SRINAGAR: In a major development for Jammu and Kashmir’s sericulture sector, the Central Sericultural Research and Training Institute (CSR&TI), Pampore, has developed and secured the release of India’s first mulberry variety specifically designed for commercial cultivation in temperate and cooler climatic conditions.
The variety, CPP-01 (PPR-1), was formally dedicated to the nation by Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh during the 77th Foundation Day celebrations of the Central Silk Board (CSB) held in Bengaluru on September 20.
Developed by CSB-CSR&TI Pampore, the variety has been bred to meet the specific requirements of temperate sericulture regions, particularly Jammu and Kashmir and other cooler parts of North India. Scientists say it combines high rooting ability, early sprouting after winter dormancy, improved leaf yield and favourable nutritional characteristics for silkworm rearing.
The release is being seen as a significant milestone for Kashmir’s sericulture industry, where mulberry cultivation forms the foundation of silk production.
According to researchers, the new variety addresses key limitations of Goshoerami, the dominant mulberry variety introduced from Japan into the Kashmir Valley during the 1970s. Goshoerami is known for poor rooting through stem cuttings and relatively delayed sprouting after winter dormancy, making propagation and spring foliage production more challenging.
In contrast, CPP-01 (PPR-1) has demonstrated more than 90 per cent rooting through stem cuttings, enabling easier and faster multiplication of planting material. It also sprouts earlier after winter, allowing timely availability of mulberry leaves for spring silkworm rearing.
Scientists said the variety is suitable for high-bush and tree-type mulberry cultivation systems commonly practised in northern sericulture regions and is expected to strengthen mulberry-based silk production in temperate areas.
The variety is the outcome of a long-term breeding, characterisation, selection and field-evaluation programme undertaken by CSR&TI Pampore with support from the Central Silk Board under the Ministry of Textiles.
