Assessment of genetic variability in Acacia catechu willd

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Assessment of genetic Variability in Acacia catechu Willd.” was carried out in the Department of Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources, Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry. Field survey was carried out across the populations of Acacia catechu throughout HP to select well represented ten seed sources viz. S1 (Badlech), S2 (Dhaulakuan) S3 (Maryog) S4 (Bhojnagar) S5 (Dilman) S6 (Subathu) S7 (Hamirpur) S8 (Kangra) S9 (Jacch) and S10 (Bilaspur). The seed collection from individual trees was done to study variability status of individual mother trees selected. Progenies of individual tree were raised in Randomized Block Design to assess growth performance with respect to seedling height, collar diameter and number of branches and number of leaves. The data analyzed by RBD revealed that there was significant variation between seed sources was observed. Significant high gain obtained for variation between most of the seed sources on mean value basis. Similarly progeny performance revealed significant variation within seed source, suggesting scope for single tree selection.