STUDIES ON SEXUAL VARIATION IN MULBERRY (MORUS SPP)

Sex expression in mulberry (Morus spp.) was recorded in 301 varieties, collected from diverse geographical origins, evolved varieties and po lyploids maintained at Central Sericultural Research and Training Inst itute, Berhampore, West Bengal, India (24 degrees 6'N and 88 degrees 1 5'E) during 1991-93. Out of total varieties, 49 (16%) male, 161 (53%) female, 52 (17%) monoecious and 39 (13%) were bisexual. Parameters on flowering time, anthesis, floral characters, sex expression and sex re versal were recorded. The indigenous, evolved and polyploids showed ea rly flowering (Jan-Feb) and exotic showed late flowering (Jan-April). The pollen grain viability, seed setting % and other floral behaviour were recorded.