Abstract
Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., a very good timber species has a drawback of crooked and low forking bole which deteriorate the lumber quality. The variability for these traits in 1400 km long strip plantations was surveyed to select the superior trees for stem form. Sixteen candidate trees were marked and observations on tree height, clear bole height, diameter, fork diameter and number of crooks were recorded on candidate tree report proforma. Data on these traits were also recorded on randomly taken trees which were used as base line for the selection of plus trees. Twelve plus trees were selected. Mean values for total height, clear bole height and apical dominance were significantly more in plus trees than those of base line ones. However, the diameter, fork diameter ratio and number of crooks per metre height of clear bole were more in base line trees. There was no difference in both groups for stem roundness. The results are discussed in terms of genetic gain in the light of heritability of traits for stem form. High genetic gain for number of crooks is predicted from these selections in the next generation.
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