Abstract:
The present investigation was carried out to study the variation in morphological and
biochemical characters of different seabuckthorn (Hippophae salicifolia) populations
growing naturally in and around Harsil and Gangotri area of Uttarkashi district of
Uttaranchal, India. Plants showed varied morphology from shrub to tree, fruit shape
from round to ovate and fruit colour from greenish-yellow to yellow-orange. Number
of leaves per 10 cm running length of branch ranged from 10.83 to 29.83 and leaf area
from 2.28 to 9.35 cm2. Weight of 100 fruits varied from 11.53 to 18.87g, number of
fruits per 10 cm fruiting branch ranged from 10.69 to 99.40 and fruit yield of same
length of branch from 1.34 to 15.98 g. Acidity in juice calculated as citric acid varied
between 4.89 to 7.93 per cent and total soluble solids ranged between 6.93 to 10.0 °B.
Higher juice percentage was observed in this species as compared to H. rhamnoides
and the range was between 70.70 to 79.23 per cent. Based on the study, it is concluded
that wide variations exist in different populations of H. salicifolia growing in this region.
Intensive survey is required for the selection of some promising forms of H, salicifolia
in the region and other seabuckthorn growing regions of Garhwal Himalaya.
