Performance of Bhilawa (Semecarpus anacardium) collected from different seed sources of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

The present study was conducted during 2024-25 at IGKV Raipur to evaluate the seedling growth performance of Semecarpus anacardium collected from three agroclimatic zones of Chhattisgarh using different potting mixtures. Seeds were collected from Kondagaon (Bastar plateau), Jashpur (Northern hills) and Mohla-Manpur (Chhattisgarh plains). Significant variability was observed among seed sources and treatments. The Kondagaon seed source along with treatment T₁ (Soil + Vermicompost + FYM) exhibited the highest values for nearly all growth parameters, including seedling height (14.50 cm), number of leaves (12.75), root length (15.90 cm), fresh shoot weight (8.30 g), dry shoot weight (2.09 g), fresh root weight (9.24 g), and dry root weight (1.41 g). Collar diameter (2.60 mm) was recorded highest in KT₁ and JT₂. The study confirms strong treatment and seedsource influence on early seedling growth and identifies Kondagaon × T₁ as the most suitable combination for nursery raising of Bhilawa.