First report on polyembryony in Pinus roxburghii Sarg.

摘要

Pinus roxburghii Sarg., commonly known as chir pine, belongs to family Pinaceae, subfamily Pinoideae, genus Pinus, subgenus Diploxylon, section Pinea and subsection Canariensis. It is one of the most extensively distributed pines in India. Chir pinegrows at latitudes 26 deg N-36 deg N, logitudes 71 deg E-93 deg E and altitude 450-2300m. It can grow on a variety of soils and can withstand wide ranges of temperature (<0 deg C to 46 deg C) and rainfall (900 to 3000mm.) Chir pine provides not only timber, fuelwood and pulpwood but also meets demand for packing cases, stakes for vegetable cultivation, whereas the needles are used as bedding in cattlesheds and also as cushion material for packaging of fruits and vegetables. Resin obtained from Chir pineis a product of great industrial importance as it is used in soap, paper, pharmaceutical and paint industries.