VARIATION IN FOLIAR BIOCHEMICAL AND NUTRIENT CONTENTS AMONG PROVENANCES OF <em>ACACIA</em> <em>NILOTICA</em> SSP. <em>INDICA</em>

Abstract

The carbohydrate, starch, chlorophyll and N, P, K, Ca and Mg contents in leaf varied significantly (p<0.05) among 21 provenances of Acacia nilotica ssp. indica, collected from areas throughout its distribution range in India from latitude 11°N to 31°N and altitude from 19 to 650 m. The rankings of provenances for biochemical and nutrient assimilations were different at both 7- and 30-month ages. The greatest concentrations of carbohydrate and chlorophyll were noticed in Roorkee provenance at 7-month age, and in Hisar and Medinipur provenances at 30-month age respectively. The starch content was greatest in Medinipur provenance at both ages. In general, Hisar and Gurgaon provenances had higher contents of nutrients. These provenances also showed superior growth as compared to other provenances in the field. The provenance variations were random, and did not show a significant (p > 0.05) relationship with the latitude of the origin source. The observations are useful for selection of provenances for arid and semi-arid conditions.