Clonal differences in growth parameters of young Hevea buddings and their relation to field performance

Abstract

Hevea trees when tapped exhibited a depression of girth increment and canopy growth. Hence a high growth rate is required to maintain the growth whilst giving a high yield. Growth parameters of 5 Hevea clonal buddings were determined after different growth intervals viz., 3, 6 , 9, and 12 months to study the correlation they show with the field performance of the same clones. Clonal differences were significant, but did not necessarily correlate with the field performance. Growth rates gradually increased with age during the peeriod of investigatiion. Thepossibility of using growth parameters together with gas exchange capacities determinedin earlier studies in predicting later field performance are discussed.