In vitro response of promising mulberry (Morus sp.) genotypes for tolerance to salt and osmotic stresses

An in vitro technique for screening mulberry genotypes tolerant to salt and osmotic stress has been standardized.Five mulberry genotypes, namely G2, G3, G4 along with control varieties i.e., S34 and S13, were tested on salt and osmotic stress media. Out of 14 media combinations tested, the optimum responses were observed on Kn 1 mg/l, in the case of G3 genotype, on Kn 2 mg/l with G2 genotype, on BAP 1 mg/l with G4 genotype and on BAP 2 mg/l with S34 and S13 genotypes.With regard to their performance on salt-stress media fortified with NaCl (0.1--2.0%), Na2CO3 + NaHCO3 (pH 8.5--10.0), the data revealed that the genotype G4 ranked the highest in terms of sprouting percentage and shoot length, in comparison to the control variety (S34) at each concentration of NaCl up to 1.0% and pH up to 9.5. However, in the case of osmotic stress condition (media supplemented with 1.0--10.0% PEG),the control variety i.e. S13 itself exhibited the highest sprouting percentage and shoot growth compared to the other test genotypes. The genotype G4 has been screened as a salt tolerant genotype which can be tested under respective in vivo condition.