Genetic variability studies for needle and wood traits were carried out for the different half sib progenies of Chir pine, raised in 1985 at the main campus of University. There existed a significant variation for these traits among the different half sib progenies, viz., needle length (18.1-24.6 cm), needle thickness (0.53-0.71 mm), number of stomata per mm of a row (7.3-12.0), specific gravity of wood (0.36-0.46), tracheid length (1.51-1.85) and moisture content of wood (47.76-58.81). This variability was found under genetic control, as all these progenies are growing under same environment, and are of same age. Traits having high heritability and genetic gain like, needle thickness, wood specific gravity, tracheid length and others, indicate high genetic control. This variability can be exploited in tree improvement programs through selection and breeding approaches for development of advanced generations. Correlation studies for different traits at genotypic and phenotypic levels provided the basic knowledge of association to chalk out efficient breeding strategy for higher productivity through indirect selection.

Willows being multipurpose species are well recognized in short rotation forestry world over. 200 clones of different species and hybrids were procured from twenty countries over the period of three years. These were subjected for nursery screening and further 18 promising clones were planted in March, 2006 at university main campus Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The five years growth performance was evaluated and clone J-799 has given maximum plant height (19.33 m) which is at par with the clone NZ-1140 (16.33 m) followed by SI-63-007 (14.30 m). As regards with diameter at breast height and volume index, clone J-799 registered first rank followed by NZ-1140 and 131/25 recording 16.50 cm and 0.554 m3, 15.30 cm and 0.386 m3 ;15.30cm and 0.368m3, respectively. Bole straightness was recorded maximum in clone J-795 that is at par with clones J-194, PN-721 and 131/25 followed by clones J-799, SI-63-007, NZ-1140 and SI-64-017. Heritability in broad sense for bole straightness (46.36%) and genetic gain of the volume index (67.95%) was found highest. Genotypic, phenotypic and environment coefficients of variations were recorded maximum (0.995) for volume index character. Genetic correlation coefficient was highest (0.921) between plant height and volume, while phenotypic correlation coefficient was highest between diameter at breast height and volume index. On the basis of five year growth performance, five clones namely J- 799, NZ-1140, 131/25, SI-63-007 and PN-731 are found suitable for lower and mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh

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