Performance of Eight Elite Mulberry Genotypes for Different Growth and Leaf Yield Parameters in Different Seasons and Their Stability

An investigation was undertaken to study the mean performance of elite mulberry genotypes across different seasons at Department of Sericulture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru during 2023-24. Stability parameters were estimated and considered for testing the stability of the mulberry genotypes. A stable and promising genotype was identified based on a higher mean, unitary regression (bi) values and minimal or near-zero deviation from regression (S²di). However, the majority of genotypes are less environmental sensitive and adapted to all seasons, thus it is possible to predict performance across all seasons. For vegetative growth parameters across winter, summer and rainy seasons, MI-0014 recorded superiority in almost all the traits studied, including leaf yield per plant, number of branches per plant and shorter internodal distance across three seasons. Genotypes MI-0014 and ME-0067 are considered stable across three seasons based on the G × E interaction and their consistent performance in leaf yield and vegetative trait.