TEAK SEED ORCHARDS AND SEED PRODUCTION IN MADHYA PRADESH

摘要

To improve the productivity and quality ofplantations, it is necessary to ensure the use of good quality seeds and establishment of permanent sources for the continuous production of genetically improved seeds in desired quantity. Teak being a qualitytimber species, there is always a great demand for seeds. Quality teak seed production is achieved by establishment of seed orchards that may be clonal seed orchard (CSO) or seedling seed orchard (SSO). The present article succinctly describes the teakseed orchards and their seed production in Madbya Pradesh. CSOs cover an area of 175.97 ha, established in different eco-zones of Madhya Pradesh, viz. Betul, Chhindwara, Jabalpur, Nepanagar and Seoni. Of the 179 studied clones belonging to different teakgrowing areas of Madhya Pradesh, only one clone PT -46 of Seoni was recorded to be excellent seed bearer (>1.5 kg/tree/year), 14 clones as good seed bearer (>1.0 kg/tree/year) and 10 clones as satisfactory seed bearer (>0.9 kg/tree/year). The problem ofpollination due to lack of sufficient insect pollinators and insect pests during the period of flowering and fruiting in teak are responsible for poor seed setting and subsequent low seed production in most of the teak seed orchards of Madhya Pradesh.