Provenance evaluation in the seedling characters of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss)

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Date
1997
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Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara.
Abstract
A study was conducted at College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, Trichur on provenance evaluation in the seedling characters of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) for a period of one year from 1995 to 1996. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomised design. A total of eight provenances were used in this study they are Dindigul, Nagarcoil, Coimbatore, Trichur, Srivelliputhur, Palghat, Ghatti Subramanya and Molakalmur. In respect of various seed characters studied Nagarcoil was the best performer in characters like 100 seed weight, seed breadth and germination percentage. Trichur was the best performer in seed length and seed length breadth ratio and Srivelliputhur was the best performer in thickness of pericarp. In terms of various seedling characters studied Coimbatore was the best performer in height, leaf number, leaf area, stem dry weight, leaf dry weight, and shoot dry weight. Palghat provenance was superior with respect to root dry weight, and root shoot ratio; Nagarcoil was the best in terms of collar girth and Dindigul in total dry weight. Nevertheless, Coimbatore provenance was found to be the best performer in most of the seedling character studied. Isozyme banding pattern for peroxidase showed two bands PRX-1 and PRX-3 in common. Eight provenances were grouped in to two based on the presence or absence of PRX-2. No significant variation was observed in terms of chlorophyll - A, Band total chlorophyll content between provenances. Number of stomata per square centimetre was maximum in Coimbatore provenance. For the genetic characters studied 100 seed weight and germination percentage recorded maximum GCV and PCV for seed characters and shoot weight and shoot root ratio for seedling characters. Maximum heritability and genetic gain were recorded in germination percentage and height and collar girth in seedling characters. Application of Mahalanobis' D2 statistics and Tocher's method of clustering resolved eight provenances in to four distinct clusters. Cluster I comprising of three provenances (Dindigul, Palakkadu and Ghatti Subramanya). Cluster II comprising of only one cluster (Coimbatore), cluster III comprising of again only one cluster (Molakalmur) and cluster IV comprising of three provenances (Nagarcoil, Trichur and Srivelliputhur). Incidence of pests was not noticed during the entire period of investigation. All provenances were found affected by sooty mold caused by Capnodium sp. during the rainy seasons with out affecting the growth of the seedlings.
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Citation
171309
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