The present investigation aims to assess the extent of variation existing among half sib progenies of Ulmus villosa Brandis for seedling growth and biomass traits and selection of the best mother tree for future afforestation programs in Kashmir. Seeds were collected from 15 mother trees across five districts of Kashmir: Anantnag, Pulwama, Budgam, Kulgam and Srinagar and were grown under open nursery conditions. Significant variations were observed among all the progenies for all growth and biomass characteristics. On the basis of performance progenies of Bijbehara-Anantnag exhibited superior performance for growth and biomass characteristics such as seedling height (32.20 cm), collar diameter (10.20 cm), total leaf area per plant (20.10 cm²), root length (12.01 cm), number of branches (25.00), number of leaves (48.66), plant percent (85.47%), survival percentage (81.32), sturdiness quotient (4.95) and Dickson’s quality index (0.94). Biomass analysis indicated that Bijbehara-Anantnag also yielded the highest fresh shoot weight (22.42 g) and dry shoot weight (11.46 g) and fresh root weight (9.86 g) and dry root weight (5.50 g). Genetic analysis indicated moderate to high heritability and positive correlations between seedling and biomass characteristics, highlighting the influence of both environmental and genetic factors. These findings provide valuable insights into the selection of superior mother tree for seed collection, paving the way for tree improvement programs, sustainable propagation, and conservation efforts for this important tree species

Ulmus villosa, half-sib progeny, variability, Kashmir

The current study is first of its kind about the source variation in seedling and biomass traits of Ulmus villosa Brandis in Kashmir. The findings of our study indicate substantial variation in seedling, biomass, and genetic traits among half-sib progenies of Ulmus villosa. Progenies derived from seeds collected at the Bijbehara-Anantnag site demonstrated exceptional performance across multiple key traits, such as seedling height, collar diameter, leaf area, root length, number of branches and leaves, plant percentage, and survival rate. Sturdiness quotient and Dickson’s quality index were highest in Bijbehara- Anantnag, indicating robust seedling vigor and quality. Biomass analysis further confirmed the superiority of Bijbehara-Anantnag in terms of fresh shoot weight, dry shoot weight, fresh root weight, and dry root weight. Phenotypic and genotypic variances, along with heritability estimates, varied significantly among traits, with root shoot ratio exhibiting the highest coefficient of variation. High genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), combined with significant genetic advance suggests that selecting superior individuals at a 5% selection intensity could lead to substantial genetic gains. Seedling height, fresh shoot weight, and leaf area per plant showed the highest heritability, indicating substantial genetic control over these traits. Notable genetic advances were observed in root vigor index, while Dickson’s quality index demonstrated minimal genetic gain. Strong positive correlations between seedling growth traits and biomass underscored their importance in selection programs. Hence, it is concluded that the Bijbehara-Anantnag site represents the most promising source of germplasm for future afforestation initiatives

Mubariz Mehak, Ashfaq A. Mir, P.A. Khan, M.M. Rather, M.I. Jeelani and M.A. Islam (2025). Variability Studies in Seedling Growth and Biomass Characteristics in Half-sib Progenies of Ulmus villosa Brandis in Kashmir. Biological Forum, 17(6): 136-144