Influence of seed source variations for seed morphometric traits in Sapindus emarginatus Vahl.

B. L. MAHESHNAIK; RAJU L CHAVAN

B. L. MAHESHNAIK Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry, Sirsi-584 104
RAJU L CHAVAN Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, Dharwad University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka - 580 005, India

Keywords: Coefficient, Morphometric traits, Non-timber forest product (NTFP), Seed source

Abstract

Sapindus emarginatus is an important non-timber forest product (NTFP) tree species of central and southern states of India, that has saponin and fatty oil content in its pericarp and seed respectively. Ecologically species distribution is random pattern in natural habitat contributing for green cover and tree outside the forests. In the present context of the study, was performed with selected ten different locations seed sources of S. emarginatus covering its entire natural population distribution of central western ghat of Karnataka viz., (T1) Athani, (T2) Kalghatgi, (T3) Dandeli, (T4) Hangal, (T5) Sagara, (T6) Mudigere, (T7) Putturu, (T8) Madikeri, (T9) Saraguru, (T10) Gundlupete.Coefficient of variation (C.V.) between seed sources shown 18.82 per cent for tree mean girth and 11.40 per cent for tree height. Seed morphometric traits was assessed by collected different seed source’sgeographical locations indicated significant variation. (T5) Sagara source was found to be superior with respect to seed morphometric traits viz.,Seed length (13.70 mm), seed diameter (12.10 mm), 100 seed weight (159.50 g) and 100 kernel weight (94.40 g). In nutshell, seed sources of Sapindus emarginatus collected from (T5) Sagara and (T1) Athani performed well in morphometric traits to facilitate for future breeding and tree improvement programme.