Pages: 28-31

Abstract

Production of planting materials of natural rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis is by budding, which is affected by both genetic and environmental factors. This limits production of planting materials for distribution to farmers. This limitation can be addressed through genetic improvement. The objective of the study was evaluation of heritability of budding success among ten improved clones of H. brasiliensis.  The study was conducted at the substation of the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria at Akwete, Abia State, Nigeria. Bud-patch was obtained from ten improved clones and budded onto rootstock. Rootstock consisted of seedlings of mixed clones. First and second inspection of budding success was conducted at 21 and 28 days after budding, respectively.  Percent budding success was calculated and transformed used arc-sine transformation. Analysis of variance was conducted with mean separation and calculation of broad sense heritability. There was significant clonal variation for budding success with heritability estimates of 92% to 97%. Budding success was least in NIG 812 (C162) at 2.33% and highest in NIG 813 (C 202) at 71% with eight clones having less than 60% budding success at 28 days after budding. This suggests that clones with low budding success will require high intensity budding to get enough planting materials for farmers. The high heritability provides prospect of high selection progress while breeding for improved budding success.