Characteristic of species Morus alba L. and Morus nigra L. by some basic vegetative traits

Abstract

Abstract. Establishing the leaf productivity of the species Morus alba L. and Morus nigra L. and the influence of the mulberry species on some basic vegetative traits was the aim of this paper. The study was conducted during 2018-2020 at the Training Experimental Station of the Sericulture section of the Faculty of Agriculture at Trakia University – Stara Zagora. Object of the study were representatives of the genus Morus – M. alba L. (variety "Vratsa 1") and M. nigra L. The studied mulberry trees were from a low-stemmed plantation of an intensive type. The analysis of variances shows that the type of mulberry has a highly significant influence (p>0.001) in all analyzed cases characterizing leaf productivity. The established differences between the species in terms of the studied vegetative traits are in favor of M. alba. However, for M. nigra the average values of some morphological indicators are within the limits of those generally established in practice. This gives reason to consider that the data obtained in the present study are a useful addition to the general characterization of the species and are relevant for the purposes of selection and production of mulberry cultivars and hybrids.