Correlation Analysis between Morphological and Fodder Characteristics of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae Salicifolia D Don) Populations in Himachal Pradesh

Correlation analysis between morphological and fodder characteristics of seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia D Don) populations in Himachal Pradesh was conducted during 2018-20 with the aim to determine the correlation among different morphological characteristics of plants, leaves, thorns, fruits (berries), seeds and fodder quality. Five female plants of H salicifolia at each site were selected at the time of fruit set ie during August-September when males and females could be differentiated. The selected plants were used for the assessment of morphological and fodder variation of H salicifolia in Spiti and Baspa valleys. Variation in morphological traits and fodder quality traits of different sites of H salicifolia within and between different populations were used to conduct correlation studies. Morphological traits (plant height, branch length, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, leaf density, number of thorns, 100-fruits fresh weight, fruit length, fruit diameter, 100-seed weight, seed length and seed width) differed positively significantly among the populations. All proximate leaf composition (100-leaves fresh weight, 100- leaves dry weight, crude fiber, total dry matter content, crude protein, total ash and nitrogen free extract) showed significant differences between as well as within populations. The correlation coefficient of parameters also showed greater variations as most of quantitative and fodder quality parameters were positively and statistically significant among them. This can be exploited for indirect selection as a mechanism for the genetic improvement of the species.