Variations in Nursery Seedlings Growth Performance of Azadirachta Indica Provenances in Sudan

Abstract

The main aim of the present work was to assess the variation of the neem provenances and their extended areas and the adaptation to the different eco-climatic conditions in its occurrences in Sudan. The specific objective was to study the variation in seedlings growth performance among seven neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) provenances western, central and eastern parts of the country. The experiment was performed to fulfill the objectives of the study. The experiment was conducted at the lab of the nursery of the Regional Tree Seed Center, Elobied Sudan. The experiment investigated was conducted in seedling growth in nursery pots using Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five replicates for seedling parameters measurement (root collar diameter,  shoot  length,  root length, root fresh weight,  number  of leaves, leaf  area, shoot/root length ratio, root dry weight, root fresh weight). The obtained data from the experiment was analyzed using analysis of variance and SAS software version 6.12. and the means were separated using Duncan New Multiple Range Test. The provenances showed high significant (p<0.0001) in growth performance (root collar diameter), however, there is no significant in leaf area among the provenances. Elfasher provenance showed significant (p<0.0001) in the seedling parameters (root length and leaf area), while Senga provenance is significant only with seedlings length. It is concluded that a multi site field provenance trial is required for more useful information about the studied seed sources for the eco-climatological adaptations. In this study it was clear found that the neem tree in Sudan, although it is generated from one tree (in Shambat), it established in different provenances in various geographical locations and ecotype over Sudan, due to its adaptation ability.