Early Growth Comparison between Seedlings and Clones of <I>Casuarina equisetifolia</I> L.

Abstract

Difference in growth performance between seed raised and clonally propagated plant materials, derived from nine 6-year old randomly selected female trees, grown in a clone bank of Casuarina equisetifolia L. was examined upto 3 years under controlled conditions. Half yearly observations on total height, collar diameter and data on shoot length, root length, collar diameter, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, biomass index and total biomass (fresh weight and dry weight basis) at the age of 3 were used for the study. The results of this early growth comparison clearly indicated the superiority of seedlings over rooted cuttings. This could be attributed to the fact that seeds were obtained as a result of random mating of the superior casuarina selections in the clone bank. Being a polygamous species, possibility of using clone bank as a research seed orchard exists in this species. Flowering and fruit settingwere observed in clones from 8 months onwards. However, no flowering was noticed in any of the seedlings. As mature branchlet cuttings from higher up the stem can be rooted which will flower at a very early stage, clonal route will be the most promising option to raise orchards for quick and quality seed production in C. equisetifolia