Browsing by Author "Vijayakumar, N K"

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Agrobacterium -mediated genetic transformation in black pepper (Piper rigrum L.)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 2000) Homey Cheriyan; Vijayakumar, N K
Anatomical and physiological variations in certain selected species and provenances of Acacia
(Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2001) Santhosh Jacob; Vijayakumar, N K
An experiment was carried out during 1998-99 with the objective of evaluating the anatomical and physiological variations among provenances and species of Acacia and to correlate this with their growth characteristics. The experimental materials consisted of 11 provenances which included five provenances of Acacia mangium Willd., and two each of A. auriculiformis Cunn. ex., Benth., A. crassicarpa Cunn ex., Benth and A. aulacocarpa Cunn. ex., Benth. They were planted in a randomized block design in the farms of the College of Forestry, Vellanikkara in 1996. The ultimate objective of the study was to identify the most suitable species/provenances from among these for the ecoclirnatic conditions ofKerala. At four years of growth, provenances Balimo Aramia and Wipim to Oriomo from Papua New Guinea and Research Seed Orchard from Queensland were significantly superior to the rest. Among the four species, except A. aulacocarpa, the other three species namely, A. mangium, A. auriculiformis and A. crassicarpa showed superiority over height and collar girth. The most important component of total biomass undoubtedly, was the bole volume. So in this regard, the superiority of the species on height and collar girth indicates good volume production in future. A. auriculiformis exhibited superiority over branch production throughout the study, indicating its suitability for fire wood production. As far as leaf area is concerned the species exhibited significant . variation while, provenances did not. A. mangium and A. aulacocarpa showed maximum leaf area index, compared to A. auriculiformis and A. crassicarpa. Irrespective or the species, all the provenances showed- higher stomatal frequency on the lower leaf surface. Almost in all the provenances, transpiration late was increased from predawn to afternoon hours. Significant differences in the transpiration rate among the provenances and species was noticed between the predawn and afternoon hours only during the month of April. Transpiration rate and leaf water potential was negatively related in almost all the provenances. Provenances and species exhibited no significant difference with respect to leaf temperature. However, leaf temperature increased from predawn to afternoon in almost all the provenances. The provenance Balimo Aramia River of A. mangium as well as one each of A. auriculiformis and A. crassicarpa, namely, Orchard Melville and Bensbach WP registered the maximum heartwood percentage. The moisture content exhibited significant differences between the provenances. The specific gravity was maximum . for the provenance 7 KMSSE Mossman of A. auriculiformis while the minimum was shown by the provenance Kapal Oriomo of A. crassicarpa. Generally, provenances of A. mangium recorded higher specific gravity. The length of fiber was maximum for provenances orchard Melville - 1, NT and Kings Plain Lake, Queensland of A. auriculiformis while, minimum registered by the provenances of A. mangium. The maximum length and width for vessel, ray and. axial parenchyma was recorded by the provenances of A. mangium.
Clonal propagation of selected plus trees of Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb) through tissue culture
(College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 1995) Kannan, C S; Vijayakumar, N K
An investigation was carried out at College of Forestry, Vellanikkara during 1993 – 1995 on micropropagation of selected plus trees of Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia Roxb.) through tissue culture. Nodal or intermodal explants from the three selected plus trees as well as root suckers of one among them were used for the study. Explants from young (eight to ten year old) rosewood trees were also taken, in order to know the difference in culture response if any, between adult and juvenile plant materials. Prophylactic spraying with the mixture of Bavistin and Indofil M-45 given to young trees as well as root suckers or immersing the explants from the plus trees for one hour in the same fungicidal mixture coupled with surface sterilization of explants with 0.1 per cent mercuric chloride for 12 minutes could control culture contamination very effectively. Phenol problem was nil for young trees whereas treatments with ascorbic acid, citric acid and polyvinylpyrrolidone were essential to check browning of the cultures of explants from plus trees as well as root suckers. Woody plant medium supplemented with 1.0 mg 1-1 kinetin along with 0.1 mg 1-1 IAA was the best combination for young trees whereas addition of 2.0 mg 1-1 BA to MS medium proved to be better than the others, in case of plus trees. While in vitro propagation using explants from young trees of rosewood could be achieved and plantlets could be regenerated with cent per cent repeatability, micropropagation of the selected plus trees of rosewood faced with many obstacles. Though bud break and shoot morphogenesis was noticed in some of the media combinations tried with BA, kinetin and 2-ip alone or along with IAA or NAA, none of them could improve the problem of lack of multiple shoot formation or leaf expansion. Adenine sulphate, casein hydrolysate, cycocel, phloroglucinol, coconut water and activated charcoal were found to have no significant beneficial effect on culture of plus trees of rosewood. However, L-glutamine added to the medium at higher concentrations was found preventing precocious drop of leaf initials. In vitro rooting was achieved by resorting to a pulse treatment of the shoots with IBA (1000 mg 1-1) and culturing them in half strength MS medium containing 1.0 per cent activated charcoal and hardening and planting out of the plantlets was also carried out for young trees. Rooting trial was a failure with plus trees as well as root suckers. Callus cultures were successfully initiated from intenodal segments from root suckers. Shoot regeneration was noticed in 14.3 per cent of these cultures. However, leaf expansion or multiple shoot formation could not be obtained. The study clearly portrays the difference in culture response between juvenile and adult explants from Dalbergia latifolia.
Combining ability in pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan [L.] millsp)
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1996) Achamma Oommen; Namboodiri, K M N; Vijayakumar, N K
Even though both additive and nonadditive gene effects were found to be important in the expression of the characters studied, the additive gene effects were having more influence than nonadditive gene effects. Number of primary branches was determined by additive and nonadditive genes, whereas number of secondary branches was influenced by additive genes. All the other nine characters were determined by additive genes. Among the five parents studied, PLA 550 was the best general combiner and among the crosses UPAS 120 x 1C 15708 was having good sea for all the characters.
Cytotoxic and clastogenic effects of some insecticides in allium cepa, L
(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1983) Jayaprakash Naik, B; Vijayakumar, N K
In the present investigation, the cytotoxic and clastogenic effects of three very commonly used insecticides, namely, aldrin, carbofuran and phorate were tested in Allium cepa, L., a test system. Four concentrations of each insecticides were used for the study. These concentrations were fixed taking into consideration of their field dose of application in insect control. The treatment periods fixed were 12, 24 and 48 hours. The mitotic index was computed from 4000 cells and indices of each division phases were also computed. The chromosome abnormalities were scored from about 100 to 150 cells of each phases in each treatments. Aldrin was found to be drastically mitodepressive compared to carbofuran and phorate. While phorate increased mitotic index in the lowest dose, carbofuran showed only marginal reduction. However, both the compounds reduced mitotic index in higher doses and the field doses. Aldrin exhibited a dose and period responsiveness, while carbofuran and phorate could not with regard to mitotic index. The study also revealed that aldrin is an effective toxicant on both genetic material and proteins. The various chromosome abnormalities noticed were stickiness, bridges, laggards, blurred chromosome borders, chromatin bridge, micronuclei, non-orientation of metaphase, precocious movement in anaphase, chromatin bodies, irregular anaphase, star metaphase, strays, beaked nuclei, break, C-metaphase and unequal nuclei in their decreasing order of occurrence. Unlike aldrin, carbofuran and phorate could not induce anomalies to a significant level in the lowest doses tried, 0.0075 and 0.02 per cent respectively. Chromosome bridge being the most frequent abnormality found in carbofuran, which was followed by stickiness and laggards. The frequency of abnormalities found in field and higher doses were more or less same. Phorate, on the other hand showed linear relationship in inducing chromotoxicities with respect to concentrations and period of treatment. The major types of abnormalities recorded were bridges, breaks and stickiness. The results showed that all the insecticides tried were capable of affecting the genetic material as well as protein, but to different degrees depending on concentrations. It can be tentatively concluded that they cannot be considered completely safe at the field dose of application on the cellular constituents of the organism. The results call for extensive testing of these chemicals in other test systems also.
Evaluation of seed source variation and clonal propagation techniqes in Jatropha curcas linn.
(Department of Tree Physiology and Forestry, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2007) Anisha Kalkoor, M; Vijayakumar, N K
A study was conducted in College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, Trichur, during the period 2005-2007 to evaluate different seed sources Jatropha curcas, a potential source of producing biodiesel for their genetic variation and to standardize efficient clonal propagation techniques. The study involved the evaluation of seed sources for their seed and seedling parameters as well as field performance of the plants. Attempts were made to standardize of macro and micro propagation techniques for the multiplication of elite genotypes. The material used for the evaluation consisted of different seed sources from various parts of Kerala and Karnataka. Although the variation among the seed sources for most of the seedling characters in the nursery was found non significant, a considerable variation was observed among them in their field performance. Considerable variation was also noticed for the seed parameters such as length, width, 100 seed weight, germination percentage, kernel: seed weight ratio and seed oil content. None of the seed sources excelled for all the characters studied. Among the different seed sources three seed sources viz., Kasargod, KAU and Palakkad seed sources were found to be superior in terms of most of the characters studied. Standardization of rooting of cuttings was attempted with 10 and 20 cm cuttings taken from semi-hardwood and softwood parts of the stem. Three levels each of IAA, IBA and NAA were used for evaluating their efficiency for rooting as well as shoot formation in the stem cuttings. Effect of these hormones on the shoot parameter was found less significant. However, highest sprouting was recorded in IAA 100 ppm where as IAA 250 ppm recorded highest number of shoots. Almost all the root characters were found to be greatly influenced by growth hormones. The semi-hardwood cuttings were found superior to the soft wood cuttings while, the 20 cm cuttings were found better than 10 cm cuttings with respect to most of the characters studied. Clonal propagation of Jatropha curcas was attempted by micro propagation through tissue culture using nodal segments as explants. Among the three basal media tried viz., MS, WPM and B5 medium, MS was found to be better in terms of bud, leaf and shoot initiation. The culture establishment was greatly influenced by the season of culturing. All explants cultured during the rainy season were got contaminated. A fungicidal dip in 0.2 per cent Bavistin (Carbendazim) and Indofil M- 45 (Mancozeb) for 1 hour followed by 15 minute dip in 0.1 per cent HgCl2 was the most effective surface sterilization procedure. Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 1.0 mg l-1 kin was found to be the best medium for shoot production. Highest average number of leaves (3.47), maximum number of leaves (8.67) and maximum shoot length was observed in this medium. The synergistic effect of BA and kin in MS medium was found to be better than supplementing them individually especially for the enhanced release of axillary buds. The treatment MS+0.5 mg l-1BA+1.0 mg l-1 kin was found to be the best treatment combination to get highest shoot initiation.
Genetic analysis of yield attributes in Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.)
(Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1993) Homey Cheriyan; Vijayakumar, N K
Genetic analysis of yield attributes in cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) was undertaken in the Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Trichur during 1992-93, with an objective to assess the extent of variability present in the population and to get an insight into the genetic behaviour and mode of inheritance of yield and the different yield attributes in cocoa. A total of 244 steady bearing trees consisting of 19 hybrids and 15 parents were taken for the study. Observations were recorded on 16 characters including yield and yield attributes. Statistical analysis of the data led to the following conclusions. Variability in most of the characters followed the same trend in both the hybrid and the parent populations.
Identification of stable male sterile lines and better combiners for exploitation of hybrid vigour in rice (Oryza Sativa L.)
(Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, 1998) Rosamma, C A; Vijayakumar, N K
Investigations to identify stable male sterile lines and better combiners for the exploitation of hybrid vigour in rice were conducted at College of Horticulture, Vetlantkkara and at Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy during 1994-98. The study included evaluation of cytoplasmic - genic male sterile (CMS) lines to identify stable lines, identification of maintainers and restorers for different CMS lines, inheritance of fertility restoration, studies on the genetic distance between maintainers and restorers and genetic analysis of the hybrids. Out of the ten CMS lines evaluated, seven were identified as stable for pollen and spikelet sterility behaviour. Studies on the floral traits which influence outcrossing expressed variation between CMS lines and between seasons. Jyothi, Aruna, Pavizham and Ptb 10 produced more number of sterile hybrids when crossed with CMS lines having WA cytoplasm and hence these varieties can be used as maintainers. More number of fertile hybrid combinations were produced by Annapoorna, Matta Triveni, Kanchana, IR 36 and Aiswarya indicating the use of these varieties as restorers for WA cytoplasmic source. All the genotypes under study produced sterile hybrids when crossed with CMS lines having O. perennis cytoplasm and no restorers could be identified for this new source of cytoplasmic male sterility. Inheritance studies on fertility restoration indicated polygenic mode of inheritance for this particular character. Forty four rice genotypes included in the hybrid rice breeding programme were grouped into nine clusters, each having different number of genotypes. Maintainers and restorers were distributed in different clusters and no direct relation could be established between heterosis and genetic distance of the parents. Genetic analysis of the 34 fertile hybrids resulted in the identification of five hybrids having significant positive standard heterosis. Among the male sterile lines IR 68890A was identified as the best combiner for most of the agronomic traits and IR 68890A/Aiswarya was the best specific hybrid combination. Magnitude of the gca variance was more than the variance due to sca for days to flowering, total duration, harvest index, 100 seed weight and other grain characters indicating predominance of additive variance for these characters. Variance due to sca was more for plant height, tillers per plant, total dry matter production, grain yield per plant, straw yield per plant, panicle length and filled grains per panicle indicating predornlnance of variance due to dominance and epistasis. Studies on association of characters in hybrids revealed that total drymatter accumulation, harvest index, number of filled grains per panicle, grain breadth, panicle weight, grain density, flag leaf area and leaf area index at 60 days after sowing were positively correlated with grain yield produced by the hybrids. Negative influence of sterile cytoplasm was identified for most of the agronomic attributes.
In vitro propagation of ailanthus triphysa (Dennst.)
(Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 1999) Natesha, S R; Vijayakumar, N K
In vitro propagation of dalbergia latifolia roxb. through tissue culture
(Department of Forestry, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 1992) Khages Chandra Mahato; Vijayakumar, N K
In investigations carried out in the College of Forestry, Vellanikkara during 1989 – 92, it was found that nodal segments of 1.5 cm length were ideal as the explants. Prophylactic spraying of the mother tree with the systemic fungicides Bavistin and the contact fungicide Dithane M-45 coupled with surface sterilization of explants with mercuric chloride 0.1 per cent for 12 minutes fully controlled contamination of the culture. Both woody plant medium (WPM) and Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium were found to be suitable for the primary culture establishment from the explants. While WPM supplemented with kinetin 1.0 ppm and IAA 0.1 ppm was most suitable for inducing healthy single shoots in about 80 per cent of the explants, MS along with BA 2.0 ppm or BA 0.25 ppm and CH 1000 mg 1-1 induced maximum number of multiple shoots (up to 25). Among the various media supplements tested, adenine sulphate was found to be capable of inducing multiple shoots and CH increased the rate of shoot multiplication. Coconut water did not show any beneficial effects. Liquid cultures with shaking at initial periods prolonged the life of the primary culture up to six months with continuous production of shoots. Continuous culture was developed using nodal segments of shoots derived from the primary cultures. The most suitable medium for this was found to be MS supplemented with kinetin and BA 0.5 ppm each. The best in vitro rooting was achieved by resorting to a pulse treatment of the shoots with IBA (1000 ppm) and culturing them in vermiculite + sand medium. Up to 100 per cent rooting could be achieved by this method. In vivo rooting was obtained by transferring the shoots after IBA treatment to vermiculite under high humidity conditions. Planting out and hardening of the in vitro rooted plantlets was carried out in soilrite. Up to 90 per cent survival could be achieved. The hardened plantlets were acclimatized in polythene bags with ordinary potting mixture and after 16 weeks they were field planted. The cost of production of one plantlet including hardening was worked out to Rs. 4.47.
In vitro propagation of malabar white pine (Vateria indica L.) through tissue culture
(Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara., 1994) Ashok B Divatar; Vijayakumar, N K
The present investigation was carried out at the Department of Tree Physiology and Breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, during 1992-94, to standardise the in vitro technique for multiplying Vateria indica which is commonly known as Malabar white pine. This being the first attempt of micropropagation in this tree species, the methodology was to be standardised from the initial stage itself. Nodal and intermodal segments as well as leaf segments collected from seedling maintained in the College of Forestry were used as explants. Different routes like enhanced release of axillary buds, organogenesis and embryogenesis were attempted for this species. It was found that nodal segments of size 0.5 to 1.5 cm was ideal as the explants. Prophylactic spray of seedlings with a mixture of Bavistin and Indofil M-45 combined with surface sterilization of explants with 0.1 per cent mercuric chloride for 5 minutes for nodal explants and 4 minutes for leaf explants, could control culture contamination to the greatest extent. Seasonal variation was observed for the fungal interference and the period from February to May was identified as the best season for establishing the cultures of Vateria indica. Half strength MS medium was noted to be suitable for primary culture establishment for both nodal and leaf segments. Out of the various growth regulator combinations tried for bud break and shoot elongation in vateria, 2-ip and IBA could support bud break and shoot production. Among the various media additives tried, CCC had less effect on bud break in half MS medium and silver nitrate had moderate effect on bud break in WPM medium. Casein hydrolysate, adenine sulphate, cobalt chloride and coconut water were the other additives, tried without having any beneficial effect on bud culture of Malabar white pine. Moderate callusing could be induced from leaf and intermodal segments on MS and half strength MS media supplemented with growth regulators 2-ip + 2,4-D (in MS media) and 2-ip + IBA (in half strength MS) with a callus index ranging from 35.7 to 100.0 The calli did not respond to organogenesis but growth units of callus were obtained. The morphology and growth rate varied according to the growth regulator combinations tried. The results of the present study being first of its kind in Vateria indica would have significance to disentangle the in vitro response of this species for micropropagation. Since this species is recalcitrant in nature, much more regulated efforts are to be made for standardising the protocol for micropropagation of Vateria indica.
In vitro shoot regeneration from axillary bud cultures of malabar white pine (Vateria indica L.) through tissue culture
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1997) Ashok B Devatar; Vijayakumar, N K
Axillary buds collected from seedlings of Veteria Mica L., the recalcitrant Malabar white pine, were cultured under in vitro conditions with the objective of standardising the micropropagation technique for this species. A few media combinations consisting of full and half strength mineral salts of Murashige and Skoog (MS) as well as woody plant medium (WPM) have been identified to be capable of supporting culture establishment and bad break. Among these, the media containing half strength mineral salts of MS supplemented with organic nutrients and growth regulators alone supported elongation and continued growth of shoots. Shoots were 1-2 cm in height with 2-3 leaves in eight weeks under controlled conditions with 16 h photoperiod at a temperature of 27+2" C. The success obtained is the first of this kind in this species.
Influence of split application of P and K on direct seeded semi-dry viruppu rice
(Kerala Agricultural University, 1987) Ramankutty, N N; Vijayakumar, N K
Karyomorphology and isoenzyme variation in certain acacia species
(Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara., 1998) Mohamed Zainul Abideen, K A; Vijayakumar, N K
study was conducted at the College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, Trichur on karyomorphology and isoenzyme variations of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex. Benth. A. mangium Willd., A. ferruginea DC and A. nilotica Willd. ex. Del during 1996 to 1997. For karyomorphological studies, the cytological technique using root tip squash method was standardised employing various pre-treatment chemicals, fixatives and stains. The roots pre-treated in 0.03 per cent 8-hydroxyquinoline for one hour at room temperature were subjected to fixation in Carnoy's B fluid (6:3:1, ethanol: acetic acid : chloroform) for 24 hours. Subsequently, the roots were hydrolysed in , 1 N HCI at 60°C for a duration of three minutes in case of A. nilotica and A. auriculiformis and four minutes in case of A. mangium and A. ferruginea. the roots were then stained in 1.0 per cent aceto orcein for five hours. After that slides were prepared and examined for mitotic chromosomes. From mitotic index prepared, the rate of cell division was found to be at peak between 9.00 am and 10.00 am in all the species. The study has revealed that A. mangium and A. auriculiformis possessed 2n=26 chromosomes, while A. nilotica carried 2n=52 chromosomes. A. ferruginea, the species for which the chromosome studies conducted for the first time also found to carry 2n=26 chromosomes. The chromosome lengths were measured using camera lucida drawings. The chromosome of A. auriculiformis and A. mangium - acacias of Australian origin - are relatively larger compared to that of A. nilotica and A. ferruginea - acacias of Indian subcontinent. The chromosome length of former two species ranged between 0.75 urn to 1.61 urn and 0 .. 67 urn to 2.60 urn, respectively. The average chromosome length of A. mangium was 1.30 urn while that of A. auriculiformis was 1.16 urn. The chromosome length of A. nilotica ranged between 0.51 urn to 1.25 urn with an average length of 0.79 urn. In case of A. ferruginea, the chromosome length. ranged from 0.56 to 1.44 urn and average length was 0.92 urn. Idiogram have been constructed for all the species based on absolute and relative chromosome length. The two isoenzyme systems, namely, esterase and glutamate oxaloacetate ,transminase (GOT) were analysed using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both isoenzymes together produced seven bands with three for esterase and four for GOT. The bands Est-3 (Rm = 0.50) and GOT-3 (Rm = 0.26) were present in A. mangium as well as in A. auriculiformis this indicate presence of similar type of monomorphic gene loci for both enzymes systems in this two species, while the rest of the isoenzyme bands showed variation in their mobility. From the cytological and isoenzyme studies, it is suggested that A. auriculiformis and A. mangium are genetically related where as A. ferruginea and A. nilotica are distinctly different.
Micropropagation and evaluation of azadirachtin production in the plantlets of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss)
(Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2003) Roshini, A J; Vijayakumar, N K
Micropropagation of teak (Tectona grandis Linn.) through in vitro techniques
(Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2000) Sandeep Sharma; Vijayakumar, N K
Provenance evaluation in the seedling characters of neem (Azadirachta Indica A. Juss)
(Department of tree physiology and breeding, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara., 1997) Vinod, S; Vijayakumar, N K
A study was conducted at College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, Trichur on provenance evaluation in the seedling characters of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) for a period of one year from 1995 to 1996. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomised design. A total of eight provenances were used in this study they are Dindigul, Nagarcoil, Coimbatore, Trichur, Srivelliputhur, Palghat, Ghatti Subramanya and Molakalmur. In respect of various seed characters studied Nagarcoil was the best performer in characters like 100 seed weight, seed breadth and germination percentage. Trichur was the best performer in seed length and seed length breadth ratio and Srivelliputhur was the best performer in thickness of pericarp. In terms of various seedling characters studied Coimbatore was the best performer in height, leaf number, leaf area, stem dry weight, leaf dry weight, and shoot dry weight. Palghat provenance was superior with respect to root dry weight, and root shoot ratio; Nagarcoil was the best in terms of collar girth and Dindigul in total dry weight. Nevertheless, Coimbatore provenance was found to be the best performer in most of the seedling character studied. Isozyme banding pattern for peroxidase showed two bands PRX-1 and PRX-3 in common. Eight provenances were grouped in to two based on the presence or absence of PRX-2. No significant variation was observed in terms of chlorophyll - A, Band total chlorophyll content between provenances. Number of stomata per square centimetre was maximum in Coimbatore provenance. For the genetic characters studied 100 seed weight and germination percentage recorded maximum GCV and PCV for seed characters and shoot weight and shoot root ratio for seedling characters. Maximum heritability and genetic gain were recorded in germination percentage and height and collar girth in seedling characters. Application of Mahalanobis' D2 statistics and Tocher's method of clustering resolved eight provenances in to four distinct clusters. Cluster I comprising of three provenances (Dindigul, Palakkadu and Ghatti Subramanya). Cluster II comprising of only one cluster (Coimbatore), cluster III comprising of again only one cluster (Molakalmur) and cluster IV comprising of three provenances (Nagarcoil, Trichur and Srivelliputhur). Incidence of pests was not noticed during the entire period of investigation. All provenances were found affected by sooty mold caused by Capnodium sp. during the rainy seasons with out affecting the growth of the seedlings.