Tree selection and progeny evaluation of Khati Chamol (Bauhinia malabarica Roxb.) at Nursery stage
Research Type
Departmental Research
Experiment Background
Khati Chamol, Bauhinia malabarica Roxb. (Family: Fabaceae), is an evergreen tree distributed in different parts of India including Gujarat. B. malabarica occurs in the middle story of South and North Indian moist deciduous forests as well as Northern tropical dry deciduous forests. It is recorded to be, Species is considered as lesser known and categorized as vulnerable. During field visits, it is noticed that few trees were tall and round in stem structure and such trees can be utilized for production, conservation and further utilization. Information about improvement and utilization of this species is scanty and there is a need to work out tree improvement of this species. Tree selection and evaluation is main objective of tree improvement. Further, production of quality seedling is also essential for planation purpose. Therefore, the present study is proposed to select and evaluate the candidate plus trees of B. malabarica through progeny trial at nursery stages. Later, good quality planting materials raised from selected CPTs will be field planted in the Farm of College of Forestry, NAU, Navsari for their preservation and growth attributes.
Hypothesis:
Is there any variation among Candidate Plus Trees (CPTs) of Khati Chamol (Bauhinia malabarica Roxb.) for seed germination and seedling growth and vigour under nursery condition?
Study will be carried out with following objectives:
Experiment Group
Forestry
Unit Type
(02)EDUCATION UNIT
Unit
(61)COLLEGE OF FORESTRY (NAU, NAVSARI)
Department
(2360)SILVICULTURE AND AGROFORESTRY, COF, NAU, NAVSARI
BudgetHead
(352/12065/00)352/01/REG/04200
Objective
To select Candidate Plus Trees (CPTs) of Khati Chamol (Bauhinia malabarica Roxb.)
To understand the seed germination pattern among selected CPTs
To evaluate progenies for early growth and vigour under nursery condition
Season
Not season specific
Location Unit Type
(02)EDUCATION UNIT
Location Unit
(61)COLLEGE OF FORESTRY (NAU, NAVSARI)
Location Department
(2361)SILVICULTURE AND AGROFORESTRY, COF, NAU, NAVSARI
Plot No
Forestry College Farm, FPU Nursery near Arboretum
PI Name
(NAU-EMP-2013-000932)RAJESH PANDURANGA GUNAGA
PI Email
rpgunaga@nau.in
PI Mobile
9408851342
Year of Approval
2025
Commencement Year
2025
Completion Year
2030
Design of Experiment
Selective (Purposive) sampling will be done at the time of Selection of Plus Trees
Nursery design will be CRD
Crop Spacing (cm x cm)
NA
Gross Plot (m x m)
Nursery experiment
Net Plot (m x m)
Nursery experiment
Total Experiment Area (m2)
Nursery experiment (Details will be submitted at the time of periodic report
Plot History Last Three Year
Nursery experiment
Initial Soil Sample Analysis Report
Data will be provided in the ongoing report
Initial Soil Sample Analysis Report Attachment
Attachment Not Available!
Layout Plan
Selective (Purposive) sampling will be done at the time of Selection of Plus Trees
Nursery design will be CRD
Lay out will be provided in the ongoing annaul report
Layout Plan Attachment
Attachment Not Available!
Treatment
Individual Candidate Plus Trees (CPTs) will be considered as Treatments
Minimum 15 CPTs will be selected from study area
3 replication
CRD nursery design
Tree observation
Tree height (m)
GBH (cm)
Clear Bole Height (m)
Commercial Bole Height (m)
Crown length (m)
Crown height (m)
Crown diameter (m)
Branch angle (°)
Stem form (Straightness and Roundness)
Mid diameter (cm)
Form quotient
Bark thickness (mm)
Yield parameters
Volume (m3)
Biomass (kg per tree)
Carbon content (kg per tree)
Pod and Seed traits
Pod length (mm)
Pod width (mm)
Pod thickness (mm)
Seed length (mm)
Seed thickness (mm)
Seed width (mm)
Germination attributes
Germination percentage
Mean Daily Germination (MDG)
Peak Value of Germination (PV)
Germination Value (GV)
Mean Germination Time (MGT)
Germination Rate Index (GRI)
Seedling growth and vigour parameters
Shoot height (cm)
Basal diameter (cm)
Number of leaves per plant
Fresh weight of shoot and root (g)
Dry weight of shoot and root (g)
Root: Shoot ratio
Sturdiness quotient
Seedling quality index
Seedling growth and vigour parameters should be taken after 6 months of transplanting
Methodology:
Minimum 15 trees will be selected in different Khati Chamol (Bauhinia malabarica Roxb.) populations located at Amania, Ambapani, Dabdhar, Sadarpani, Medha, Chunavadi and surrounded forest area of south Gujarat will be explored. Based on selective sampling technique, superior individuals (CPTs) will be marked and biometric observation of marked trees will be measured using different instruments viz., Tree Calliper, Electronic Clinometer, and Criterion Dendrometer including measuring tape, by following tree improvement guidelines. Pods will be collected from these selected CPTs. Healthy pod & seed will be used for observation. Germination experiment will be carried out in the LKTs project forest nursery of College of Forestry, NAU, Navsari. Common seed treatment-Soaking seed in concentrated sulphuric acid (98%) for 30 min followed by soaking in normal water for 24 hrs will be used. Germination trial will be conducted in germination tray using Soil: Sand: FYM mixture in 2:1:1 ratio and trays will be arranged in CRD. For each CPTs, 300 seeds (100 seeds per repetition) will be used depends upon the seed availability. Daily germination count will be made and later, two leaves stage seedlings will be transplanted into polybag of size 6² x 8² containing Soil+ Sand + FYM (2:1:1) for growth experiment (progeny trial). For each CPTs, 60 seedlings (20 seedlings per repetition) will be used for growth observations. Further, data will be analysed statistically using CRD with the help of statistical softwars and data will be arranged in tabular form for data presentation.