Growth Performance of Clones Evolved by Ortet Selection of Rubber (Hevea Brasiliensis) in Dry Sub Humid Climate of Odisha

B. Krishan

Regional Research Station, RRII, Dhenkanal, Odisha, India.

Corresponding Author Email: drbkrishan@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.8.1.09

Abstract:

Need of more land for natural rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) cultivation expansion in India to non-traditional areas has entail the selection of clones suitable to warm dry climatic conditions of Odisha. The state is a nontradional rubber growing region and the rubber tree undergo severe drought in the summer months. Prolonged high temperature, low eratic rainfall and soil moisture are the major environmental limitations affecting the performance of rubber in the region. The natural rubber early growth performance of 10 ortet clones namely O 1 to O 10 and 5 modern clones RRII 105, RRII 208, RRIM 600, SCATC 93-14 and IRCA 111 were evaluated. The 10 ortet clones have been evolved from the elite tree selection among the polycross seedling populations established at the Regional Research Station of Rubber Research Institute of India in Dhenkanal, Odisha state. The 10 elite trees were cloned and such 10 cloned evolve from ortet selection have evaluated for their early growth in terms of girth and other morphological traits. Girth at 5^th year of planting of the ortet clones OR 8 and OR 4 were higher than that of the check modern clones RRII 105, RRII 208, RRIM 600, SCATC 93-14 and IRCA 111. A good annual girth increment was also recorded in OR 8 and OR 5 and comparable to modern clones. Lower first branching height at 2.4 m and less number of branches 2.1 also recorded among ortet clones as compared to modern clones as desired for better clone selection and further tree improvement aspects. The present study at immature stage suggests scope of selection of promising local ortet clones from polycross seedlings suited to the sub optimal environment.

Keywords:

Growth; Girth; Clones; Dry Sub Humid Climate; Hevea Brasiliensis

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