Seed Source Variation in Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa

Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa commonly called a Bael is one of the most important indigenous medicinal plants with a multiple therapeutic uses. It is used to improve human health from the ancient times. The present study was carried out at Navsari, Gujarat (AES-III, South Gujarat Heavy Rainfall Zone). Seeds of A. marmelos were collected from 4 regions with 10 different locations. Central Gujarat 01 (Gandhinagar), South Gujarat 04 (Navsari, Netrang, Rajpipla and Waghai), North Gujarat 04 (Danta, Ratanmahal, Shamlaji and Vijaynagar) and Saurashtra 01 (Junagadh). The highest seed length (0.83 cm), seed width (0.39 cm), seed weight (17.87 g), collar diameter (3.81 mm), root length (54.87 cm) and fresh weight of seedling (6.64 g) was observed in the seed collected from Junagadh seed source. Highest survival percentage (25.99%) root diameter (5.57 mm) was observed in Rajpipla seed source. The highest fruit length (8.62 cm) was recorded from fruits collected from Shamlaji seed source; maximum fruit diameter (6.56 cm) was recorded from fruit collected from Navsari seed source. The data revealed that maximum germination percentage (28.36%) was recorded in Vijaynagar seed source and the maximum shoot length (18.92 cm) was recorded for Ratanmahal seed source; the highest number of leaves/plant were observed in Gandhinagar seed source (10.97); however, the maximum dry weight of seedling (2.22 g) was observed in Waghai seed source. Study was aimed to throw insight in to seed source variation and their morphological characters.