Forty-six Casuarina equisetifolia clones were evaluated for growth and wood parameters to study their genetic divergence. The clones were grouped into seven clusters using Mahalanobis D 2 analysis. Vessel frequency contributed maximum (51.50%) towards divergence followed by specific gravity (16.23%). Maximum intercluster distance was observed between clusters 3 and 5 (14.58) followed by clusters 5 and 7 (12.098). Intracluster distance was maximum in cluster 5 (9.225) followed by clusters 6 (8.991), 7 (8.068) and 1 (7.700). Highest value of heritability, genetic advance and genetic gain were obtained for specific gravity, fibre length and volume respectively. Both phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) and environmental coefficients of variation (ECV) were highest for vessel frequency, while genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV) was highest for volume. ECV was observed to be higher than GCV for all the traits showing the influence of environmental factors on these traits. The results on genetic divergence had potential for immediate application in the establishment of clonal seed orchards. Information on genetic divergence provides an opportunity for hybridisation among the genotypes and obtaining quality seeds with high vigour.
Areas covering native plant and tree species protected on behalf of religious grounds are known as sacred groves. Apart from India, sacred groves occur in various countries including America, Australia, Africa, Asia and Europe. They are not merely patches of forests but are islands in desolated landscapes. Many valuable medicinal plants and wild relatives of cultivated species are residing in sacred groves which have got tremendous roles to play in species or tree improvement programmes. Ancient sacred groves should be treated as possessing “Incomparable Values” according to the National Environment Policy of India. This paper reviewed extensively, analyzed and presented the current status on these invaluable resource pockets in India.
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