Interaction between flowering pattern and latex yield in Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.
K O Omokhafe
The interaction between flowering and latex yield was evaluated in 10 clones of Hevea brasiliensis to determine clonal stability across tapping seasons. The clones, consisting of seven clones developed in Nigeria and three imported clones, were evaluated for latex yield in three seasons according to the flowering pattern of Hevea trees. Latex yield data collected in five years were evaluated for clonal variation and stability using analysis of variance and five stability parameters. There was significant variation of latex yield across seasons, clones, and interaction of clone x season. Three Nigerian clones (NIG 800, NIG 803, and NIG 804) surpassed the imported clones in latex yield. Three clones (NIG 802, NIG 805 and RRIC 45) were stable across the three seasons and could serve as donor parents for stability genes.