Forage trees: protein source from Morus
species for livestock feeding in Galicia,
Spain
Mosquera-Losada MR, Fernández-Lorenzo JL, Rigueiro-Rodríguez
A, Ferreiro-Domínguez N,
28 April 2017
European Union’s Seventh Framework
Program for research, technological
development and demonstration under
grant agreement no 613520
Background
Mulberry (Morus sp) are used as a
livestock fodder in many countries
around the world (i.e. India and Japan)
The leaves of the mulberry are known by
its high protein content with good amino
acid profile, high digestibility, high
mineral content, low fibre content and
very good palatability
Lack of knowledge in
the European
temperate countries
Experiments in
Galicia (NW Spain)
Objective
To determine the adaptation, productivity and fodder quality of four clones
of mulberry (Morus alba Criolla; Morus alba Tigrenda, Morus alba Illaverde
and Morus nigra) in the temperate region of northwest Spain.
Materials and Methods
Plant material
Clones multiplied by 2 systems
In vitro propagation (also for germplasm conservation)
All four clones
Rooted Cuttings
Clones Criolla & Illa Verde
Materials and Methods
In vitro protocols
Forced shoots from branch segments collected in
January as a source of explants
Protocols for in vitro introduction, multiplication,
rooting and acclimatation
Multiplication medium: MS salts + fructose + 0.2 mg/L
benzyl-adenine
Rooting medium: MS salts + fructose (+ 1.0 mg/L IBA)
Stocks in vitro for germplasm conservation
Materials and Methods
Rooted cuttings (Criolla & Illaverde)
Use of IBA in talcum (0, 4000, 8000 pmm)
Woody and softwood cuttings
Substrate peat-moss:perlite* (1:1, 1:2, 1:3; v:v)
significant differences
Best results in bold
*no
Materials and Methods
Growing of plants in the greenhouse
Acclimatation of micropropagated plants
Development of rooted cuttings
Materials and Methods
Experimental design
LOCALISATION (Galicia, NW Spain)
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
A randomized block design (three blocks x clone)
comprising four clones of mulberry (CR: Morus alba
criolla; TI: Morus alba tigrenda, IL: Morus alba illaverde
and MN: Morus nigra) was set up in three areas of Galicia
(NW Spain) with different climatic conditions in autumn
2015
In each field plot (250 cm x 250 cm), 25 plants were
planted at a planting distance of 50 x 50 cm
Materials and Methods
Field sampling and laboratory analysis
FIELD SAMPLING
LABORATORY ANALYSIS
The tree height, crown and base diameter
were measured using a metric tape and a calibre
on each individual plant
Dry matter yields were calculated after oven drying plant shoot
samples at 45°C until constant weight
Estimation of the plant survival
To determine dry matter yield and protein
content of leaves and stems, in the nine central
plants of each experimental unit, counting of all
shoots, 1 representative shoot from each plant
was taken
The crude protein content was determined by using the Kjeldahl
method and estimated by multiplying Kjeldahl-nitrogen by a conversion
factor of 6.25
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
ANOVA
LSD
Results
Arzua M.alba criolla
M.alba illaverde
M.nigra
M.alba tigrenda
CR
IL
MN
TI
71.8 ±
35.4 ±
5.7 ±
72.0 ±
7.25
4.19
1.1
5.83
a
b
c
a
6.5
4.7
0.5
7.2
±
±
±
±
0.5
0.6
0.2
0.6
a
b
b
a
3.5
1.7
1.4
3.8
±
±
±
±
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.3
a
b
b
a
Caniza M.alba criolla
M.alba illaverde
M.nigra
M.alba tigrenda
CR
IL
MN
TI
88.5 ±
61.4 ±
26.9 ±
98.1 ±
3.66
2.7
1.66
7.21
a
b
c
a
9.3
5.9
6.8
11.8
±
±
±
±
0.9
0.6
0.6
1.0
b
c
b
a
3.9
1.6
3.7
5.6
±
±
±
±
0.3
0.3
0.1
0.4
b
c
b
a
Lugo M.alba criolla
M.alba illaverde
M.nigra
M.alba tigrenda
CR
IL
MN
TI
33.4 ±
36.4 ±
19.1 ±
29.9 ±
3.68
3.75
1.67
2.59
a
a
b
a
2.7
3.0
5.3
3.2
±
±
±
±
0.4
0.6
0.3
0.3
a
b
b
a
1.2
1.1
0.6
0.7
±
±
±
±
0.2
0.3
0.1
0.1
a
a
a
a
Means by clone
M.alba criolla
M.alba illaverde
M.nigra
M.alba tigrenda
Means by site
Arzua
Caniza
Lugo
CR
IL
MN
TI
64.6 ±
44.3 ±
16.7 ±
59.8 ±
3.94
2.47
1.32
4.31
a
b
c
a
6.2
4.5
4.1
6.4
±
±
±
±
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.5
b
c
c
a
46.4 ± 3.67
65.6 ± 3.36
29.7 ± 1.63
b
a
c
4.8 ± 0.4 b
8.0 ± 0.4 a
3.6 ± 0.2 c
2.9
1.4
1.8
2.9
±
±
±
±
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.3
120
120
a
b
b
a
2.6 ± 0.2 b
3.4 ± 0.2 a
0.9 ± 0.1 c
120
b) Cañiza
a) Arzua
a
a
80
a
c) Lugo
a
100
100
100
80
80
b
60
60
60
b
40
40
20
40
c
20
c
CR
IL
MN
a
a
b
0
CR
TI
IL
MN
TI
CR
120
Means values (three sites)
100
80
a
20
0
0
Total Height Growth (cm)
Total Height
Growth (cm)
Shoot
Diameter
Growth
(mm)
Total Height Growth (cm)
Base
Diameter
Growth
(mm)
a
a
60
b
40
20
c
0
CR
IL
MN
TI
IL
MN
TI
Results: Yield (Mg
5.0
5.0
Yield (Mg ha-1)
4.5
a) Arzua
4.5
4.0
4.0
3.5
3.5
3.0
3.0
2.5
2.5
2.0
0.5
a
ab
1.5
1.0
b
b b
a
abab
a
b) Cañiza
4.5
b
a
c
b
b
2.0
MN
b
c
c
a
1.5
d
b
1.0
c
0.5
a
b
b bc
a
CR
IL
b b
b c
b
0.0
CR
TI
2.5
2.0
0.0
IL
Leaves
Stems
Whole Plant
3.0
a
0.5
CR
c) Lugo
3.5
1.0
a
5.0
4.0
1.5
0.0
IL
MN
TI
MN
TI
3.0
3.0
Mean values (three sites)
Yield (Mg ha-1)
-1
ha )
2.5
2.5
2.0
2.0
a
a
a
Mean values
(by site)
a
1.5
1.5
b
1.0
b
b
a
a
bc
0.5
b
Different letters indicate differences among
varieties for each plant fraction
a
b
a
a
a
c
1.0
b
b
b
0.5
b
0.0
0.0
CR
IL
MN
TI
Arzua
Caniza
Lugo
Results: Protein Content (%)
25
25
a) Arzua
Leaves
Stems
Whole Plant
c) Lugo
20
20
15
15
15
10
10
10
5
5
5
20
Protein (%)
25
b) Cañiza
b
0
0
CR
IL
MN
0
CR
TI
IL
TI
CR
IL
MN
TI
25
20
Mean values (by site)
Mean values (three sites)
20
a
15
Protein (%)
MN
a
15
b
b
b
b
10
10
5
5
0
0
CR
IL
MN
TI
Arzua
Caniza
Lugo
Different letters indicate differences among
varieties for each plant fraction
Conclusions
Cuban-source mulberries (M.alba Tigrenda and Criolla) presented the highest growth (total height, shoot
and base diameter) during the first year of establishment when compared to Galician-source mulberries
(M.alba Illaverde and M. nigra).
Morus alba clones (both Cuban and Galician-source) presented significantly higher yields when compared to
M. nigra.
The different Morus clones showed no significantly different protein contents (ranging from 9.8 to 21.6 % in
leaves) for the first year of establishment. Differences were found only among sites.
Therefore, this initial study showed promising results for the use of Cuban-source mulberries as animal
fodder in temperate European regions. However, increasing the duration of the field trial are needed to
provide further evidences of the best cultivar(s) for temperate climatic conditions.
European Union’s Seventh Framework Program for research, technological
development and demonstration under grant agreement no 613520
www.agforward.eu