Variation in phenol, electrical conductivity, and sugar contents in Grewia oppositifolia Roxb.

Abstract

We estimated variation in the allocation of metabolites (phenol, sugar, and electrical conductance) in seed, fruit and seedling leachates of 25 populations of Grewia. oppositifolia. Higher quantity of phenolics and higher electrical conductance were observed in plants from lower-middle altitudes but this was not correlated significantly with germination, survival, or plant height. On the other hand, sugar content in fruit pulp leachates was greatest in higher elevational populations and these sources also recorded higher germination, survival, and plant height under nursery conditions. Thus we recommend that germplasm (seed) should be collected from moderately higher elevational sources for nursery as well as future breeding strategies of this potential agroforestry tree crop of the central Himalaya.

Keywords

Grewia oppositifolia / phenol / electrical conductivity / sugar / seed / seedling / Garhwal Himalaya