Genetic variability and correlation studies in catechin content and phenotypic characters of Acacia catechu Willd.

Abstract

The study was conducted during 1998-99 in the Solan and Nahan Forest Divisions of the state of Himachal Pradesh to estimate the variability for catechin content and other phenotypic characters of Acacia catechu Willd. for stem forms of trees at different sites. All the phenotypic traits, viz., tree height, crown width, number of primary branches, number of seeds per pod, heartwood specific gravity and catechin content differed significantly with various stem forms at different sites. Wide range of genetic variability was observed for almost all the characters. Tree height, diameter at breast height, crown width, catechin content, number of primary branches, number of seeds per pod and heartwood specific gravity had high estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability, genetic gain and genetic advance. Catechin content showed significant positive relation with heartwood specific gravity and diameter at breast height, whereas significant but negative relation was observed for tree height and number of primary branches. Further, the highest positive direct effect on catechin content was shown by heartwood specific gravity followed by diameter at breast height and tree height. However, crown width, number of primary branches, pod length and 100-seed weight had a negative direct effect.