Vol. 6, Issue 9 (2017)

Author(s):
M Younus Wani, MR Mir, MF Baqual, NA Ganie, ZA Bhat and Qayoom A Ganie

Abstract:
The silkworm, being a phytophagous insect feeds exclusively on mulberry leaf during its larval stages which account for nearly half of its total life span. Mulberry leaf is the sole food plant of silkworm (Bombyx mori L). Mulberry is a perennial, woody deciduous plant. Besides being food to silkworm, the roles of mulberry trees in prevention and control of desertification, water and soil conservation, management of saline land besides as forage for livestock, fruit for preparation of jam and jelly, leaf for preparation of green tea. Mulberry has very strong root system. Its roots form a greatly crossed and densely network in soil. Mulberry plantation is highly capable of suppressing sand storm and conserving water and soil. Mulberry root system can effectively improve the shear strength of soil and increase anti erosion capacity of soil. The transpiration coefficient of some drought resistant mulberry varieties is low as 274, being lower than that of Populus diversifolia (300), Elaeagnus angustifolia (383), seabuckthorn (483) and poplar (513). The wilting coefficient of some drought resistant mulberry varieties is 9, being lower than that of wild apricot (13), white elm (13) and Poplar (13), demonstrating that mulberry adapts to dry climate. Mulberry plants contains moranolin (DNJ), Moran (glycopeptides), hydrophobic flavonoids (flavones and flavonone) and 2-arylbenzofuran which play main role in hypoglycemic action. Mulberry leaf has many kinds of mineral substances especially high content of K and Ca. In 100 gram dry mulberry leaf, there are 3101 mg K and 2699 mg Ca, which is higher than the Calcium content in red shrimp (2.2%) or fish powder. Mulberry plant is one of the traditional herbs which are used in medicine from centuries before. Due to its pharmacological properties mulberry is used as medicine currently in many countries. Mulberry is proved in protecting liver, improving eyesight, facilitating discharge of urine, lowering of blood pressure, anti-diabetic and controlling weight in humans as well as animal models.it is the need of the hours to explain its medicinal value by Indians. Therefore, the scope of sericultural industry increases besides a very important role in pharmaceutical industry. The present review paper introduces the economical values as well as the applications of mulberry trees.