GENETIC VARIATION FOR QUANTITATIVE TRAITS AMONG TEAK (TECTONA GRANDIS L) CLONES

Abstract

Present study was carried out on genetic variability in different teak clones during 2013-14 at the Department of Forestry, Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra and the observations were taken from Teak Clonal Orchard established at the same campus. The study was undertaken on fifteen clones of teak (Tectona grandis L) using randomized block design with three replications. The teak plantation was established in the year 1992 at a spacing of 5 x 5 m. The observations for quantitative characters were recorded from three randomly selected trees for each clone. Clone APT 4 exhibited maximum DBH (34 cm), height (15 m), and basal area (963 cm2 ). A dendrogram was created based on the quantitative observations and grouped the clones into seven major clusters. But the dispersion plot defined by the first two principal components did not show any significant grouping. The phenological characters for all fifteen clones like month of flowering, month of leaf shedding, month of leaf initiation and month of fruiting were recorded. No significant difference was observed in their phenological behaviour. Clone APT 4 is a superior genotype and thus can be recommended for vegetative multiplication and ex-situ mass planting in reforestation programmes.