Physiological optimality, allocation trade-offs and antioxidant protection linked to better leaf yield performance in drought exposed mulberry

Abstract

Minimal plasticity in photosynthetic gas exchange traits and better quantitative growth characteristics were attributed to leaf yield stability under drought. Lower photoinhibition, stabilized photochemistry, effective osmoregulation and enhanced activity of foliar antioxidants extensively contributed to drought tolerance and higher leaf yield in mulberry.

Improving the Concentrations of the Active Components in the Herbal Tea Ingredient, Uraria crinita: The Effect of Post-harvest Oven-drying Processing

“…As a result, water depletion during the drying process will cause a series of dehydration-related physiological reactions that maintain the normal physiological function29303132, particularly the increase in the levels of some secondary metabolites that are involved in defense mechanisms33. The increase in the levels of betaine and free amino acids in plants as a result of drought stress can regulate the osmotic balance to maintain the ability to resist drought3031; the biosyntheses of betaine, flavonoids and triterpenoids improve the plants’ resistance to the increased oxidative stress caused by drought stress, thus protecting the plant cells and maintaining normal function293234. Salicylic acid can regulate the expression of anti-oxidase to improve the plants’ resistance by changing active oxygen metabolism and associated signal transduction pathways35.…”

Characteristics and quality of leaves of different clones of mulberry in the Mu Us Desert

“…The nutritional value of mulberry leaves is about 40% to 50% higher than that of tropical leguminous forages, it is about 80% to 100% higher than that of grasses [5]. Mulberry leaves are rich in protein, vitamins, amino acids and trace elements, as well as a variety of nutrients and bioactive components such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, alkaloids and polyphenols [6][7][8], make the leaves of mulberry trees have higher economic value [9], many natural active substances in mulberry leaves, as feed, it has a certain immune health care effect on livestock and poultry, and can effectively prevent the occurrence of avian influenza, improving the disease resistance of livestock and poultry is conducive to maintaining healthy and rapid growth of livestock and poultry [10][11][12][13][14], it is precisely because of this that in recent years, industries such as "mulberry as feed" and "cultivating mulberry for raising livestock" have received extensive attention and application, at the same time, due to the excellent flavor index in mulberry leaves, the feed made from mulberry leaves can effectively improve the flavor quality of livestock and poultry products.…”