Abstract
Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a valuable plant resource of cold desert, occurring between 2500 to 4000 m amsl and bearing actinorhizal association. Frankia Strain isolation was done with section culture from three ecological areas viz. Lari, Shego and Lingthi. Growth of strain body protein was the highest in S3 (Lingthi) in comparison to other strains when grown on media with different sources of C & N. Average days to nodulation was 23 and extend of nodulation was also highest in S3 (96%). Growth of Seabuckthorn seedlings after nodulation was observed highest in isolated strains in comparsion to other strains used as strandards. Results show that Frankia has no clear infective specificity to Seabuckthorn. The study concluded that it is important to select strains with high infective ability and high nitrogen fixation activity. Lingthi ecological area has shown significant impact over other strains selected and isolated. Lingthi (S3) strain selected on river side plantation of Seabuckthron is recommeded for nodulation and symbiotic nitrogen fixation in the cold desert of Himachal Pradesh.
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