Growth Performance of Different Provenance of Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) in Central India

Abstract

Pongamia pinnata (L.) is commonly known as Karanj is a moderate-sized evergreen tree and bark is smooth, gray and thin. Pongamia starts flowering from 4th to 7th year of planting/germination.  White and purplish flowers in auxiliary racemes appear in March-May and the pods ripen from December-March in the following year. The present study evaluates the growth Performance of different provenances of Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) in Central India. The investigation was conducted in different provenances of Pongamia pinnata from the various agro-climatic zones of Madhya Pradesh. Pongamia pinnata (L.) is a deciduous tree species and one of the widely available trees found in the Madhya Pradesh. Studying about this particular provenance is valuable in various aspects, particularly estimating the carbon sequestration potential and extraction of biodiesel from the seed of this tree to be an input for the climate change mitigation activities taking place in India and in the world at large, since climate change is a worldwide issue.  Significantly tall trees were observed in provenance T13 i.e., Nagod Road, Satna (5.72 m), followed by T3 i.e., Bahoripar, Bargi, Jabalpur (5.39 m), T16 i.e., TFRI, Garden Jabalpur (5.20 m), T5 TFRI, Gaur River, Jabalpur (5.09 m), T7 i.e., Cantt area, Jabalpur, while provenance T21 i.e., KVK, Seoni (3.98 m) recorded shorter trees. The results highlight the importance of selecting genetically superior and site-adapted provenances to maximise productivity. Provenance T13 and other high-performing sources emerge as promising candidates for plantation establishment, genetic improvement programs, and large-scale reforestation initiatives.