Date Received: 07-02-2025 / Date Published: 21-02-2025
The research was conducted to evaluate the morphological characteristics, growth, yield and quality of mulberry leaves of four new hybrid mulberry combinations in 2023 spring and autumn season. The field experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and included four newly hybrid mulberry combinations (THL1, THL2, THL3, THL4) and a control variety (GQ12) with three replications. The monitored indicators for mulberry included leaf morphology, leaf size, pest and disease status, and leaf yield. The quality of mulberry leaves was evaluated by rearing silkworms (Bombyx mori L.) in the laboratory. The laboratory experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), in which the leaves of each mulberry variety were equivalent to a silkworm rearing treatment. The silkworm evaluation parameters included the cocoon formation rate, single cocoon weight, cocoon shell weight, and cocoon yield per 300 silkworms. The results showed that THL1 had early germination time, and the level of damage caused by stem borers and powdery mildew disease of THL1 was equivalent to the control variety GQ12, but the leaf yield was 27.9% higher than that of the control variety in the autumn season. Silkworms fed mulberry leaves of THL1 had higher cocoon shell weight and cocoon yield from 3.3-13.8 % than those feeding mulberry leaves of GQ12. The results provide a basis for continuing to evaluate and develop THL1 to diversify sources of quality mulberry varieties to serve the sustainable and effective development of the mulberry industry.