Evaluation of Different Clones (Grafts) of Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata L.) for Morphometric Characters in a Clonal Seed Orchard
Firstly thirty two genotypes of the species, collected from different areas, were evaluated for growth traits, mineral nutrients and proximate principles after four years in a previously raised progeny trial. In this way top eighteen genotypes were selected and grafted separately on seedling stock of the same species and a clonal seed orchard was established which consisted of eighteen clones (grafted) raised in RBD with three replications. After five years the observations were recorded on individual ramet viz; plant height, basal diameter, leaf width, leaf length, number of branches, petiole length and green leaf yield. Significant differences among clones were observed for different morphometric traits. Various genetic parameters and correlation coefficients for different growth characters were determined. The highest percent GCV (33.20) and PCV(36.02) as also heritability (84.95) were exhibited by green leaf yield while maximum GA (3.23) was noticed in leaf width. The highest percent GG (61.86) was recorded for green leaf yield. Significantly positive correlations were observed between plant height and basal diameter (0.6086), plant height and green leaf yield (0.8461), basal diameter and green leaf yield (0.6924), leaf width and leaf length (0.6490), leaf width and green leaf yield (0.5688) and leaf length and green leaf yield (0.4225).