Do the Geo-Climatic Variables shape Morphological Plasticity Pattern in Melia dubia Cav. Natural Populations in Gujarat?

This work presents the morphological variations in foliar and fruit traits among four natural populations of Melia dubia in Gujarat, India. Results showed considerable but significant variations exist among and within populations for seven leaf and four fruit traits. Sagai (SG) population had maximum values for most foliar traits, whereas the Kaparada (KP) and Nanapondha (NP) populations had higher dimensions of fruit traits. The intraclass correlation exhibited a strong positive relationship between leaf length, petiole length, and leaf base diameter. Similarly, pulp weight had strong positive correlations with fruit dimensions (length, width, and weight). Multivariate analysis of morphological data reduced it into three principal components (PCs), capturing a cumulative variability of 80.7%. Correlation and regression analysis of PC scores with geo-climatic variables revealed a strong direct relationship between habitat latitude, altitude, and mean annual temperature. The mean annual rainfall also had a strong but inverse influence, whereas longitude did not record any significant association with PC1. The populations occupying niches of higher altitude, higher MAT, and lower precipitation were characterised by longer and narrower leaves with a maximum number of pinnae and leaflets and smaller fruits.