leaf anatomical behaviours in mulberry ( Morus sp.). Journal of Crop and Weed 6(2)35–39: (2010). Rao A A, A Tikader, Ravindran, V Girish Naik and P Mukherjee. Leaf Morpho-Anatomical Variability in Mulberry (Morus spp.) Germplasm. Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources, Vol. i6, No.1 (2003). Ninge Gowda KN, Sudhakar (2002) Studies on the leaf moisture of some exotic mulberry varieties. In: Advances in Sericulture Research, Proceedings (National Conference on Strategies for Sericulture Research and Development, 16–18, November, 2000). India: Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute, Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. Susheelamma, K., & Jolly, M. S. (1986). Evaluation of morpho-physiological parameters associated with drought resistance in mulberry, 25, 06–14. Kesavacharyulu K., Kumar V. and Sarkar A. (2004) Scanning electron microscopic studies on leaf surface trichomes in mulberry and its influence on rearing performance of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. Int. J. Ind. Entomol., 8: 33–41. Karakurt H. Aslantaş R. (2008) The Formation and Changing Physiology of Plant Colour Pigments, Alatarım. 7 (2); 34–41. Bongale, U. D. and Chaluvachari (1995) Evaluation of eight mulberry germplasm varieties by leaf biochemical and bioassay moulting studies. Sericologia, 35(1): 83–94. Susheelamma BN, Geethadevi RG, Jolly Jalaja MS, et al. Effect of different mulberry varieties on silkworm, Bombyx mori (L.). Insect Science and Its Application. 1989;10(3):359–363. Kumar H, Priya Y S, Kumar M and Elangovan V, 2013. Effect of Different Mulberry Varieties and Seasons on Growth and Economic Traits of Bivoltine Silkworm (Bombyx mori). Journal of Entomology, 10: 147–155. Yogan V, Narayanappaa M, Ramesh H L, Lokesh G, Muni Rajappa, Yadav BRD Assessment of six Mulberry (Morus) Germplasm varieties through Moulting and Bioassay parameters by using Crossbreed Silkworms Bombyx mori L. for Commercial Exploitation in Kolar District, Karnataka, India. Int. Res. J. Biological Sci., Volume 2, Issue (9), Pages 69–75, September,10 (2013). Alipanah, Masoud, Abedian, Zabihollah, Nasiri, Abdolazim, Sarjamei, Farid, Nutritional Effects of Three Mulberry Varieties on Silkworms in Torbat Heydarieh, Psyche: A Journal of Entomology, 2020, 6483427, 4 pages, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6483427 Paul, D. C., Subba Rao, G. and Deb, D. C (1992) Impact of dietary moisture on nutritional indices and growth of Bombyx mori and concomitant larval duration. J. Insect. Physiol., 38, 229–235. Rahmathulla V. K., Himantharaj M.T., SRINIVASA G., RAJAN R.K. Association of moisture content in mulberry leaf with nutritional parameters of bivoltine silkworm ( Bombyx mori L. ).. Acta Entomologica Sinica, Acta Entomologica Sinica, 2004, 47(6): 701–704 Rahmathulla V.K., R. Tilak and R. K, Rajan. Influence of Moisture Content of Mulberry Leaf on Growth and Silk Production in Bombyx mori L. Caspian J. Env. Sci. 2006, Vol. 4 No.1 pp. 25–30. Horie Y. (1978) Quantitative requirements for growth of the silkworm Bombyx mori L. JARQ, 12:211–217. Hiratsuka E (1917) Researches on the nutrition of the silkworm. Shanghi Shikenjo Hokoku Tech. Bull., 2: 353–412. Machii, H. and Katagiri, K. 1991. Varietal differences in nutritive values of mulberry leaves for rearing silkworms. JARQ, 25: 202–208. Breto M. P., Ruiz C., Pina J. A. and Asins M. J. (2001) The diversification of Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan., a vegetatively propagated crop species. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol., 21: 285–293. Ortega-Ortega J, Ramirez-Ortega F, Ruiz-Medrano R, Xoconostle Cazares B (2019) Analysis of genome size of sixteen Coffea arabica cultivars using flow cytometry. Hort Sci 54, 998–1004. Li SF, Su T, Cheng GQ, Wang BX, Li X, Deng CL, Gao WJ. Chromosome Evolution in Connection with Repetitive Sequences and Epigenetics in Plants. Genes (Basel). 2017;8(10):290. Eichler E.E., Sankoff D. Structural dynamics of eukaryotic chromosome evolution. Science. 2003;301:793–797. Dobigny G., Britton-Davidian J., Robinson T.J. Chromosomal polymorphism in mammals: An evolutionary perspective. Biol. Rev. 2017;92:1–21. Tenover FC, Arbeit RD, Goering RV, Mickelsen PA, Murray BE, Persing DP, et al. (1995) Interpreting chromosomal DNA restriction patterns produced by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis: criteria for bacterial strain typing. J Clin Microbiol 33, 2233–2239. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5583674","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":391404866,"identity":"4e0118c6-89a2-421f-8f00-17370265cdb5","order_by":0,"name":"RAVI KUMARA R","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"CSB - Muga P-3 Seed Station","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"RAVI","middleName":"KUMARA","lastName":"R","suffix":""},{"id":391404869,"identity":"021ac388-872c-4243-a34c-1e828e014056","order_by":1,"name":"MANJUNATHA H.B.","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA8ElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYJACAwjBw8bwAchgYydSiwRIC+MMkBZmIm0Ca2HmATEJadFtP3ugmHeHXZ05+9ljj21+bZPnY2Zg/PAxB7cWszN5Cca8Z5IlLHvy0o1z+24btjEzMEvO3IZHy4EcA2PeNmYJgwM5ZtK5PbcZgVrYmHnxaTn/BqSlXsLg/Bszacue2/aEtdwA23JYwuAG0BaGH7cTidDyxsBwbttxyQ033pgb9jbcTm5jZmzG75fzOWYGb9uq+Q2AjAc//ty2nd/efPDDRzxagIDNAM5kbAOTDXjVAwHzAwT7DyHFo2AUjIJRMBIBAFtVTcQWs49KAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"University of Mysore","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"MANJUNATHA","middleName":"","lastName":"H.B.","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-12-05 04:38:27","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5583674/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5583674/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":71872316,"identity":"1cec680c-71cd-42b1-b807-7f15a2f490e1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-19 10:26:50","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":871571,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eMorphological view of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5583674/v1/b02beea86e2f2f0d668d26b5.png"},{"id":71872528,"identity":"cbd54e07-ef1e-454f-8b0e-d28bd861881c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-19 10:34:50","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":964366,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eLeaf morphological view of mother plant K-2 (a) and its clonally derived genotypes \u003cem\u003eviz.,\u003c/em\u003e CS-1 (b), CS-2 (c), CS-3 (d), CS-4 (e), CS-5 (f), CS-6 (g), CS-7 (h), CS-8 (i), CS-9 (j), CS-10 (k), and CS-11 (l)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5583674/v1/15c7156584f2e29de228e053.png"},{"id":71872319,"identity":"f83e2115-ec8b-4dbc-86ef-cefda523ca10","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-19 10:26:50","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":709115,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eLeaf anatomical view (50 µm) of mother plant K-2 (a) and its clonally derived genotypes \u003cem\u003eviz.,\u003c/em\u003e CS-1 (b), CS-2 (c), CS-3 (d), CS-4 (e), CS-5 (f), CS-6 (g), CS-7 (h), CS-8 (i), CS-9 (j), CS-10 (k), and CS-11 (l)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5583674/v1/e1e75346839837f36fe5194b.png"},{"id":71872320,"identity":"d8a93068-5144-4b08-939c-2795227cca15","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-19 10:26:50","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":446739,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSomatic chromosomes of K-2 (a); Representative histogram of the flow cytometry analysis in K-2 (b)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5583674/v1/aeb0b58825dfa3ae69d8dc5f.png"},{"id":71872533,"identity":"f3b6e64c-7386-4191-a7ae-68e3ab4b8888","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-19 10:34:51","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":370416,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eISSR banding patterns between the mother plant, K-2 and its clonal variants\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5583674/v1/1f792260db2d02c7eba973a7.png"},{"id":71872325,"identity":"0a0916e4-7776-46bb-87ce-445eddb2da58","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-12-19 10:26:51","extension":"png","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":27238,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eUPGMA Dendrogram depicting relationships among 12 genotypes\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"image6.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5583674/v1/d42ad94afd196d6581e9e958.png"},{"id":80607408,"identity":"7e92a7eb-0d89-4ec4-8976-7a9dfa146af0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-04-15 07:01:56","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":7012849,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-5583674/v1/22752630-f3d4-42a9-9591-f98be402e9a2.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Exploring natural variability in the mulberry (Morus indica) cultivar, Kanva-2 through clonal selection","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eIn India, the mulberry is cultivated about 2, 63,302 ha for rearing the silkworm \u003cem\u003eBombyx mori\u003c/em\u003e and produced 29892 MT of mulberry raw silk during 2023-24 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e]. Many improved mulberry varieties with respect to different agro-climatic zones as well as tolerance against various stressesare available in India, and their leaf yielding potential is upto 80 MT/ha/year. Mainly conventional breeding methods are used to develop many popular mulberry varieties such as introduction of foreign varieties (S-1, Goshoerami, and Kosen), selection through open pollination (Kanva-2, MR-2, S-13, S-34, RFS-135, RFS-175, AR-11, S-146, and Ber. S-799), clonal selection (TG-1, Chinese White, Anantha, Vishwa, and Vishala), systematic hybridization (RC-1, RC-2, Sahana ,V-1, G-2, G-4, MSG-2, AGB-8, BC2-59, C-763, C-776, C-2016, C-2017, C-2028, C-2038, C-2058, C-2060, and C-1360), mutation induction (S-30, S-36, S-41, and S-54), and development of triploids (Tr-10, C-1730, Tr-23, S-1635, S-1608, AR-12, and Suvarna-2) by crossing between diploid and tetraploid parents [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenetic variability plays a crucial role in enhancing mulberry plant improvement. It contributes to increased yields, improved leaf quality, adaptability to diverse stress conditions, and heightened resistance to pests and diseases. The genetic resources of mulberries serve as a foundation for effective crop management. Activities such as collection, introduction, and exchange of genetic materials are essential for enriching the existing gene pool, providing breeders with extensive opportunities for further advancements in mulberry cultivation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e]. Currently, India maintains 1,317 mulberry accessions in an \u003cem\u003eex-situ\u003c/em\u003e field gene bank at the Central Sericultural Germplasm Resources Centre (CSGRC) in Hosur. These accessions are evaluated and characterized, with useful traits documented [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Mulberry is a perennial, cross-pollinated plant characterized by high heterozygosity and notable inbreeding depression during sexual reproduction. To address this, clonal propagation is used to generate genetically identical plants. However, the morphological variations often observed in mulberry gardens among plants of the same variety are primarily due to phenotypic plasticity, which refers to changes induced by environmental factors or mechanical mixtures that can occur during collection and propagation. In contrast, genetic variation within a clone can result from mutations, contributing to genetic diversity even within the same variety [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExploring clonal variants is a crucial breeding strategy for developing new cultivars with superior traits in mulberry cultivation in India. Bud mutation serves as an important source of plant variation, allowing for the direct selection of new varieties and providing valuable germplasm for hybrid breeding. This method is both simple and effective for generating new cultivars [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, the unique traits arising from bud mutations can be reliably maintained through asexual reproduction methods, such as grafting and cutting, and can be inherited by subsequent generations [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e]. In this context, the present study focuses on clonal selection in mulberry, with special emphasis on shade tolerance. It involves exploration and surveying in coconut orchards, where mulberry is cultivated as an intercrop, with the aim of characterizing, conserving, and utilizing the diverse genetic resources available.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2 Materials and methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1 Exploration, survey, and collection\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted considering\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;20 years old mulberry gardens, wherein cv. Kanva-2 (K-2) was intercropped with coconut palms in the traditional sericulture areas. The region has a dry climate with temperatures ranging from 19\u0026ndash;36\u0026deg;C, humidity of 63\u0026ndash;77%, and average rainfall of 868.7 mm. Soils are primarily deep red clay, shallow red, and red sandy loam. The mulberry variants were identified through visual observation of the existing cultivars in the gardens. To ensure a proper comparative analysis, selected variants were propagated from cuttings, maintaining both the variant and its corresponding mother plant over a one-year period. The study considered 26 different morphotypes of mulberry, of which 11 exhibited clear morphological differences from the standard K-2 variety. The remaining 15 variants showed similar traits when exposed to full sunlight but exhibited notable variations when grown under the shade of coconut palms, indicating phenotypic plasticity. Out of the 11 variants that exhibited differences from K-2, further studies were conducted on 11 specific genotypes, which were selected and named CS-1 to CS-11 for detailed analysis.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2 Establishment of evaluation plot and management\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe clonally selected 6-month-old mulberry saplings were planted at the experimental plot, Department of Sericulture Science, University of Mysore, Mysuru, using a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications, consisting of six plants/genotype/replication, at a spacing of 90 x 90 cm under irrigated conditions. The soil was red loam with a pH of 6.9 and standard package of practices were followed commonly. After one year of establishment, eight successive harvests were taken with an interval of 65\u0026ndash;70 days, and all the harvests were made by shoot pruning at 45 cm height. Farmyard manure was applied at a rate of 20 MT/ha/yr in two split doses. Chemical fertilizers were also applied at a rate of 350:140:140 kg NPK/ha/yr, divided into five split doses. Plant protection measures were ensured throughout the experiment.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3 Morpho-metric analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMorphological, growth, yield, reproductive, and anatomical parameters of the mulberry variants were recorded according to established descriptors [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e]. For biochemical analyses, protein content was estimated using the method of Lowry \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e], carbohydrate levels following Plumer [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e], and chlorophyll content was measured based on the method by Hiscox and Israelstam [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e]. Samples were taken from leaves in the 7th to 9th order, following the respective protocols. The Data were analyzed adopting the method of one-way analysis of variance using the Statistical Tool for Agricultural Research (STAR). Tukey\u0026rsquo;s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) was used for testing of significance\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.4 Cytological studies\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe somatic chromosome number was determined in root and shoot tip cells using standard cytological techniques [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. Mulberry root tips were treated with 2% colchicine for 3 hours, hydrolyzed in 1N HCl for 10 minutes at 40\u0026deg;C, stained with 2% aceto-orcein, and squashed in 45% acetic acid. For terminal shoots, pre-treatment involved 0.1% colchicine\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;0.001 M 8-hydroxyquinoline for 4 hours, followed by hydrolyzation in 1N HCl for 20 minutes at 25\u0026deg;C. The shoot tips were digested in 5% cellulose for 3\u0026ndash;4 hours at 37\u0026deg;C, stained with 2% aceto-carmine, and squashed in 45% acetic acid. Chromosomes were examined under a microscope and photomicrographed. Chromosome length was estimated (6 cells/genotype) during metaphase stage by using IdeoKar software [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e] and mean values were calculated.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.5 Determination of nuclear DNA content\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe nuclear DNA content of mulberry genotypes was estimated using flow cytometry (FCM) as described by Galbraith \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e]. Nuclei were isolated from 40 mg of fresh mulberry leaves, using \u003cem\u003ePisum sativum\u003c/em\u003e (2C\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;9.09 pg) as the reference standard. The tissue was chopped in a hypotonic propidium iodide buffer, filtered, and incubated at 37\u0026deg;C. FCM analysis was performed on a BD LSR Fortessa\u0026trade; cell analyzer, with data processed using BD FACS Diva 8.0.3 Software. Ploidy was calculated using the formula: Ploidy\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Reference ploidy \u0026times; (mean G1 peak position of sample / mean G1 peak position of reference), with 1 pg\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;980 Mbp.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.6 Molecular studies\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.6.1 Genomic DNA extraction, Primer selection, PCR amplification, and Gel electrophoresis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenomic DNA was extracted from young mulberry leaves using the cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide CTAB method [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e] and a plant genomic DNA purification kit (HIPurATM, HIMEDIA). DNA quantity was assessed using a Nanodrop Spectrophotometer (Thermo Scientific) and quality confirmed on a 1.0% agarose gel. ISSR markers (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e) were used for PCR amplification [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e], with thermal cycling on an Applied Biosystems cycler: initial denaturation at 94\u0026deg;C for 5 minutes, 35 cycles of denaturation at 94\u0026deg;C for 1 minute, annealing at 48\u0026ndash;60\u0026deg;C for 45 seconds, extension at 72\u0026deg;C for 2 minutes, a final extension at 72\u0026deg;C for 7 minutes, and cooling at 4\u0026deg;C. PCR products were separated on a 2% agarose gel in 1X TAE buffer, with a 100 bp DNA ladder (Gene DireX and Himedia) as a size reference. Gel images were captured under UV light, and molecular sizes were estimated using a 2000 bp ladder.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1: List of ISSR primers and their sequences\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"72%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSl.No.\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrimers\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNucleotide Sequence (5\u0026rsquo;- 3\u0026rsquo;)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSize (bp)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-812\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAA\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e300\u0026ndash;1500\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-813\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTT\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e300\u0026ndash;1500\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-815\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTG\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e300\u0026ndash;1500\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e4\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-824\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCG\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e300\u0026ndash;2000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-834\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGYT\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e200\u0026ndash;1500\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-840\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAYT\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e300\u0026ndash;1000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e7\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-843\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTRA\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e300\u0026ndash;1500\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e8\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-844\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTRC\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e300\u0026ndash;2000\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eWhere Y = C and T \u0026amp; R= A/G\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/br\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.6.2 Analysis of genetic diversity\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe reproducible amplified bands were manually scored as present (1) or absent (0) for each primer and genotype, creating a binary matrix. This data was used to calculate similarity coefficients, which were then applied to construct a dendrogram using the UPGMA method in NTSYS software. Genetic diversity of genotypes was analysed by calculating the percentage of polymorphic bands (PPB), percentage of monomorphic bands (PMB), and the Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) of each primer [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e]. Resolving power was computed as per Prevost and Wilkinson [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e]. All statistical analyses were performed using NTSYS Software [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3 Results","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1 Plant morphology\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMorphological traits are essential for breeding programs aimed at improving mulberry varieties. The assessment of morphological traits in the mother plant K-2 and its clonally derived genotypes reveals variability for some characters (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). K-2 exhibited medium growth vigor, while the clonally derived genotypes showed a range of growth potentials: high vigor in CS-1, CS-4, CS-5, and CS-6; low vigor in CS-2, CS-8, and CS-9; and medium vigor in CS-3, CS-7, CS-10, and CS-11. Morphologically, most genotypes, including K-2, displayed an erect growth habit and straight branching. In contrast, CS-5 exhibited a spreading growth habit with slightly curved branches. All genotypes shared a consistent shoot color, characterized by greyish-green hues, and featured medium-sized, acute triangular buds. Accessory buds were present across all genotypes. The stipule characteristics were uniform, with all genotypes exhibiting free-lateral stipules that are caduceus. Notably, the shape of lenticels varied between the mother plant and its clones. K-2 had oval and elliptical lenticels, while CS-2 and CS-5 presented round and oval shapes, respectively (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMorphological traits of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"13\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c13\" colnum=\"13\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenotypes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVigour\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrowth habit\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBranch nature\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eColour of mature shoot\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLenticel shape\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMature bud size\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBud shape\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBud attachment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccessory\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ebud\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStipule nature\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStipule duration\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePetiole groove\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eK \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eErect\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStraight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreyish green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOval \u0026amp; Elliptical\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute triangle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdhering\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eto branch\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-lateral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaducous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbsent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eErect\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStraight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreyish green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOval \u0026amp; Elliptical\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute triangle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdhering\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eto branch\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-lateral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaducous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbsent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eErect\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStraight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreyish green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRound \u0026amp; Oval\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute triangle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdhering\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eto branch\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-lateral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaducous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbsent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eErect\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStraight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreyish green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOval \u0026amp; Elliptical\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute triangle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdhering\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eto branch\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-lateral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaducous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbsent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eErect\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStraight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreyish green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOval \u0026amp; Elliptical\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute triangle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdhering\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eto branch\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-lateral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaducous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbsent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpreading\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSlightly curved\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreyish green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRound \u0026amp; Oval\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute triangle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdhering\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eto branch\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-lateral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaducous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbsent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHigh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eErect\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStraight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreyish green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOval \u0026amp; Elliptical\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute triangle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdhering\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eto branch\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-lateral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaducous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbsent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;7\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eErect\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStraight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreyish green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOval \u0026amp; Elliptical\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute triangle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdhering\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eto branch\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-lateral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaducous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbsent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;8\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eErect\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStraight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreyish green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOval \u0026amp; Elliptical\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute triangle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdhering\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eto branch\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-lateral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaducous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbsent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLow\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eErect\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStraight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreyish green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRound \u0026amp; Elliptical\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute triangle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdhering\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eto branch\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-lateral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaducous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbsent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;10\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eErect\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStraight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreyish green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOval \u0026amp; Elliptical\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute triangle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdhering\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eto branch\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-lateral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaducous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbsent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;11\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eErect\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStraight\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreyish green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOval \u0026amp; Elliptical\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMedium\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute triangle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdhering\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eto branch\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFree-lateral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCaducous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbsent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2 Leaf morphology\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf morphological traits are essential for distinguishing among mulberry variants, as evidenced by the characteristics of the mother plant K-2 and its clonal derivatives. K-2 features light green, non-glossy leaves with a truncate base and a slightly rough surface. In contrast, clonal variants display a range of colours, from light green in CS-1 and CS-9 to dark green in CS-5, CS-10, and CS-11. Variants like CS-1 and CS-6 exhibit strongly glossy leaves. Additionally, CS-8 and CS-9 show wrinkled leaves with impressed veins, diverging from K-2's smooth texture. Variation in leaf base shapes among different clones of a plant, where the clones (CS-1, CS-3, CS-4, CS-5, and CS-6) show cordate leaf bases, while the mother plant has a truncate leaf base (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). The combination of leaf color, texture, shape, and venation provides clear morphological markers that can be used to identify different mulberry clones.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.3 Propagation, growth and yield parameters\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe assessment of various growth and yield parameters among genotypes reveals significant variations across multiple traits. Sprouting percentage ranged from 66.31 to 95.33%, with K-2 and genotypes CS-1, CS-3, and CS-8 showing the highest rates, while CS-9 had the lowest. For survivability, percentages varied from 57.24 to 91.49%, with CS-8 demonstrating the highest survivability. The number of branches per plant ranged from 5 to 11, with CS-7 having the most branches, exhibiting an 8.27% increase over K-2. In terms of shoot length, genotypes ranged from 80.01 to 132.12 cm, with CS-7 showing the greatest length. Inter-nodal lengths varied from 4.68 to 6.64 cm, with CS-3 exhibiting the longest internodes. The petiole lengths ranged from 3.78 to 5.80 cm, with CS-11 measuring the longest. Leaf area varied from 147.76 to 379.62 cm\u0026sup2;, with CS-5 recording the largest area. The shoot girth size ranged from 0.53 to 1.30 cm, with CS-5 being the highest girth. The leaf-specific weight ranged from 14.23 to 20.09 mg, with CS-6 being the thickest. Total leaf yield per plant varied significantly, from 101.71 to 648.24 g, with CS-5 achieving the highest yield. The moisture content of fresh leaves ranged from 72.78 to 77.34%, with CS-6 having the highest percentage, while moisture retention after six hours varied from 59.78\u0026ndash;73.34%, with CS-6 again leading in retention (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e Leaf morphological characteristics of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"14\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c13\" colnum=\"13\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c14\" colnum=\"14\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenotypes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf colour\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf glossiness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf wrinkles\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf apex\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf base\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf margin\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf surface\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf texture\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf shape\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf angle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf nature\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf lobation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf hairiness\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eK \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eL Light\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eG green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eglossy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-wrinkle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcuminate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTruncate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrenate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSlightly rough\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharataceous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOvate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomophyllous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlobed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlabrous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLight green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStrongly-glossy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-wrinkle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcuminate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCordate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrenate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSmooth\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharataceous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCordate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomophyllous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlobed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlabrous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlossy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-wrinkle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcuminate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTruncate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrenate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSmooth\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharataceous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNarrow ovate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomophyllous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlobed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlabrous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlossy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-wrinkle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcuminate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCordate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrenate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSmooth\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharataceous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCordate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomophyllous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlobed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlabrous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlossy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-wrinkle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcuminate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCordate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrenate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSmooth\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharataceous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWide\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eovate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomophyllous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlobed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlabrous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDark-green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eglossy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-wrinkle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcuminate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCordate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrenate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSmooth\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharataceous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCordate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomophyllous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlobed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSparsely hairy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStrongly-glossy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-wrinkle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcuminate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCordate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrenate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSmooth\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharataceous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCordate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomophyllous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlobed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlabrous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;7\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDark-green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlossy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-wrinkle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcuminate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTruncate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrenate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSmooth\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharataceous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNarrow ovate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomophyllous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlobed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlabrous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;8\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGreen\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlossy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWrinkle with impressed veins\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcuminate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTruncate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrenate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSmooth\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharataceous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNarrow ovate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomophyllous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlobed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlabrous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLight green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eglossy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWrinkle with impressed veins\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcuminate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTruncate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrenate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSlightly rough\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharataceous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCordate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHorizontal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomophyllous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlobed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSparsely hairy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;10\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDark green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlossy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-wrinkle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcuminate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTruncate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrenate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSmooth\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharataceous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNarrow ovate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomophyllous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlobed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGlabrous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;11\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDark green\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eglossy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNon-wrinkle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcuminate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTruncate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrenate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSlightly rough\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharataceous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNarrow ovate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAcute\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHomophyllous\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlobed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c14\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSparsely hairy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.4 Reproductive traits\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eMost mulberry genotypes, including the mother plant K-2, displayed a gynoecious nature with pubescent, spreading stigmas and black fruits, except for CS-2 (androecious) and CS-5 (bisexual). Significant variation was noted in the average number of inflorescences per plant, with CS-4 producing the highest at 49, while CS-11 had the lowest at 21; K-2 had 45 inflorescences. Inflorescence lengths varied, measuring 0.31 to 1.87 cm for females, 2.25 cm for males, and 1.44 cm for bisexuals. Additionally, the number of flowers per inflorescence ranged from 12 to 20 for female catkins, 16 for male catkins, and 14 for bisexual catkins (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e Propagation, growth and yield parameters of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"13\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c10\" colnum=\"10\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c11\" colnum=\"11\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c12\" colnum=\"12\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c13\" colnum=\"13\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenotypes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSprouting\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSurvivability\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo. of branches/\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eplant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShoot length\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInternode\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003elength\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePetiole\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003elength\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf area\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eShot girth\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf specific weight\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(mg/cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf moisture content\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf moisture retention (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eYield/\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eK \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95.33\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87.44\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.76\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e99.11\u003csup\u003ebcd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.51\u003csup\u003ebcd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.35\u003csup\u003eef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e148.24\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.85\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.47\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.78\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e62.78\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e328.27\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94.51\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.56\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.45\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e106.74\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.99\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.82\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e338.23\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.09\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.92b\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.07\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.07\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e422.98\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.68\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78.04\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.48\u003csup\u003eefg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e99.68\u003csup\u003ebcd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.00\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.78\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e236.59\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.82\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.23\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.78\u003csup\u003ebcd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.78\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e224.43\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94.13 \u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e89.17\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.94\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91.58\u003csup\u003ecdef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.64\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.56\u003csup\u003edef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e181.04\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.85\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.71\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75.66\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68.66\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e326.52\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e88.01\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.09\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.92\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87.65\u003csup\u003edef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.68\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.63\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e273.77\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.06\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.28\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.67\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.67\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e425.43\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.17 \u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e83.78\u003csup\u003ebcd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.08\u003csup\u003efg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e109.06\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.2\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.25\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e379.62\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.30\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.36\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.42\u003csup\u003ebcd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.42\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e648.24\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.00 \u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e89.14\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.39\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.01\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.21\u003csup\u003ecde\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.26\u003csup\u003eef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e335.66\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.00\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.09\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e77.34\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73.34\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e411.53\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;7\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e89.04 \u003csup\u003ebcd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e84.36\u003csup\u003ebcd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.65\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e132.12\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.01\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.10\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250.39\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.80\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.4\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75.39\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e71.39\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e320.28\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;8\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94.62 \u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91.49\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.55\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.66\u003csup\u003eef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.63\u003csup\u003ebcd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.30\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e147.76\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.53\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.47\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73.95\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.95\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e101.71\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.31\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.24\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.41\u003csup\u003edef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96.9\u003csup\u003ebcd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.30\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.15\u003csup\u003efg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e240.02\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.77\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.63\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75.64\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65.64\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e249.82\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;10\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85.66\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.66\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.44\u003csup\u003eefg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e104.38\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.70\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.46\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e262.41\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.85\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.51\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74.65\u003csup\u003ebcd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.65\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e324.29\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;11\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91.11 \u003csup\u003eabcd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85.19\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.55\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95.96\u003csup\u003ebcde\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.03\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.80\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e254.29\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.75\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.53\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.34\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e66.34\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e256.26\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMean\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSD\u0026plusmn;\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSignificance\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e89.30\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8.04\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e*\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e82.50\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e9.32\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e*\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8.30\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.97\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e98.81\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e13.83\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e*\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5.49\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.65\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e4.79\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.60\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e254.00\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e72.80\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e*\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.89\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.19\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e16.29\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.50\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c11\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e75.31\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.26\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c12\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e66.14\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.55\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c13\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e336.65\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e134.98\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e*\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.5 Leaf anatomical features\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe leaf anatomical traits in clonally selected mulberry genotypes revealed significant variations against their mother plant. Leaf thickness ranged from 53.83 to 173.52 \u0026micro;m, with CS-6 being the thickest, while CS-8 was the thinnest. Cuticle thickness varied from 2.95 to 8.11 \u0026micro;m, with CS-6 again showing the highest value. The palisade proportion ranged from 27.54 to 42.33%, while the spongy proportion varied from 17.16 to 48.33%, with CS-6 having the highest spongy tissue (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e). Stomatal frequency ranged from 357 to 762 no./mm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, with CS-4 leading, and stomatal size varied from 193.56 to 254.16 \u0026micro;m, with CS-6 having the largest. Chloroplast numbers per guard cell ranged from 6 to 16, with CS-6 showing the most, and trichome counts varied from 6 to 57 no./mm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e, with CS-8 having the highest (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e Reproductive traits of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"8\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenotypes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSex expression\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo. of inflorescence /plant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eInflorescence length (cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo. of flowers /inflorescence\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStigma nature\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStigma type\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFruit colour\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eK \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGynoecious\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.23\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.76\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.36\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePubescent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpreading\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlack\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGynoecious\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.04\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.25\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.63\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePubescent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpreading\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlack\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAndroecious\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.58\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.25\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.37\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNA\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGynoecious\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.87\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.98\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.59\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePubescent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpreading\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlack\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGynoecious\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e49.37\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.11\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.36\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePubescent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpreading\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlack\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBisexual\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.74\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.44\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.38\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePubescent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpreading\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlack\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGynoecious\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.05\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.56\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.17\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePubescent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpreading\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlack\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;7\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGynoecious\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.22\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.22\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.36\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePubescent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpreading\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlack\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;8\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGynoecious\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.18\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.89\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.35\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePubescent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpreading\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlack\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGynoecious\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.33\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.87\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.26\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePubescent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpreading\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlack\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;10\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGynoecious\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.54\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.31\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.34\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePubescent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpreading\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlack\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;11\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGynoecious\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.16\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.41\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.36\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePubescent\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpreading\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlack\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMean\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSD\u0026plusmn;\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSignificance\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNA\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e35.27\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8.77\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.33\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.50\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e16.54\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2.09\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNA\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNA\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNA\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.6 Leaf biochemical parameters\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNutritional and biochemical analyses of clonally evolved mulberry genotypes revealed significant variations in key traits. Protein content ranged from 22.79 to 27.22%, with CS-6 showing the highest levels, surpassing the mother plant K-2. Carbohydrate content varied from 13.17 to 15.33%, also peaking in CS-6. Chlorophyll a and b levels ranged from 2.57 to 3.88 mg/g and 1.19 to 2.36 mg/g, respectively, with CS-6 leading in both categories. Total chlorophyll content varied from 3.93 to 6.17 mg/g, again favoring CS-6 (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab6\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 6\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e Leaf anatomical features of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"9\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c8\" colnum=\"8\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c9\" colnum=\"9\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenotypes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeaf thickness (\u0026micro;m)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUpper cuticle thickness (\u0026micro;m)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePalisade tissue thickness (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpongy tissue thickness (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStomatal frequency (no./mm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStomatal size\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(\u0026micro;m)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChloroplast No. /stomata\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTrichome density\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(no./mm\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eK \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96.52\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.53\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.33\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.53\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e574.56\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e229.66ef\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.55\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.56\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e112.83\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.28\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.56\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.55\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e673.45\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e217.16\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.26\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.83\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.01\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.31\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.27\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.16\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e741.83\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e193.56\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.45\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.33\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e96.16\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.03\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.33\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.33\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e576.66\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e238.52\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.55\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.52\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.18\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.73\u003csup\u003eef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.56\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.36\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e762.33\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e222.83\u003csup\u003egh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.48\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.65\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e76.83\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.95\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.54\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.56\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e756.52\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e237.23\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.31\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45.33\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e173.52\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.11\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.33\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.33\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e443.26\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e254.16\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.93\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.16\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;7\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e116.12\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.46\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.16\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41.16\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e578.31\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e237.33\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.19\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9.83\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;8\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.83\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.95\u003csup\u003eh\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.66\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.54\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e357.16\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e225.16\u003csup\u003efg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.48\u003csup\u003ei\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.24\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75.73\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.71\u003csup\u003eef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.33\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.66\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e656.83\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e232.33\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.73\u003csup\u003efg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.66\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;10\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e112.52\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.48\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.59\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35.16\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e731.17\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e243.55\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.16\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.83\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;11\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e82.16\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.55\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.24\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.56\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e759.36\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e234.33\u003csup\u003ecde\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.34\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46.33\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMean\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSD\u0026plusmn;\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSignificance\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e95.44\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e31.46\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5.00\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.38\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e35.55\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3.07\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e35.02\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8.12\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e634.18\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e132.55\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e230.41\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e15.29\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e10.77\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3.50\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e34.61\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e15.94\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab7\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 7\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e Leaf biochemical parameters of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenotypes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eProtein\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCarbohydrate\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChlorophyll a (mg/g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChlorophyll b (mg/g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal chlorophyll\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(mg/g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eK \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.52\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.25\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.24\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.24\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.48\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.36\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.21\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.18\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.19\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.37\u003csup\u003ecde\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.46\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.35\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.71\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.22\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.93\u003csup\u003ee\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;3\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.62\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.24\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.15\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.36\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.51\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;4\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.29\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.53\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.12\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.28\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.41\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;5\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.77\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.41\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.21\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.18\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.39\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;6\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.22\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.33\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.88\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.29\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.17\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;7\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.28\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.36\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.18\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.11\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.28\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;8\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.79\u003csup\u003eg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.17\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.57\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.56\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.07\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;9\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.50\u003csup\u003efg\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.28\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.17\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.35\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.53\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;10\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.67\u003csup\u003ede\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.45\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.25\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.26\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.52\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCS \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;11\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.63\u003csup\u003ef\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.28\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.66\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.50\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.16\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMean\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSD\u0026plusmn;\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSignificance\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e25.09\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.31\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e14.07\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.64\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3.19\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.34\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1.54\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.44\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e4.74\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e0.65\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e**\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.7 Chromosome studies\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eChromosome counting during mitotic cell division revealed a consistent number of 28 somatic chromosomes in root and shoot tip cells across all clonally selected genotypes (CS-1 to CS-11) and their mother plant K-2 (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003ea), confirming a diploid ploidy level (2n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2x\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;28). During prophase, clonal variants (CS-3, CS-7, CS-9, and CS-10) exhibited varying degrees of chromosome condensation compared to K-2. Normal chromosome segregation was observed at anaphase, with proper formation of daughter nuclei in all genotypes. No variations in chromosomal complements were detected, indicating that the regular mitotic processes in both shoot and root meristematic tissues reflect the genetic stability of these clonal variants.The chromosome analysis of this mulberry genotypes revealed a pair of small chromosomes measuring between 0.96 and 1.42 \u0026micro;m, alongside a pair of larger chromosomes ranging from 2.87 to 3.27 \u0026micro;m among the total of 28 chromosomes. The average length of these chromosomes varied from 1.98 to 2.52 \u0026micro;m, with the mother plant K-2 having a mean length of 2.21 \u0026micro;m. Notably, CS-10 exhibited increased chromosome lengths, while CS-2 displayed reduced lengths compared to the mother plant (Table\u0026nbsp;8).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 8. Ploidy level, chromosome length, and nuclear DNA content of clonally selected mulberry genotypes and their mother plant, K-2\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"482\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenotypes\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp; Chromosome\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003enumbers\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMean \u0026nbsp;of amount Nuclear DNA\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(pg/c)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 163px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChromosome length (\u0026micro;m)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRange\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMean\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eK - 2\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2n=2x=28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.82\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.14 - 3.11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS - 1\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2n=2x=28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.94\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.11 - 3.16\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.32\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS - 2\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2n=2x=28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.96 - 2.98\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS - 3\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2n=2x=28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.93\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.23 - 3.24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS - 4\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2n=2x=28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.04 - 2.87\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.98\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS - 5\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2n=2x=28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.95\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.18 - 3.21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.41\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS - 6\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2n=2x=28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.89\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.22 - 3.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.13\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS - 7\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2n=2x=28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.78\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.32 - 2.77\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.03\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS - 8\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2n=2x=28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.94\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.14 - 3.27\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.48\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS - 9\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2n=2x=28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.89\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.42 - 3.21\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS - 10\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2n=2x=28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.95\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.16 - 3.18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.52\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS - 11\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 106px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2n=2x=28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 127px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 86px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.98 - 3.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"bottom\" style=\"width: 76px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.31\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/br\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.8 Nuclear DNA content\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFlow cytometry analysis of the ploidy status and genome size of all clonally selected genotypes, including the mother plant K-2 (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003eb), confirmed again that all are diploid. The nDNA content for K-2 was determined to be 0.82 pg. Notably, several genotypes exhibited increased genome sizes: CS-1 (0.94 pg), CS-2 (0.83 pg), CS-3 (0.93 pg), CS-5 (0.95 pg), CS-6 (0.89 pg), CS-8 (0.94 pg), CS-9 (0.89 pg), CS-10 (0.95 pg), and CS-11 (0.88 pg). Conversely, CS-4 and CS-7 showed reduced genome sizes of 0.74 pg and 0.78 pg, respectively. The nuclear DNA content remained consistent across replicates of the same genotype, varying only from 0.01 to 0.08 pg (Table\u0026nbsp;8).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec20\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.9 Genetic diversity analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study utilized ISSR markers to assess genetic diversity among 11 clonally selected genotypes, along with the mother plant K-2. The results revealed distinct genetic variations across all genotypes, providing valuable insights into their genetic relationships and the overall diversity within the group (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab8\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e and Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e). Using 8 ISSR primers, a total of 52 amplified products (fragments) were obtained across the 12 genotypes. Of these, 41 (80.04%) were polymorphic, indicating genetic variation among the genotypes. These polymorphic bands are crucial for assessing genetic diversity. The remaining 11 products (19.96%) were monomorphic, as they were consistent across all genotypes and showed no genetic variation.The highest level of polymorphism (100%) was observed with the primers UBC-812 and UBC-844, while the lowest level (60%) was observed with UBC-813. The Polymorphism Information Content (PIC), which measures the informativeness of a marker, ranged from 0.11 for the UBC-840 primer to 0.38 for UBC-844, with an average of 0.25 per primer pair. The Resolving Power (RP), which indicates the discriminatory potential of the primers, was highest for UBC-824 (RP\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.50) and lowest for UBC-840 (RP\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;2.67), with an average RP of 3.83 across all primers.The Effective Multiplex Ratio (EMR), which describes the efficiency of primers in generating polymorphic bands, ranged from 4.44 for UBC-813 to 8.00 for UBC-844, with an average EMR of 6.61 for all 8 primers. The Marker Index (MI), which reflects the discriminatory power of the markers, ranged from 0.60 for UBC-813 to 3.07 for UBC-844, with an average MI value of 1.72.A UPGMA dendrogram was constructed to illustrate the genetic relationships among the clonally selected genotypes and their mother plant, K-2. The 12 genotypes were grouped into two clusters based on genetic similarity values ranging from 0.82 to 0.98 (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e). Cluster 1, comprising CS-7, CS-8, and K-2, shows lower genetic similarity around 0.84, indicating greater genetic diversity. Cluster 2, which includes the remaining genotypes starting with CS-5, displays higher genetic similarity, suggesting a closer genetic relationship among these genotypes (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 9.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenetic diversity parameters in 12 mulberry genotypes calculated for ISSR primers\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"585\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrimers\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTB\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePB\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMB\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePPB\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePMB\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMean\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 46px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePIC\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRP\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEMR\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMI\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-812\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 46px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.31\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.32\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-813\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e60.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.40\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 46px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.50\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.44\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.60\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-815\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e75.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e25.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 46px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.28\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.88\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-824\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e71.43\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.57\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 46px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.50\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.92\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-834\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e85.71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e9.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 46px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.33\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.84\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-840\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e62.50\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e37.50\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 46px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.67\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.25\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.69\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-843\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e85.71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 46px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.50\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.98\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e2.01\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUBC-844\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 46px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.33\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.00\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.07\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTotal\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e52.00\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e41.00\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e11.00\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e80.04\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e19.96\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 46px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMean\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6.50\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e5.13\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 50px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1.38\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e80.04\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 55px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e19.96\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 54px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e8.30\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 46px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e0.25\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.83\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6.61\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 42px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1.72\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"11\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 585px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eTB=Total band, PB=Polymorphic Band, MB=Monomorphic Band, PPB=Percentage Polymorphic Band, PMB=Percentage Monomorphic Band, PIC=Polymorphic Information Content,\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;RP= Resolving Power of primer, EMR=Effective Multiple Ratios, MI=Marker index\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTable 10. \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;Genetic similarity coefficients among 12 mulberry genotypes obtained using ISSR markers\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"659\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenotypes\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eK-2\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-1\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-2\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-3\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-4\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-5\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-6\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-7\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-8\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-9\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-10\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 41px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-11\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eK-2\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n 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style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 41px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-3\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.767\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.900\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.833\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n 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49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 41px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-7\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.844\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.844\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.813\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.700\u003c/p\u003e\n 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\u003cp\u003e0.889\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.861\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.806\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.800\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.824\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.944\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.833\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.844\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 41px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-9\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.806\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.861\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.861\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.867\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.882\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.972\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.944\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.813\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.833\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 41px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-10\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.842\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.842\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.889\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.867\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.853\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.895\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.865\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.844\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.889\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.889\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 41px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 83px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCS-11\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.825\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.875\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.889\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.867\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.912\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.897\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.865\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.844\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.889\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.861\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 49px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.895\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 41px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e"},{"header":"4 Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eClonally propagated crop species exhibit reduced adaptability to environmental changes compared to sexually propagated species, making clonal variation the primary source of adaptive potential for vegetatively propagated plants [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. While mutations serve as a key driver of clonal variation independent of sexual reproduction and environmental factors [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. Clonal selection remains the principal method for modifying cultivar characteristics without significantly altering varietal integrity; however, this progress is limited to the genetic diversity generated within a crop and its existing clones. Mutations accumulated since a cultivar's inception constitutes the majority of this variation, and once a mutation occurs, cuttings from the mutated clone replicate it almost exactly. Consequently, older cultivars are more likely to exhibit a greater number of clones with distinct mutations due to their slower rate of mutation accumulation, resulting in increased variance compared to newer cultivars [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e]. Plants that undergo bud mutations often display unique traits relative to their parent, including changes in shoot morphology, inflorescence, and fruit, along with modifications in external appearance, internal structure, physiology, and biochemistry [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e]. This source of novel variation has frequently led to the development of improved fruit and ornamental plant varieties [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe mulberry variety (\u003cem\u003eMorus indica\u003c/em\u003e) K-2, also known as M-5 (Mysore-5), is an open-pollinated hybrid developed from Mysore local variety seeds at the Sericulture Farm in Channapatna, Ramanagara District, Karnataka, India. Since its introduction in 1990, the K-2 variety has been cultivated under both irrigated and rain-fed conditions across the southern states of India, yielding approximately 30\u0026ndash;35 MT/ha/year [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e]. However, it is now largely being replaced by the rolling variety V-1 in traditional sericulture areas of Karnataka. The K-2 cultivar has served as a foundational material for developing improved varieties through hybridization (e.g., var. RFS-135, RFS-175, AR-1, S-13, Sahana, and Suvarna), clonal selection (e.g., var. TG-1), and research into both natural [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e] and induced mutants [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e]. In this study, we report on the morphometric and genetic variability among clonally-derived genotypes, highlighting their distinct characteristics compared to the mother plant, K-2.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe first step in characterizing and categorizing mulberry germplasm is phenotypic characterization [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e], with leaf morphological variation serving as a crucial indicator for detecting differences among plants in mulberry gardens. Key features such as leaf surface, margin, and apex are essential for distinguishing between different mulberry varieties [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e]. Natural mutants of mulberry exhibit alterations in leaf color, surface texture, shape, and size [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. In our study, clonally derived genotypes displayed dark green leaves (CS-5, CS-7, CS-10, and CS-11) and green leaves (CS-2, CS-3, CS-4, CS-6, and CS-8), in contrast to the light green leaves of the mother plant K-2. Chlorophyll content, an indicator of photosynthetic capacity, correlates with leaf color; dark green leaves (CS-5, CS-10, and CS-11) have higher chlorophyll levels [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e]. This characteristic is stable across different environmental conditions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e] and most improved mulberry varieties feature either dark green or green leaves [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e] .Additionally, genotypes CS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-4, CS-6, CS-7, CS-8, and CS-10 exhibit glossy leaves, contrasting with the non-glossy nature of K-2. A previous report identified a glossy leaf mutant in a K-2 (M-5) mulberry garden [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e], glossy leaves are often more palatable to silkworms (\u003cem\u003eBombyx mori\u003c/em\u003e), leading to improved feeding rates and better growth [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, CS-8 and CS-9 exhibit wrinkled leaves with prominent veins, unlike the smooth leaves of the mother plant, resembling the Venosa leaf mutant characterized by uneven growth and prominent veins [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e]. The variation in leaf base and shape among clonally derived genotypes (CS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-4, CS-5, CS-7, CS-8, CS-9, CS-10, and CS-11) reflects their adaptation to different ecological conditions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e], while the smooth surface of the leaves in genotypes CS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-4, CS-6, CS-8, and CS-10 enhances palatability for silkworms [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMorphologically, most genotypes, including K-2, displayed an erect growth habit and straight branching, which is beneficial for maximizing light capture and promoting healthy growth [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e]. Accessory buds were present across all genotypes, which is advantageous for potential branching and vegetative propagation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e]. Identifying the types, traits, and morphological structures of the buds is crucial for effective variety cultivation, selection, and breeding [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR40\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e40\u003c/span\u003e]. Plant vigor is a vital consideration in mulberry breeding, influencing not only the success of the breeding program but also the sustainability and profitability of mulberry cultivation. Breeding for vigor helps produce resilient, high-quality cultivars that can thrive in diverse environmental conditions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e41\u003c/span\u003e]. The plant growth vigor observed in genotypes CS-1, CS-4, CS-5, and CS-6 is significantly higher than that of their mother plant, characterized by greater shoot girth, leaf area, leaf specific weight, and leaf yield. In the clonally derived genotypes, petiole length showed a negative correlation with leaf yield, whereas branch length, internodal distance, leaf area, leaf specific weight, moisture content, moisture retention capacity, and leaf thickness all demonstrated significant positive correlations with leaf yield per plant [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e42\u003c/span\u003e]. Reproductive traits demonstrated notable diversity, particularly with the predominance of gynoecious forms, which can influence pollination and fruiting patterns. The higher number of inflorescences in CS-4 indicates its potential for increased fruit yield, a vital consideration for mulberry's economic value [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e43\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding the anatomical structure of mulberry leaves can provide insights into their physiological functions, adaptability to environments, and nutritional value.The quality of a leaf is influenced by its structural features and the presence of trichomes, which are associated with various physiological processes [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR44\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e44\u003c/span\u003e]. In mulberry genotypes that have undergone clonal evolution, anatomical changes in leaves are often observed to facilitate growth under diverse agro-climatic conditions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e]. Increased leaf thickness (CS-1, CS-6, CS-7, and CS-10), cuticle thickness (CS-6 and CS-7), and the proportion of palisade tissue were noted in clonally derived genotypes compared to their mother plant. The mesophyll tissue, comprising palisade and spongy parenchyma, serves as the primary photosynthetic zone, contributing significantly to leaf thickness [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e]. Conversely, reduced stomatal frequency (CS-6 and CS-8) and smaller stomatal size (CS-2) were observed in clonally evolved genotypes relative to K-2. Leaf moisture content and retention capacity are influenced by factors such as cuticle thickness, leaf thickness, mesophyll tissue, stomatal size, and frequency [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e46\u003c/span\u003e]. (Mulberry genotypes with smaller stomata and lower frequency demonstrate reduced water loss, thereby exhibiting enhanced tolerance under stress conditions [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR47\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e47\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR45\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e45\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, the decreased number of trichomes in CS-6 and CS-7 renders the leaves more palatable to silkworms [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR48\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e48\u003c/span\u003e]. Variations in anatomical characteristics provide robust evidence for adaptation to challenging environments [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR49\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e49\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe nutritional status of mulberry leaves, determined by moisture, protein, carbohydrates, and minerals, directly affects silkworm productivity [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e50\u003c/span\u003e]. Feeding trials indicate that nutrient levels in mulberry significantly influence silkworm growth and cocoon production [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR51\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e51\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR52\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e52\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR53\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e53\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR54\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e54\u003c/span\u003e]. Moisture content is crucial for enhancing nutritional quality, with higher levels facilitating better feeding and digestion in silkworm larvae [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR55\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e55\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR56\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e56\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR57\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e57\u003c/span\u003e]. In this study, genotypes CS-1, CS-3, CS-4, CS-6, CS-7, CS-9, and CS-11 showed over 75% moisture content, compared to 62.78% in K-2. Ideal moisture content for Chawki silkworms is 75\u0026ndash;80% [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e26\u003c/span\u003e]. The moisture retention capacity is also vital, as it affects leaf freshness and palatability [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e]. Higher chlorophyll content (6.17 mg/g) in CS-6 mulberry leaves enhances the leaf's photosynthetic efficiency, leading to greater production of sugars and other essential nutrients that are crucial for silkworms. Proteins and carbohydrates are fundamental macronutrients for the optimal growth, development, and silk production of silkworms [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR58\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e58\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR59\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e59\u003c/span\u003e]. CS-6 stands out due to its superior nutritional profile, with protein (27.22%) and carbohydrates (15.33%) content, making it an ideal choice for silkworm feeding. This high nutrient content promotes healthier silkworm growth, improved silk yield, and better silk quality.Due to its exceptional nutrient profile, CS-6 is of great importance in mulberry breeding programs, where it can be utilized to develop new varieties with enhanced nutritional value for silkworm rearing. The adoption of such high-nutrient genotypes can significantly boost the efficiency and profitability of sericulture operations by improving both silkworm productivity and silk quality, ensuring sustainable and high-yielding sericulture practices [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR60\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e60\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClonally propagated plants exhibit clonal diversity due to molecular processes such as transposon activity, gene mutation, somatic recombination, and DNA methylation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR61\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e61\u003c/span\u003e]. One method to assess genetic variability in these variants is through flow cytometry analysis of genome size. Clonal variants displayed a range of 2C DNA contents, with CS-4 and CS-7 showing lower values, while CS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-5, CS-6, CS-8, CS-9, CS-10, and CS-11 exhibited higher values compared to the mother plant K-2. Spontaneous mutations often lead to cultivars with altered DNA content [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR62\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e62\u003c/span\u003e]. The plasticity of nuclear genomes at the chromosomal level is evidenced by changes in chromosomal number, structure, and DNA composition, with repetitive DNA sequences playing a significant role in plant chromosomal evolution [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR63\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e63\u003c/span\u003e]. Variations in karyotype between genotypes are generally attributed to the acquisition, deletion, alteration, and rearrangement of nuclear DNA [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR64\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e64\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR65\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e65\u003c/span\u003e]. Banding pattern polymorphism in clonal genotypes is often due to restriction enzyme target site mutations, which can result in three-band differences, or DNA rearrangements such as deletions or insertions, leading to two-band differences [66, 67]. In this context, the clonal genotypes of the mulberry cultivar K-2 have evolved through natural bud mutations, resulting in novel phenotypes that are distinctly different from those of the mother plant K-2.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"5 Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe exploration of natural variability in mulberry through clonal selection offers a promising pathway for developing improved cultivars that meet the demands of sericulture.The findings from this study present a comprehensive understanding of the genetic diversity among the mulberry genotypes. This diversity can be strategically utilized in breeding programs to select for traits that enhance growth, productivity, and nutritional quality, ultimately improving the sustainability and profitability of mulberry cultivation in sericulture. Future research should focus on elucidating the genetic basis of these traits and exploring their interactions with environmental factors to fully realize the potential of these promising genotypes.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eWe express our sincere gratitude to the Department of Studies in Sericulture Science, University of Mysore, Mysuru, Karnataka, India, for providing access to essential research facilities. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru, for generously providing the flow cytometry facilities. Our sincere appreciation goes to the sericulture farmers who supported us during the survey period.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor Contributions:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eR. - Conceptualization, conducting field surveys, identification and collection of clonal variants, experimental execution, data collection, analysis, and manuscript preparation.\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eH.B. - Supervision, data curation, and manuscript draft revision.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThere is no funding received for conducting the research.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData availability:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eThe necessary information is available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResearch and publication ethics:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp; The authors confirm that the use of plants in the present study complies with international, national, and institutional guidelines.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant ethics:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp; The experiments conducted on the studied plant were in compliance with all relevant institutional, national, and international guidelines and legislation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSource of plants:\u003c/strong\u003e The plant cuttings were collected from the farmers\u0026apos; fields in Ramanagara district, Karnataka, India.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp; The authors declare no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCentral Silk Board. 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Chromosome Evolution in Connection with Repetitive Sequences and Epigenetics in Plants. Genes (Basel). 2017;8(10):290.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEichler E.E., Sankoff D. Structural dynamics of eukaryotic chromosome evolution. Science. 2003;301:793\u0026ndash;797.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDobigny G., Britton-Davidian J., Robinson T.J. Chromosomal polymorphism in mammals: An evolutionary perspective. Biol. Rev. 2017;92:1\u0026ndash;21.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTenover FC, Arbeit RD, Goering RV, Mickelsen PA, Murray BE, Persing DP, et al. (1995) Interpreting chromosomal DNA restriction patterns produced by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis: criteria for bacterial strain typing. J Clin Microbiol 33, 2233\u0026ndash;2239.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Clonal selection, Kanva-2, Mulberry, M-5, Natural mutation, Sericulture","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5583674/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5583674/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eMulberry (\u003cem\u003eMorus\u003c/em\u003e spp.) is a crucial plant in sericulture, serving as the sole food source for the silkworm, \u003cem\u003eBombyx mori\u003c/em\u003e. Clonal selection in mulberry is a strategic approach to leveraging natural variability for the development of improved cultivars. This method enables the identification and propagation of superior clones that exhibit desirable traits, such as enhanced leaf quality, growth vigor, and adaptability to varying environmental conditions. In the present study; we identified 11 clonal variants from the cultivar Kanva-2 (K-2) through field surveys. These clonally selected genotypes were designated as CS-1, CS-2, CS-3, CS-4, CS-5, CS-6, CS-7, CS-8, CS-9, CS-10, and CS-11, and underwent detailed characterization of their morphometric and molecular traits. The clonally-derived genotypes exhibited distinct features compared to their mother plant, K-2. Notably, genotypes CS-1, CS-4, CS-5, and CS-6 demonstrated improved leaf yield and quality traits, highlighting their potential advantages over the original cultivar. These genotypes can be utilized in breeding programs or to enrich germplasm resources.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Exploring natural variability in the mulberry (Morus indica) cultivar, Kanva-2 through clonal selection","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-12-19 10:26:45","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-5583674/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"32e72100-f393-4162-8853-341a8c0c38d6","owner":[],"postedDate":"December 19th, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-04-15T06:53:44+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-12-19 10:26:45","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-5583674","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-5583674","identity":"rs-5583674","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}