Heritability of Yield and Secondary Traits in two populations of Para Rubber Tree ( Hevea brasiliensis )

Heritability and interactions of yield and growth traits were assessed in Hevea brasiliensis using full-sib progenies and clonal populations. Using parent-offspring regression, annual mean rubber yield (ARY) and summer yield (SY) showed moderate to high heritability (ARY, h2 =34–56%; SY, h2 =36–52%). Among the yield components, girth exhibited low to moderate heritability (h2 =17–36%) while branching height showed low heritability (h2 =18%). Using forty clonal genotypes, annual mean rubber yield (H2 =48%), rubber yield during peak period (H2 =47%) and rubber yield during stress (or summer yield) (H2 =44%) showed high estimates of heritability. Among the other yield components, except volume of latex during stress period (H2 =40%), remaining yield components showed moderate estimates for heritability (H2 =29–37%). Dry rubber content (DRC) based on annual mean showed very high heritability (H2 =68%), followed by DRC during stress (H2 =51%) and peak (H2 =50%) periods. Latex flow rate based on annual mean and peak period data showed high heritability (H2 =51%) followed by latex flow rate during stress period (H2 =42%). Plugging indices of annual and Heritability of Yield and Secondary Traits in two populations of Para Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis) By C. NARAYANAN*) and KAVITHA K. MYDIN (Received 4th May 2010) *) Corresponding author: C. NARAYANAN. Crop Improvement Group, Botany Division, Rubber Research Institute of India, India. Ph: +91-481-2353311, Fax: +91-481-2353327. E-Mail: [email protected]