CLONAL VARIATION IN GROWTH, FLOWERING AND SEED PRODUCTION OF <em>DALBERGIA</em> <em>SISSOO</em> IN A CLONAL SEED ORCHARD

Abstract

Thirty-eight clones of Dalbergia sissoo (Leguminoceae) were, over a period of
four years, evaluated for their flowering and growth behaviour at the Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, India. Data on plant height, collar diameter, flowering and seedpod production were collected annually. All the plant characters exhibited highly significant variations (p<0.01) among clones, years of observation and their interaction effects. From the average growth of clones in four years of measurement, clone CO 18 (Khanpur, Shahmansoorpur, Uttar Pradesh) attained the maximum height, followed by clone C045 (Trilokpur, Gonda, U.P.). The average collar diameter in all the four years was largest for clone C045, followed by clone C097 (Lakhawali, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan). Initially relatively slow growth was observed in clones C129 (Ghaire, Domukha, Jhapa, Nepal) and C124 (Chakarghati, Mahandra Nagar, Nepal) in the first two years. This increased rapidly in subsequent years. Clones from Suratgarh,
Hanumangarh, Rajasthan (C099 and C100) exhibited higher seed production;
however, no seed setting was observed in clones C023 and C043 (from Bareilly and Gonda, U.P., respectively) till the last observation. Clones from more northern latitudes had higher seedpod production. Clear bole of mother tree, longitude and rainfall of the area from where clones were collected had a significant effect on the growth of clones.