A Status Review on the Importance of Mulberry (Morus spp.) and Prospects towards Its Cultivation in a Controlled Environment

One of the major challenges that global society is facing nowadays is finding sustainable and safe methods for crop growth and development. Besides the traditional crops cultivated worldwide (tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, strawberries, etc.), there is a general trend in the exploitation of polyvalent plants. Mulberry (Morus spp.) faced no exception; with its undeniable proprieties, it became suitable not only to be used in the sericulture industry, but in the food chain, the pharma industry, and environmental safety. Spare parts of the plants can be used in a very wide range, starting from introducing mulberry leaves in supplements to increase the protein content of a meal to extracting biologically active compounds from fruits and roots to be used in phytotherapy. However, the outstanding proprieties of this plant come with some requirements related to space availability and watering; requirements that can be easily surpassed by using vertical farming methods, such as hydroponic, aeroponic, or aquaponic systems. The present paper aims to evaluate vertical farming techniques' applicability to mulberry propagation in a controlled environment and their prospects for a more sustainable and safer agricultural practice.

Automated summary

One of the major challenges for global society today is finding sustainable and safe methods for crop growth and development, with a focus on exploiting polyvalent plants. Mulberry, with its undeniable properties, is not only suitable for use in the sericulture industry but also in the food chain, pharma industry, and environmental safety. Vertical farming methods such as hydroponic, aeroponic, or aquaponic systems can easily overcome the space availability and watering requirements associated with this plant. This paper aims to evaluate the applicability of vertical farming techniques for mulberry propagation in a controlled environment and their potential for a more sustainable and safer agricultural practice.