PRODUCTION MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS RELATIONSHIP IN RUBBER TREE PROGENIES

The objective of this study was to estimate the genotypic, phenotypic and environmental correlation coefficients in 22 half-sib progenies of rubber trees [Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Mull. Arg. ]. The studied characters were: dry matter yield (PBS), girth perimete r (CC), petiole length (CP), petiole index (IP), leaflet length (CF), leaflet diameter (DF), leaflet length (CF), leaflet width (LF), leaf a rea (AF), foliar index (IF). The trial was placed at Experimental Stat ion of Votuporanga (Sao Paulo State - Brazil) under randomized complet e blocks design with five replicates and ten plants per plot. The resu lts indicated significative differences for all studied characters. Hi gh coefficients of correlation were found. For most of the characters the genotypic correlations were higher than the phenotypic ones, indic ating large influence of genetic than the environmental components of the correlations. The estimates values of genetic correlations among P BS and CC, AF, LF, DF, CF, IF, CP and IP were 0.23; -0.27; -0.48; 0.44 ; 0.33; 0.05; 0.32 and -0.19. The phenotypic correlations coefficient values among PBS and the same characters were 0.12; -0.05; -0.12, -0.3 4; 0.23; 0.54; 0.12 and -0.09. The characters AF showed positive and s ignificative genetic correlation with CP, and DF. The high value of th e genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficient between CC and IF s howed the possibility of obtaining vigorous plants through high foliar index values.