Studies on growth performance parameters of Cedrus deodara populations under field conditions in temperate zone of Himachal Pradesh

Studies on growth performance parameters of Cedrus deodara populations were conducted under field trial laid at Temperate Horticultural and Forestry Research Station, Kotkhai, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh situated at an elevation of 1800 m amsl. The saplings of deodar belonged to different populations occurring in six districts of Himachal Pradesh viz Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu, Shimla, Kinnaur and Sirmaur. Populations were coded as P₁ to P₂₀. The plants were planted at a spacing of 3 x 3 m in the pits of size 60 x 60 x 60 cm where regular watering was done and uniform cultural practices were employed to screen out the best genotypes and best families growing under similar conditions at Kotkhai. Study concluded that the family and population P₁₃(Kufri), P₁₅(Hatu Peak) and P₁₁ (Manali) were superior over other families and populations in respect of growth parameters viz height, diameter, number of primary branches and needle length at initial stage of growth indicating that these populations and families were genetically superior and could be taken for further breeding potentials and programmes which have shown eye-catching growth performance in the open field conditions. Study also showed that geographic diversity may not be related with the genetic diversity.