Analysis of qualitative characteristics among and between populations of Grewia optiva Drummond (Beul)

Abstract

Thirty Populations of superior plus trees (20-30 cm diameter) of Grewia optiva Drummond (Beul) have been selected for study in six districts of Himachal Pradesh viz. Solan, Sirmour, Una, Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra, to study the variation in morphological descriptors among different populations to study qualitative characteristics, On the basis of overall scoring index of useful desired traits, in bark feature silver brown has the maximum percentage value (56.11%), in leaf characteristics ovate leaf shape (95%), leaf colour 135-A (Dark green) (26.11%), leaf serrate margin (87.77%) and leaf apex acuminate has the maximum percentage value i.e. (85.55%) among all other qualitative traits studied. Study concludes with natural phenotypical variation and scoring index on each individual traits for selection and screening of superior individuals within the populations, so as to get improved genetic gain and establishment of gene bank of superior families and best genotypes of the best families. These desired traits viz silver brown bark ovate leaf shape dark green colour Leaf serrate margin are recommended for selection after screening of identified features of the morphotypes.