Biological screening of progeny performance traits in Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus (Banoak) populations

Abstract

Biological screening study in Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus Populations (Banoak) in Himachal Pradesh was carried out for selection of best phenotypes. In order to select best sites for improved genetic gain and quality production of Quercus leucotrichophora, eight sites and three D.B.H. classes from Himachal Pradesh were evaluated on the basis of progeny performance traits. The study revealed significant variation among different sites for traits viz., Leaf area of seedling, Fresh leaf biomass of seedling, Root length of seedling, Shoot length of seedling, Root: shoot length ratio, Root fresh weight, Shoot fresh weight, Root: shoot fresh weight ratio, Root dry weight, Shoot dry weight and Root: shoot dry weight ratio. On the basis of overall mean Site S2 (Chail-Solan) excelled over other sites selected in progeny performance traits with index scoring 4.34. With in diameter classes significant variation recorded for characters viz., leaf area of seedling, root length of seedling, root: shoot length ratio and shoot dry weight. Diameter class> 60 cm excelled in progeny performance indicating mean of index score value of 4.33.