Studies on Morpho-Criteria and Karyotype Analysis in Two Mulberry Cultivars (morus Spp.)

Morpho-criteria and karyotype analysis of two mulberry verities, namely, Kollegal and Morus cathyana were selected. Morpho-criteria, stomatal frequency, somatic chromosome number, ploidy level, karyotype analysis, arm ratio and total haploid chromatin length were studied. Kollegal is diploid with 2n=28 and Morus cathyana is tetraploid with 2n=56. Somatic chromosome length ranges from 1.26 m to 3.22 m where as arm ratio ranges from 0.62 to 0.97 m. Stomatal frequency is lesser in diploid when compared to tetraploid variety. In both the varieties 3 to 4 types of chromosomes have been observed. Chromosomes are small sized with a narrow range of variation in length.