In vitro response of two Sicilian genotypes of Morus (L.) through axillary bud culture.

A protocol for the in vitro establishment of two Sicilian genotypes of mulberry has been set up. Multiple shoots were initiated and plantlets were produced from buds collected from mature trees of Morus alba L. and Morus nigra L., grown in the field. The influence of two explanting times (September and December) of buds on the in vitro response has been observed. The percentage of sprouting after four weeks of culture was greatly higher with material explanted from the field in September compared with the one collected in December. Morus nigra L. produced more vigorous shoots than Morus alba L.. After the second subculture the number of shoots produced decreased, in both genotypes. No differences were observed for both genotypes regarding the multiplication rate