Abstract
Effects of calcium on mulberry growth and freezing tolerance were examined by water culture. Calcium was supplied by folar spray with the levels of 0, 5, and 40 ppm. Muberry stems developed by 130 cm at Ca2+ 40ppm, 82 cm at Ca2+ 5 ppm and 23 cm at Ca2+ 0 ppm. Muberry roots also developed vigorously at Ca2+ 40 ppm, but did poorly at Ca2+ 5 ppm and changed to brown in color, and died becoming necrosis at Ca2+ 0 ppm. Content of calcium in leaves and barks were increased at Ca2+ 40 ppm compared with at Ca2+ 5 ppm. Total sugar, RNA, proline and phospholipid at Ca2+ 40 ppm were also more increased than those at Ca2+ 5 ppm. Mulberry stems grown at Ca2+ 40 ppm showed a sufficient tolerance at -10 for 24 hours while stems grown at Ca2+ 5 ppm did a weak tolerance at the same conditions.