Transgenics for Targeted Trait Manipulation: The Current Status of Genetically Engineered Mulberry Crop

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is commercially important for its foliage, as the sole feed for silkworm (Bombyx mori). The foliage quality and quantity govern the success in sericulture. Crop improvement in this tree crop through conventional and breeding approaches is slow due to the complex nature of economic traits, long juvenile period and limited understanding of existing germplasm resources. Despite the limitations in the availability of robust in vitro regeneration and transformation protocols, transgenic approach has been attempted for targeted manipulation of desired traits. To improve stress-adaptive traits and reduce post-harvest water losses from leaves, transgenic approaches have been attempted in mulberry too. This chapter highlights the need for transgenics in mulberry, and the current status of targeted trait improvement through transgenic approach is summarized.