VARIATION IN GROWTH OF 3-YEAR-OLD PROVENANCE TRIAL OF ALBIZIA-LEBBEK (L) BENTH IN ARID INDIA

Twelve provenances of Albizia lebbek (L.) BENTH., a multipurpose tree were collected from 9 degrees N to 32 degrees N latitude, 72 degrees E to 85 degrees E longtitude and 40 cm to 400 cm rainfall zones in Indi a. The plantations were raised at Hisar, in north-western India (29 de grees N, 75 degrees E, 215 m alt., 60 cm rainfall). In 3-year old tree s significant variations (P<0.05) in height, diameter (DBH), branch nu mber and biomass were observed among most of the provenances. Wide ran ges in the means were exhibited by height (3.4 m to 5.6 m), DBH (3.3 c m to 6.3 cm) and biomass (2.7 kg/tree to 9.4 kg/tree). Provenances fro m north-western and central India, in general, were superior to those from south India. There were significant correlations between height o r DBH with the latitude of seed source origin (r=0.644, r=0.803, respe ctively; P<0.05). The heritability estimates were: 23.6% for height, 2 0.3% for DBH, 24% for crown spread and 17.3% for bole biomass. The var iations are useful for breeding work on this important multipurpose tr ee of semi-arid and arid regions.