Journal of Environmental Biology

Association of growth related seedling traits in Acacia senegal

under arid environment of western Rajasthan

Anjly Pancholy, S.K. Jindal, S.K. Singh* and Rakesh Pathak

Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur-342003, India

*Corresponding Author?s E-mail: sksingh1111@hotmail.com

Publication Data

Paper received:

13 January 2014

Revised received:

06 June 2014

Re-revised received:

06 June 2014

Accepted:

08 December 2014

Abstract

Climatic models and predictions indicate increase in aridity world over due to global warming. Arid environments occupy about one third land area of the world. A. senegal is the most important dryland resource of western Rajasthan desert ecosystem. The seeds of 13 low and high seed yielding exotic and indigenous provenances were evaluated for diversity and interrelationship among growth related seedling traits targeting establishment and end use of this species. Under the present study most of the growth related seedling traits varied within and amongst provenances. Highly significant correlation of dry biomass per plant of more than 72% with root length (73.3%), collar diameter (72.2%), shoot dry weight (99.7%), root dry weight (95.7%) and seedling length (79.9%) under the present study may be used for early selection. Similarly, highly significant positive correlation of seedling length with seven out of 12 growth related seedling traits validate strong inherent association of these traits under strong genetic control and are amenable for selection. Significant negative correlation in number of nodules per plant with root/shoot length ratio (-57.6%) and no correlation with 10 out of 12 growth related seedling traits tested advocate emphasis on other growth related seedling traits in selection of elite A. senegal genotypes for afforestation. The non significant associations suggest that per cent germination was independent of other characters and could be selected separately.     

 Key words

Arid environment, Acacia senegal, Provenances, Seedling traits 

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