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Silvicultural performance of Eucalyptus grandis clones compared with donor trees

Aiming at evaluating the efficiency of initial selection of thirteen donor trees for Eucalyptus grandis cloning and their performance in a clonal test, the characteristics diameter (dap), total height (Ht), volume with bark, (V CC), volume without bark (V SC) and bark volume (V C) were assessed along with five "codominant" trees within a 10 m radius of the selected donor, to evaluate its superiority compared to their pairs. The silvicultural performance of these clones was evaluated at seven years of age in a clonal test arranged in randomized block design with three repetitions and a square plot of 25 plants, in a 3 X 2 spacing. Results showed that the superior Ht of donor tree compared to the "co-dominant" trees of the selection site is an important parameter for the initial selection of donor tress. Multivariate analyzes was efficient for placing donor plants in divergent groups, as well as for the classification of donor trees selected afterwards, within the groups defined by the Tocher method. There is a significant relationship among the characteristics used for the initial selection of donor trees and the performances of their clones in the final evaluation of the clonal test. These results allow the reduction in the number of genetic material to be evaluated, however, the tests are essential for the selection process, mainly because the genotype-environment interaction effects.

Forest improvement; clone selection; clonal test; multivariate analyses; clonal forestry


Sociedade de Investigações Florestais Universidade Federal de Viçosa, CEP: 36570-900 - Viçosa - Minas Gerais - Brazil, Tel: (55 31) 3612-3959 - Viçosa - MG - Brazil
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