Mulberry (Morus spp.) is an important crop in the sericulture industry as the leaves constitute the primary feed for the silkworm. The availability of diverse genetic sources of resistance to root- knot nematode (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.) are very scanty and therefore, a set of 415 varied exotic and indigenous germplasm accessions were screened under glasshouse conditions. Twenty one accessions were identified as highly resistant and 48 were resistant, the highest numbers of highly resistant/resistant accessions were found in Morus alba. Further, thirty accessions based on rooting ability were evaluated for field resistance at four different locations with infested soil. Finally, eight germplasm accessions; BR-8, Karanjtoli-1, Hosur-C8, Nagalur Estate, Tippu, Calabresa, Thai Pecah and SRDC-3 were identified as potential genetic sources in RKN resistance breeding programs or as resistant rootstock for the establishment of mulberry gardens. Sixteen SSR markers analyzed among the 77 resistant and susceptible accessions, generated 55 alleles, ranging from 2 to 5 with an average of 3.43 alleles per locus. Principle coordinate analysis grouped the accessions on the basis of RKN susceptible and resistant to a greater extent. The RKN susceptible accessions exhibited higher variability as compared to resistant accessions and they were more dispersed. Analysis of molecular variance showed that maximum molecular variance (78%) within the population and 22% between populations. Results of this study indicate that SSR markers are reliable for assessing genetic variability among the RKN resistant and susceptible mulberry accessions.

Black root rot (BRR) caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae is an alarming disease of mulberry that causes tremendous economic losses to sericulture farmers in India and China. Successful control of this disease can be attained by screening germplasm and identifying resistant sources. Seventy four diseased root samples were collected from farmer’s fields belonging to four major mulberry growing states of South India. Based on morpho-cultural and scanning electron microscopy studies, 57 fungal isolates were characterized and identified as L. theobromae. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated internal transcribed spacer and β-tubulin sequences revealed variation of the representative 20 isolates of L. theobromae. Following the root dip method of inoculation, pathogenicity studies on susceptible mulberry genotypes (Victory-1 and Thailand male) recognized the virulent isolate MRR-142. Accordingly, MRR-142 isolate was used to evaluate resistance on a set of 45 diverse mulberry accessions. In the repeated experiments, the mulberry accession ME-0168 which is an Indonesian origin belonging to Morus latifolia was found to be highly resistant consistently against BRR. Eight accessions (G2, ME-0006, ME-0011, ME-0093, MI-0006, MI-0291, MI-0489, and MI-0501) were found to be resistant. These promising resistant resources may be exploited in mulberry breeding for developing BRR resistant varieties and to develop mapping populations which successively helps in the identification of molecular markers associated with BRR.

Aims Root rot caused by a group of fungi is a serious disease in mulberry. This study aims to identify and characterize Rhizopus oryzae and other fungal species associated with root rot of mulberry in India. Methods and Results Rotted root samples were collected from the mulberry gardens from four states of Southern India. The majority of the isolates identified were R. oryzae, and others were saprophytic fungi, less abundant to occasional. Two methods of inoculations were tested to confirm the pathogenicity of the selected isolates and R. oryzae was found to be pathogenic on susceptible mulberry genotypes RC2 and SRDC‐1. Multi gene phylogenetic analyses using the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), actin (ACT) and translation elongation factor 1‐α (TEF), identified the isolates as R. oryzae. Additionally, Ovatospora brasiliensis, Amesia nigricolor, Gongronella butleri, Myrmecridium schulzeri, Scedosporium boydii, Graphium euwallacea, Clonostachys rosea andTalaromyces spp. were also identified. Conclusion This study revealed the existence of eleven species of fungi including the first report of R. oryzae and the occurrence of weak pathogens or saprophytes that are associated with the root rot of mulberry in India. Significance and Impact of the Study This is the first report of R. oryzae causing Rhizopus rot of mulberry in India. Moreover, the occurrence of saprophytes associated with root rot of mulberry was identified. Further studies should focus more on the ability of these species to generate secondary metabolites and extracellular lytic enzymes as they are beneficial for the management of root rot disease.

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