Assessment of dwarf genotypes in litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) based on some trunk and leaf characteristics

Abstract

Studying the relationship between trunk quantitative parameters and tree growth and vigour in litchi is crucial for estlablishing the basis of dwarfing in different genotypes. Observation on plant height, trunk girth, bark area of trunk, xylem diameter, xylem area, xylem transversal area, bark transversal area, trunk transversal area, bark:wood ratio, rachis length, leaf blade length, dry weight of leaf were recorded on 30 litchi genotypes, having diverse growth habit. Data were subjected to correlation analysis. A positive correlation of plant height was found with trunk girth, rachis length, leaflet blade length and dry weight of leaf which was observed which also exhibited strong positive correlation with xylem diameter, xylem area and xylem transversal area. Similarly, bark area had a very strong positive correlation with bark:wood ratio but was negatively correlated with plant height, trunk girth, xylem diameter, xylem area and xylem transversal area. In litchi, dwarf genotypes have higher bark area and bark:wood ratio compared to vigorous ones. Using these parameters as criteria for screening the dwarfing genotypes would be useful to generate the information for differentiating between genotypes with varying growth and vigour.