Pomological and quality traits of mulberry (Morus spp.) germplasm from Gorno Badakhshan in the Western Pamir

The local fruit biodiversity can represent a good opportunity to maintain the agriculture and to develop economies in "marginal" territory such as those in the mountain rural areas. The genetic diversity of the Morus spp. is little known in the Western Pamir mountains, so that the objective of the present study was to improve the knowledge of the polymorphism of the species in the different poorly explored Tajik valleys by investigating the main quantitative and qualitative traits. Materials and methods - Six selected sites of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) region were investigated through field measurement on morphological traits of mulberry trees (both from wild and cultivated habitats). The qualitative analysis on fresh and dried fruits were carried out on four cultivars of the white mulberry (Morus alba L.) and one cultivar of the black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) collected in the Pamir Biological Institute, the highest botanical garden of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Results and discussion - Our study revealed high variability for all the measured parameters confirmed by a wide polymorphism. The highest rate of variability and the most promising genotypes in terms of fruit morphological traits were observed in the Vanch and the Rushan valleys. Due to the highest ascorbic acid content for the black cv. Shatut and the white cv. Marvori and a better taste, confirmed by the highest reducing and total sugar contents during the early and the full ripening (cv. Bedonia), mulberry fruits can be suggested for the fresh consumption. The cv. Shatut is the only one suggested for sun-drying, following specific local recipes for traditional consumption. Conclusion - The high morphogenetic variability of the mulberry trees in a marginal mountain area as the Gorno Badakhshan in the Western Pamir offers opportunities to make value of fruits with high nutritional and sensory profile and to develop the agricultural resources of any vulnerable territory.