Preliminary Observations on Genetic Variability and Character Association in Dalbergia sissoo Roxb

Twenty provenances/seed sources of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. scattered over a wide range of its natural occurrence in India were studied for the pattern of genetic variation and character association after two and a half years of field planting in a statistically laid out trial. The results revealed the presence of highly significant variations among the provenances for height, number of branches and survival per cent. There are fair differences between phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variability indicating that these parameters are sensitive to environmental changes. The estimates of heritability and expected genetic gain were low to moderate for all the characters, except number of branches which registered comparatively higher values of heritability (61.95%) and genetic gain (28.45%). The correlations among most ofthe characters at phenotypic level were positive and significant indicating that simultaneous improvement of these characters can be brought about easily. The provenances from Lucknow and Muzaffernagar exhibited good growth performance and are recommended for immediate planting programmes in this region until the final results are obtained.