Evaluation and selection of Salix clones for different end uses under Punjab conditions

The field trial was conducted during 2012–13 at Punjab Agricultural University seed farm, Ladhowal, Ludhiana located in central plains of Punjab. Twenty-two willow clones were planted in a randomized block design with three replications, to study the growth and genetic performance of different clones. The data was recorded for plant height, collar diameter, leaf area, leaf less days and number of branches. All the characters under study exhibited significant differences among different clones. On the basis of plant height and collar diameter, clone UHFS-13 showed the maximum growth (4.00 m and 3.57 cm, respectively) and overall performance of other best clones was in the order of UHFS-14, UHFS-3, UHFS-12 and UHFS-19. The values of genotypic variability for different traits were between low (8.57%) in collar diameter to high (36.33%) in leaf area and for phenotypic variability between moderate (16.78%) in plant height to high (40.14%) in leaf area. Values of heritability and genetic gain were observed between low to high. On phenological basis, clone UHFS-2, UHFS-5, UHFS-12 and UHFS-18 would be suitable for tree-crop combination, and clone UHFS-3, UHFS-13, UHFS-14 and UHFS-16 for biofuel or phyto-remediation and clone UHFS-10 with drooping branches for landscape purposes.