Early Growth Comparison between Seedlings and Clones of Casuarina equisetifolia L.

Difference in growth performance between seed raised and clonally propagated plant materials, derived from nine 6-year old randomly selected female trees, grown in a clone bank of Casuarina equisetifolia L. was examined upto 3 years under controlled conditions. Half yearly observations on total height, collar diameter and data on shoot length, ischolar_main length, collar diameter, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, ischolar_main fresh weight, ischolar_main dry weight, biomass index and total biomass (fresh weight and dry weight basis) at the age of 3 were used for the study. The results of this early growth comparison clearly indicated the superiority of seedlings over ischolar_mained cuttings. This could be attributed to the fact that seeds were obtained as a result of random mating of the superior casuarina selections in the clone bank. Being a polygamous species, possibility of using clone bank as a research seed orchard exists in this species. Flowering and fruit settingwere observed in clones from 8 months onwards. However, no flowering was noticed in any of the seedlings. As mature branchlet cuttings from higher up the stem can be ischolar_mained which will flower at a very early stage, clonal route will be the most promising option to raise orchards for quick and quality seed production in C. equisetifolia.