Clonal Propagation and Clonal Seed Orchard for Yield Improvement in Neem (<I>Azadirachta indica</I> A. Juss)

Abstract

Clonal technology for mass propagating the high yielding Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) trees has been standardized for the first time. A clone bank ofNeem has been established with 60 clones from different parts of Tamil Nadu. The juvenile cuttings collected from the selected clones in the clone bank gave 77 to 100% rooting throughout the year indicating that hedging induced juvenility in mature tissues. Season does not have a major role on rooting in juvenile cuttings and superior Neem trees can be clonally multiplied throughout the year. The clonal propagules showed early flowering and fruiting suggesting the possible reduction in juvenile phase of the tree and accelerating the breeding programme. A clonal seed orchard of Neem with 17 clones has been established at Sadivayal , Coimbatore for quality seed production.