Impact of clones in a clonal seed orchard on the variation of seed traits, germination and seedling growth in Santalum album L.

Clonal Seed Orchard (CSO) of Santalum album L. at Nallal, India consisting of 25 clones originated from different agro-climatic conditions of four southern states (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh) was source of seeds for variability studies. There was vast variation in seed size, weight, germination, vigour and seedling growth of different clones over the years. Seed length, width and weight were positively correlated to each other but seed size had no effect on germination, Germination Value (GV), days taken for germination and early seedling growth. Effects of Clones were dominant and accounted for variation in germination rather than seed size. There was no consistency in the parameters studied in the two years. The impact of these genetic differences in handling of seed lots during bulking, grading and storage for mass propagation of nursery planting stock of S. album is also discussed.