Comportamiento de clones de teca (Tectona grandis Linn) a los 4,5 años en Upala, Zona Norte de Costa Rica

Abstract

We assessed a clonal trial of Tectona grandis L., to observe the behavior of the clonal assay at 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 years of age, and find the best clones, to help increase their profitability in commercial plantations. The trial with 46 clones and two witnesses, was established in the 2012 in Upala, northern zone of Costa Rica, and was evaluated in the years 2015, 2016 and 2017. The genetic material came from the selection of trees plus made by GENFORES (Costa Rican cooperative of Conservation and forest genetic improvement). Two pairs per clone were planted, separated and randomly distributed within each block. In the measurement of 2015 and 2017, the diameter, commercial height and commercial volume per tree were assessed. The data were analyzed using the REML/BLUP procedure with the help of the software of the EMBRAPA, Brazil, for the estimation of the genetic parameters of the breeding population. All evaluated characters exhibited values of individual heritability superior to h2g > 0.246. Whereas the average heritability of the clone was superior to H2MC > 0.88. The Clones 30e, 9 x, 1 x and 11 were placed in the first positions of the ranking at the age of 4.5 years with respect to the diameter and commercial volume. The genetic correlations between the evaluated traits showed diameter is expressed stable from 3.5 years in this species. The expected genetic gain for the diameter if planted the 10 best clones of the genetic ranking was 11.5%, while for the commercial volume was 28%.