CSB–CSR&TI Pampore develops first mulberry variety for temperate commercial cultivation

Bengaluru, September 20: The Central Sericultural Research & Training Institute (CSB–CSR&TI), Pampore, has developed and released CPP-01 (PPR-1), the first mulberry variety specifically developed for temperate and cooler climatic conditions for commercial cultivation.

The variety, which demonstrates more than 90% rooting through stem cuttings and earlier sprouting after winter dormancy, is aimed at improving mulberry leaf availability and supporting spring silkworm rearing in cooler sericultural regions of North India.

The variety was formally dedicated to the nation by Union Minister for Textiles Giriraj Singh during a function held in Bengaluru on September 20 to commemorate the 77th Foundation Day of the Central Silk Board.

The event was attended by Minister of State for Labour & Employment and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje; Dr K. Sudhakar, Member of Parliament and Member, Central Silk Board; G. Lakshminarayana, Member of Parliament and Member, Central Silk Board; Padmini Singla, IAS, Joint Secretary (Silk), Ministry of Textiles; and P. Sivakumar, IFS, Member Secretary, Central Silk Board.

Variety developed for cooler climatic conditions

The development of CPP-01 (PPR-1) is the outcome of a sustained mulberry breeding, characterisation, selection and field-evaluation programme undertaken with the support of the Central Silk Board and the Ministry of Textiles.

The variety has been developed to address the specific requirements of temperate and cooler sericultural regions in North India. It exhibits good rooting ability, early sprouting after winter dormancy, favourable leaf nutritional quality and improved leaf yield.

The variety is also suitable for high-bush and tree-type mulberry cultivation systems prevalent in several sericulture regions of North India. Its characteristics are expected to support the availability of quality mulberry foliage and strengthen mulberry-based production systems in cooler climatic conditions.

More than 90% rooting through stem cuttings

According to the institute, the development of CPP-01 (PPR-1) addresses some of the limitations associated with Goshoerami, the existing lead mulberry variety used in temperate sericulture.

Goshoerami, an exotic variety introduced from Japan into the Kashmir Valley during the 1970s, is characterised by poor rooting ability through stem cuttings and relatively delayed sprouting after winter dormancy. These characteristics can make vegetative propagation more time-consuming and delay the availability of mulberry foliage during spring.

In comparison, CPP-01 (PPR-1) has demonstrated more than 90% rooting through stem cuttings, indicating improved efficiency in vegetative multiplication. The variety also sprouts earlier after winter dormancy than Goshoerami, potentially enabling earlier foliage establishment and timely initiation of spring silkworm rearing.

The combination of rooting ability, early post-winter sprouting and favourable leaf production makes the variety a climate-specific option for temperate sericultural regions.

Multi-stage research and scientific evaluation

The institute stated that developing a commercial mulberry variety involves a long-term scientific process comprising breeding, characterisation, selection, field evaluation and multi-location testing.

Dr Shamim Baksh, Scientist and Breeder, initiated the breeding work and laid the foundation for developing the variety. Dr Aftab Ahmad Shabnam and his team contributed to the initial characterisation, evaluation and selection through successive field assessments, leading to recognition at the regional level.

Subsequently, Dr Pawan Saini and his team undertook national-level evaluation under the All India Coordinated Experimental Trials for Mulberry (AICEM-IV), contributing to the wider scientific assessment of the variety.

The institute acknowledged the contributions of the researchers and teams involved in the development and evaluation of CPP-01 (PPR-1).

The new variety is expected to facilitate the production of planting material, improve the availability of mulberry foliage and support better synchronisation between mulberry leaf production and spring silkworm rearing in temperate regions.