Half SIB family variation in seedling traits of Simarouba glauca DC.

A successful promotion of large scale plantation needs a carefully planned and well directed seed source research. The investigation on the variability present in Simarouba glauca was carried out at College of Forestry, Ponnampet, Kodagu district of Karnataka state. The seeds were collected from unpedigreed seedling seed orchards of S. glauca established by the research wing of Karnataka Forest Department at Madahalli, Mysore and Ingalagere near Kushalnagar. Existence of considerable variation among location and families within the location was observed in different seedling traits. Seedling growth parameters like collar diameter and seedling height were found to be significant after three months of sowing whereas the same parameters were insignificant after six months of sowing among the both locations. Among the families seedling growth parameters were evident. Seedling biomass parameters like shoot height, root height, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and total biomass were also assessed among the locations as well as among the families. Seedling quality parameters viz., sturdiness quotient and Dickson's quality index were studied. Estimated heritability values for different seedling parameters like seedling diameter and seedling height was found to be 0.63 and 0.78 respectively. Significant relationship between height and collar diameter of seedlings were found which implied better height growth would bring higher collar diameter. These assessed variations can be used for tree improvement programme.