Performance of some Dalbergia sissoo clones collected from its distribution zones for nodulation and nitrogen fixation behavior under nursery condition

Abstract

Fourteen Dalbergia sissoo clones collected from its distribution zone in the country and were raised in vegetative multiplication garden at Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun. Out of the existing plant stock five clones were selected from Rajasthan origin, two from Haryana, six from Uttar Pradesh and one from Uttarakhand for the present study. Plants growth data together with nodules were recorded from roots and further assessed for nodulation and nitrogenase activity. Maximum pl-1 nitrogenase activity and height was recorded from U.P (Clone no 33 and 20), whereas, highest collar diameter, nodule weight and number was recorded from Rajasthan (Clone no 80 and 103). Overall clones collected from Uttar Pradesh showed better performance over others. Further for accurate and real selection of the clones, nitrogen fixation and its seasonal behavior performance of each clone is required to be studied. Secondly, for different Shisham growing area, maintenance of clonal seed orchard and vegetative multiplication garden is recommended to conserve the vigour of individual clonal material on agro-climatic zone basis for the future planting stock improvement program and to combat the Shisham mortality in the field and in near future.