Variation in growth and wood traits among nine populations of teak in Peninsular India

Growth, wood characteristics and bark thickness were studied in relation to climatic, edaphic and latitudinal factors in seven 60 year old plantations and two natural populations of teak from different ecotypes in Peninsular India. The very moist population (Nilambur, Kerala) had best growth and for m but comparatively lower wood density on par with the slightly moist natur al stand (Nasik) and the dry teak population (Pandarkawda, Maharashtra). Po pulations from Kalakkad (natural stand), Topslip and Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu) and Konni (Kerala) had marginally higher wood density values. Sapwood cont ent was negatively correlated with growth rate with significantly lower val ues for very moist and moist populations (Nilambur, Top slip and Konni). Ba rk thickness was higher for the very moist populations of Konni and Nilambu r and showed a positive correlation with tree girth. Wood density and sapwood content showed significant negative and positive t rends respectively with latitude whereas vessel and fibre traits did not sh ow any consistent trend. The populations varied significantly in vessel cha racteristics and anatomical indices like Runkel ratio and FN ratio but not in fibre traits indicating a greater influence of edaphic and site factors than ecotype and latitudinal effects. It is inferred that differences betwe en populations in different traits are influenced by the latitude and total site factors as well a's the ecotype of the stand.