Performance of new clones of Hevea. III. Potential selections for the plateau of Votuporanga, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

The present paper shows the results of the first selection of 25 rubber tre e clones (Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de Juss.) Muell. Arg.). Most o f them are introductions, originated in selections obtained from different places. After multiplied, the clone evaluation was conducted in a small sca le trial under a randomized complete block design established at Votuporang a Experimental Station in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. The evaluated characters were yield, vigour expressed by stem girth, bark thickness and number of l atex vessel rings. The clones IAN 3156, IAC 40, 7/6, 3/5 e 3/1 were classif ied as high yielding in the first year of tapping. They produced 124%, 105% , 27%, 26% and 19% higher compared with the PRIM 600. The secondary charact eristics, such as stem girth, bark thickness, and number of latex vessel ri ngs of the tested clones are discussed. A complementary evaluation in large scale trials is suggested, aiming to evaluate besides yielding other secon dary characters with purpose of future recommendation of planting materials to the industry.