| Abstract | Thirty-eight clones of Dalbergia sissoo were evaluated over a period of four years (1995-98) for their flowering and growth behaviour at the Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun, India. Data on plant height, collar diameter, flowering and seedpod production were collected annually. All the plant characters exhibited highly significant variations ( P <0.01) among clones, years of observation and their interaction effects. From the average growth of clones in four years of measurement, clone C018 (Khanpur, Shahmansoorpur, Uttar Pradesh) attained the maximum height, followed by clone C045 (Trilokpur, Gonda, Uttar Pradesh). The average collar diameter in all the four years was largest for clone C045, followed by clone C097 (Lakhawali, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan). Initially, relatively slow growth was observed in clones C129 (Ghaire, Domukha, Jhapa, Nepal) and C124 (Chakarghati, Mahandra Nagar, Nepal) in the first two years. This increased rapidly in subsequent years. Clones from Suratgarh, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan (C099 and C100) exhibited higher seed production; however, no seed setting was observed in clones C023 and C043 (from Bareilly and Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, respectively) till the last observation. Clones from more northern latitudes had higher seedpod production. Clear bole of mother tree, longitude and rainfall of the area from where clones were collected had a significant effect on the growth of clones. |