~ 1018 ~ International Journal of Chemical Studies 2018; 6(2): 1018-1022 P-ISSN: 2349–8528 E-ISSN: 2321–4902 IJCS 2018; 6(2): 1018-1022 © 2018 IJCS Received: 06-01-2018 Accepted: 08-02-2018 Sangeeta Devi Department of Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India Dr. HP Sankhyan Principal Scientist /Professor (Forestry), Department of Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India Dr. Sanjeev Thakur Professor, Department of Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni-Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India Dr. Neerja Rana Assistant Professor, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Forestry Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni- Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India Krishan Chand Scientist Agroforestry, Department of Siliviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni- Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India Dr. Vimal Chauhan Principal Scientist Forestry, Directorate of Extension ducation Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni- Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India Dr. SS Sharma Professor Botany, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Forestry Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni-Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India Correspondence Sangeeta Devi Department of Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources College of Forestry, Dr. Y.S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni- Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India Biological screening of progeny performance traits in Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus (Banoak) populations Sangeeta Devi, Dr. HP Sankhyan, Dr. Sanjeev Thakur, Dr. Neerja Rana, Krishan Chand, Dr. Vimal Chauhan and SS Sharma Abstract Biological screening study in Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus Populations (Banoak) in Himachal Pradesh was carried out for selection of best phenotypes. In order to select best sites for improved genetic gain and quality production of Quercus leucotrichophora, eight sites and three D.B.H. classes from Himachal Pradesh were evaluated on the basis of progeny performance traits. The study revealed significant variation among different sites for traits viz., Leaf area of seedling, Fresh leaf biomass of seedling, Root length of seedling, Shoot length of seedling, Root: shoot length ratio, Root fresh weight, Shoot fresh weight, Root: shoot fresh weight ratio, Root dry weight, Shoot dry weight and Root: shoot dry weight ratio. On the basis of overall mean Site S2 (Chail-Solan) excelled over other sites selected in progeny performance traits with index scoring 4.34. With in diameter classes significant variation recorded for characters viz., leaf area of seedling, root length of seedling, root: shoot length ratio and shoot dry weight. Diameter class> 60 cm excelled in progeny performance indicating mean of index score value of 4.33. Keywords: biological screening, Quercus leucotrichophora, populations, banoak, and progeny performance traits 1. Introduction With the rapid growing population and industrialization, the increasing demand of oil and fats cannot be met by putting more pressure on arable land which we need for growing food grains. This deficit can be partially met by the utilization of edible fruits, nuts, seeds of trees growing in the forest. Trees are the largest and among the most complex organisms in the world with millions of diverse life forms (Zobel and Talbert 1984) [19] . Taxonomically the oaks fall under genus Quercus in the family Fagaceae (beech family), which includes more than 400 species and is one of the important tree species in temperate and subtropical plant communities (Koul 1985) [10] . In Himachal Pradesh, out of total forest area of 37591 km 2 , 921 km 2 is under the oak covering different species, viz., Quercus leucotrichophora, Quercus glauca, Quercus dilatata, Quercus semicarpifolia and Quercus ilex (Anonymous,1991) [2] . Quercus leucotrichophora locally called as ‘ban oak’ is a moderate sized to a large evergreen tree with almost rounded crown attaining a height of 20 m and diameter of 60 cm, rarely reaching 30 m in height and 100 cm diameter. Site specific and plus tree selection and diameter class is the primary step and pioneer approach for tree improvement works. Hence, present study in progeny performance traits was contemplated for biological screening. 2. Material and methods The present investigation entitled, “Variability Studies on Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus Populations in Himachal Pradesh” was carried out to study magnitude of variation in the progeny performance traits, variation in different diameter classes, variation among different sites, interaction between the trees of different diameter classes and sites in the natural forest conditions. An eco-geographical survey of the populations of Quercus leucotrichophora was undertaken in jurisdiction of four districts of Himachal Pradesh, viz., Solan, Shimla, Kullu and Chamba areas to identify the sites where species occurs in abundance.