The Biobrio 10(1 & 2), 2023

Genetic evaluation of Shorea robusta Garten. f. in Saranda Forest of Jharkhand based on morphological traits

Hareram Sahoo, Aditya Kumar & Yogeshwar Mishra

ABSTRACT:

Saranda Forest division in the state of Jharkhand accounts for one of the largest species richness of the Sal tree. The species naturally grows throughout the area, and dominates the forest cover. It is one of the main sources of subsistence, in the region that are dominated by tribes. In recent years, the richness of the species is reduced due to biotic and abiotic reasons such as poor and erratic rainfall, changing temperatures, degraded soil, forest fires, tree felling, overexploitation of NTFPS, etc. It was important to genetically evaluate the species in the region based on its growth attributes and morphological traits to know the current status of the species in the region and devise the conservation and genetic improvement programs accordingly. In the present study, a total of 30 different trees were selected randomly throughout the area, each of which had a GPS point tagged and was spaced at least 100 meters away from the others. Through the study it was observed that, the mean volume (individual tree volume) ranged from 0.07 m3 (tree Sar-08) to 7.13 m3 (tree Sar-13), with a mean value of 2 m3. Similarly, the mean DBH (Diameter at breast height) was observed to be 0.45 m, ranging from 0.14 m (tree Sar-08) to 0.80 m (tree Sar-13). Besides, the mean PH (plant height) was observed to be 21.73 m, ranging from 10 m (tree Sar-08) to 30 m (tree Sar-13). The genetic correlation study revealed that the tree volume was positively and significantly correlated with DBH at a significance level of 0.1% and with plant height (PH) and clear bole length (CBL) at a significance level of 5%. Therefore, the tree volume can be an important trait for the selection of superior and productive genotypes under the tree Improvement programs. Through the study it was also found that the Saranda Forest is highly diverse and the Sal trees are very vigorous hence can be utilized as seed source for raising the quality plantations of the species

Keywords:    

Shorea robusta, morphological traits, correlation, conservation, seed source

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