Clonal diversity of Salix for growth parameters

Abstract

Twenty-two willow clones were planted in randomized block design at two sites (University Seed Farm, Ladhowal and Alamwala forest, Range Malout) to study the clonal diversity among different clones for their growth parameters. The data for plant height, collar diameter, number of branches per plant, canopy spread and diameter at breast height were recorded. All the growth characters exhibited significant differences and positive correlation among different clones at both the locations. On the basis of plant height and collar diameter, clones UHFS-1, UHFS-3 and UHFS-13 performed best at Ludhiana with stagnating water conditions and clones UHFS-1 and UHFS-19 were best at Alamwala. Clones UHFS-1 and UHFS-19 showed wider adaptability at both the sites.