Variation studies in leaf fodder qualities in different clones of Morus alba

Abstract

Variation among mineral nutrient and proximate composition were studied among fifteen selected clones of Morus alba. These fifteen clones were selected out of the originally twenty seven clones based on their growth performance over the years in a clonal evaluation trial. The significant differences were found among clones with respect to mineral nutrients like nitrogen (%), phosphorus (%), potassium (%) and proximate composition like dry matter (%), crude protein (%) crude fibre (%), ether extract (%), total ash (%) and nitrogen free extract (%) Tr10, S36, S799 and Mandaley showed higher values. Hence, these clones can be further used for site interaction trials etc and therefore recommending the end users in a particular area.