Influence of levels of genetic diversity on fruit quality in teak (Tectona grandis L.f.)

The study on the influence of genetic diversity on the fruit emptiness and seed germination (as a measure of fruit quality) of teak populations was carried out. The populations comprised three unimproved plantations, three seed-production areas and a clonal seed orchard within Karnataka. Significant variation between the populations was observed for fruit emptiness, seed germination and Jaccard's dissimilarity index of the parent population. Genetic dissimilarity of popula tions was positively correlated to fruit emptiness and negatively correlated to seed germination. It is in ferred that higher genetic dissimilarity of individuals within the population results in higher flower asyn chrony and close-related mating, thereby leading to higher inbreeding depression manifested in the form of higher emptiness and low germination percent