Evaluation of progenies of candidate plus trees of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, for seed germination and seedling vigour.

摘要

This study was conducted at Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Maharashtra, India, during 2009-2010 to evaluate progenies of 20 candidate plus trees (CPTs) of Pongamia pinnata for seed germination and seedling growth attributes. Individual seed lot of different CPTs was sown in July on raised nursery bed covered with potting mixture consisting of soil, sand and farmyard manure (FYM) at the ratio of 2:1:1. Observation on daily germination count was recorded up to 45 days from the date of first emergence. Growth parameters like seedling height, collar diameter, leaf area and number of leaves were recorded in the nursery bed at monthly intervals up to six months. Six out of 20 CPTs showed maximum seed germination (more than 70%), whereas three CPTs recorded very poor seed germination of less than 30%. After six months, seedling height significantly varied among progenies of CPTs, from 20.85 (KKVPP-01) to 46.2 cm (KKVPP-02). Six CPTs showed higher seedling height of more than 40 cm. Leaf area varied from 14.03 to 27.66 cm2 among progenies of CPTs. Shoot vigour index varied from 480.97 to 3950.1. The root index also followed a similar trend (269.77-1515.25) among CPTs. It was revealed that KKVPP-02 located in the Pezari Poynad region performed better with respect to seed germination, whereas CPTs like KKVPP-06 and KKVPP-7, KKVPP-11, KKVPP-13, KKVPP-17 and KKVPP-18, performed better with respect to seedling growth attributes compared to others.