Evaluation of Grewia optiva Drummond Clonal seed orchard for morphometric and fodder quality parameters

Abstract

Abstract Grewia optiva is an important agroforestry species and is grown in lower and mid hills of Western Himalayas by the farmers. It is a multi-purpose tree that provides leaf fodder, fibre and fuelwood. The leaves have high digestibility, nutritive value and is preferred by the livestock. With the increasing demand for fodder, there is a need to develop clones of genetically superior trees. Production of good quality seeds in sufficient large quantity ensures increased productivity of forest plantations by stable supply of genetically desirable and well adapted planting stock. Clonal seed orchard of Grewia optiva consisting of 21 clones was established in the year 2013 in three replicates in RBD design by planting of clonally propagated best families of seedling seed orchard. The clones were evaluated for variability in plant growth parameters, fruit and seed parameters, leaf parameters and fodder quality parameters. The data was subject to principle component analysis and cluster analysis to select best clones for various traits.