Vigor assessment of juvenile rubber tree clones in Northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil

Besides rubber production, one of the main goals genetic improvement tree [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell. Arg.] is to develop vigorous clones. The objective present study was evaluate vigor 34 elite juvenile To this end, three experiments were conducted in municipality Pontes Gestal, northwest region São Paulo State. Each experiment consisted 10 treatments, and 2 controls common 3 experiments. arranged randomized block design, with replications ten plants per plot, 8 m x 2.5 spacing. Individual joint analyses variance performed. means compared using Dunnett test at 5%. Significant effect treatments found analysis. most clones not different from comparison by individual analyses. less statistically others controls, reflecting difference variability observed. breeding program must consider lack between when recombining superior clones, since gain depends on variability.