Genetic variation for growth and productivity parameters in a collection of Bhimal (Grewia optiva J.R. Drummond ex Burret) provenances collected from northwestern Himalayas.

摘要

The importance of Bhimal as an agroforestry tree species in northwestern Himalayas has been well-documented. However, very little work has been done to evaluate the growth and productivity parameters of this multipurpose tree species (MPT). The study was therefore, undertaken with a view to substitute, rather empirical approaches of establishing agroforestry plantations with defined genetic approaches and quality planting materials in respect of parameters related with growth and productivity. The study comprised genetic evaluation of seven provenances collected from different regions of northwestern Himalayas and their simultaneous evaluation at one site (Dehradun, Uttar Pradesh, India) for 10 years from 1995-2004. There was substantial genetic variation for different growth and productivity parameters through variance component and age-age analyses and there was ample scope of selecting promising materials. This should facilitate improving the productivity potential of Grewia optiva, and agroforestry systems based on these MPTs. As a follow-up of the study, high yielding provenances identified in this study have been mass multiplied in 2005-06 and planted at 4 different sites, namely Almas, Ranigaon, Selakui and Sabhawala in the middle and foothills of north western Himalayas under the prevailing agroforestry systems in farmers' fields.