Development of Morphological Descriptors For Characterization of Teak (Tectona Grandis L. f.) Seed Sources In India

Abstract

Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) plantations in India has been intensified in the recent past yet, morphological descriptors for teak is still lacking. Hence, this study aimed to develop descriptors using morphological traits. Among 30 seed sources collected from different states of India, 24 morphological descriptors viz., leaf length, leaf width, presence of petiole, petiole length, leaf shape, shape of leaf apex, shape of leaf base, leaf texture, phyllotaxy, leaf attitude, leaf margin, leaf margin undulation, leaf brightness, leaf venation, leaf main vein, leaf veins, leaf vein colour, leaf colour, leaf pubescence, young leaf colour, number of internodes, internodal length, trunk spots and trunk colour were developed based on leaf and stem characteristics. Subsequently, genetic similarity among the sources were estimated by Jaccard similarity index and cluster analysis was performed by Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic mean (UPGMA) method.