An Analysis of the Correlation between Physiochemical Characteristics of Soil and the Morphological Characteristics of Grewia optiva Drummond in the Northwestern Himalayan Region

Continued research on the physiochemical properties of soil is critical for the long-term maintenance of cropping systems, (including trees), in order to harness their economic benefits. The current study was carried out in the Department of Tree Improvement and Genetic Resources, COF, Nauni, Solan (H.P.) during the period 2020-2023 to quantify the impact of soil nutrient variation on the morphological characteristics of Grewia optiva Drummond in different districts with variable climate and heterogeneous soils. The impacts on growth parameters (tree height, crown spread, leaf traits) of selected populations of Grewia optiva Drummond statistically analyzed using Karl Pearson correlation coefficient. Two composite soil samples representative of the different populations were drawn from the two depths i.e., 0-15 cm (surface layer) and 15-30 cm (subsurface layer). These samples were collected underneath the selected populations of Grewia optiva Drummond. The collected soil samples were tested using standard soil methods and results were analysed using OPSTAT software. There was highly positive correlation observed between leaf area and soil N (0.509), leaf area and SOC (0.407), leaf area and soil P (0.728) and leaf area and soil K (0.577). Leaf length showed a highly significant correlation with SOC (0.401), soil N (0.509), soil P (0.710), and soil K (0.592). The tree height (0.385), tree diameter (0.602), crown spread (N-S) (0.629), crown spread (E-W) (0.334), branch nodal length (0.436) and leaf width (0.470) showed a significant positive correlation with soil P. Soil K showed a significant positive correlation with tree height (0.774), tree diameter (0.645), crown spread (N-S) (0.576), crown spread (E-W) (0.314), branch nodal length (0.737) and leaf width (0.592). Soil pH demonstrated highly significant correlation with Leaf width (0.449). The correlation developed between tree morphological and soil characteristics will help in quantify the impact of different soil characteristics on tree and leaf morphometric characteristics. It will further help in identification and selection of superior genotypes of Grewia optiva for further propagation to get improved genetic gain and for production of quality planting material.