Hareram Sahoo, Aditya Kumar, Yogeshwar Mishra and Rahul Kumar
Abstract
Shorea robusta Gartn. f.is one of the most extensively dispersed and economically significant species. It contributes about 10.87 percent to the growing stock of the country and designated as state tree of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. It is found predominantly and naturally throughout the Jharkhand, but the populations are getting degenerated and of poor vigor. To study the growth pattern among different populations, identify populations for collecting seeds to raise future plantations and devise the conservation strategies, 15 distinct populations were studied for plant height (PH), diameter at breast height (DBH), basal girth (BG), clear bole length (CBL), crown length (CL) and individual tree volume across the Jharkhand. Under the study, the Saranda population was found superior for all the studied economical traits viz. mean plant height (21.73 m), mean diameter at breast height (0.45 m), mean clear bole length (13.42 m) and mean tree volume (2 m3). Hence, Saranda population can be utilized as seed source for raising plantations in Jharkhand. The correlation analysis revealed positive and significant correlation of tree volume with DBH, BG and pH. Therefore, the tree volume can be utilized for selecting the superior trees for further tree improvement programs.