ABSTRACT
Clones of rubber-tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell. Arg.] have achieved the highest yields of rubber in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and vigor of 14 rubber-tree clones cultivated in the region of Votuporanga and determine changes in the trend of annual correlation to examine the possibility of an early selection based on the studied characters. The yield of rubber was evaluated in the 1/2S d/4 5d/7 11m/y ET 2,5% tapping system, for a period of eight years. Vigor was also examined by measuring the girth for 16 years. The clones IRCA 111 and PB 235 showed the best yield performance. The best results of vigor, was achieves by clones IAC 15 and IAC 44. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were significant and positive for all production years. The significance of the genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients of vigor differed in the pre and post-tapping periods. Considering the rubber production found, the clones IRCA 111 and PB 235 can be recommended for small scale cultivation in the region of Votuporanga. The results showed that is possible to make an early selection for yield character, using the data obtained in the first year of evaluation. Because of the differences found in pre and post-tapping, it is not advisable to make an early selection for vigor in the pre-tapping period.
Keywords:
Hevea brasiliensis; Pearson Correlation; Rubber Yield; Vigor.
