Polyploidy breeding in mulberry: a review

Abstract

Mulberry foliage constitutes the sole food for the silkworm, Bombyx mori L., and has supported the silk industry since time immemorial. This review examines colchicine-induced polyploidization as a route to superior triploid mulberry varieties with improved leaf yield and nutritive quality, and outlines strategies breeders can use to exploit the technique.