Genetic variability studies in clonal population of teak (Tectona grandis L)

The study was carried out on genetic variability in clonal population of teak (Tectona grandis L) during the year 2011–12 at the Department of Forestry, Post Graduate Institute, Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra. The study revealed that there was substantial variability among the clones used as experimental material whereas the estimates of heritability ranged from 69.60 per cent for number of branches to 98.70 per cent for leaf area while the expected genetic advance expressed as percentage over mean ranged from 18.66 per cent for number of branches to 56.41 per cent for volume reflecting the variability among the clones. In the present study the high value expected genetic advance was observed for volume (56.41%) while moderate for leaf area (33.61%), girth (22.55%) and plant height (21.33%). These observed high to moderate estimates of expected genetic advance are indicative of the fact that improvement could be quickly achieved in these characters through selection. High heritability accompanied with high genetic advance in characters suggest that inheritence of characters is governed by additive gene effects. The estimates of high heritability along with low genetic advance were observed for the characters plant height, dry weight of leaf and number of branches and girth. Recurrent selection needs to be employed to carry out further improvement for these characters.