High-yielding provenances of bhimal (Grewia optiva) for fodder and fuelwood production in north-western Himalayas

Abstract

Provenance evaluation of bhimal (Grewia optia J R Drumm. ex Burret) was initiated in 1995 with respect to growth and productivity parameters for assessing genetic variations and identifying the most productive provenances which could be recommended in prevailing agroforestry systems. The materials comprised seven provenances of G. optiva collected from different locations of the northern states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and planted in complete randomized block design with three replications. The data were recorded for growth and productivity parameters for 10 years. Significant variations were recorded for growth and productivity parameters. The highest fresh fodder productivity recorded in I C Malas 3.57 tonnes/ha, statistically at par with I C Bhaintan 3.49±0.04 tonnes/ha) was 1.21 times more than the least productive provenance I C Nauni. However, in respect of dry weight of debarked fuelwood and dry weight of bark fibre, I C Bhaintan produced 0.71 and 0.37 tonnes/ha biomass, which was 1.80 and 2.0 times higher than the least productive provenance (I C Tachla). The ranking of provenances based on the cumulative score of growth and productivity parameters indicated that I C Malas was the most productive provenance, followed by I C Bhaintan. These elite provenances (I C Bhaintan, I C Malas and I C Chamba) were multiplied in 2006 in a polyhouse and planted under different agroforestry systems on the farmers’ fields at different elevations in the lower and middle Himalayas of Uttarakhand, as part of multi-location testing.