Assessment of germination attributes in candidate plus trees (CPTs) of Malabar Neem (Melia dubia cav.)

Seeds of twenty candidate plus trees of Melia dubia selected from South Gujarat region of India were assessed and significant variation among CPTs for the germination and related vigour attributes was recorded. Highest germination of 38.05%, mean daily germination, 0.51%, germination value, 1.72 and germination index, 1432.5 was recorded in seeds of NAU-12. Earliest initiation of germination process was recorded in NAU-9 after 23.50 and 38.25 days of sowing, respectively. Findings of the present study suggested that seeds of CPTs like NAU-12, NAU-9 and NAU-17 performed better on germination and vigour traits. Hence, seeds of these candidate plus trees can be employed to develop quality planting material for farm forestry.