Spacing and Genotype on Height and Diameter Growth of Four Eucalyptus under Short Rotation

Balozi B Kirongo, Angela S Mbelase, Kingiri Senelwa, Joseph Hitimana, Lazare Etiegni

Abstract

In this paper, the dynamic change in tree height, diameter at breast height (dbh), and ground line diameter (gld) at different density was studied. Trial sites were established in Chepkoilel and Nangili areas of western Kenya.  Eight tree species (2 hybrid eucalyptus clones; GC 10 and GC 167), 1 eucalyptus local landrace, 2 agroforestry (Grevillea robusta and Markhamia lutea), 1 pure eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis), and 2 preferred local species (Maesopsis eminii and Khaya nyasica) were planted on each site. This paper however focuses on the effect of spacing  on the height, dbh, and  gld growth of the 4 eucalyptus genotypes viz (2 eucalyptus hybrid clones, 1 eucalyptus local landrace, and 1 pure Eucalyptus grandis). These were planted at 10 different spacings (0.6-, 0.8-, 1.0-, 1.2-, 1.4-, 1.6-, 1.8-, 2.0-, 2.2-, and 2.4-by-1.0 m; these being some of the most common spacings used by farmers) in a Nelder radial experimental design in 4 replications. Measurements of height, dbh, and gld were taken at intervals of 6 months over 3 years. The data was subjected to an analysis of variance to determine if there were statistically significant (p = 0.05) differences in tree growth with spacing levels.  The results showed that tree growth  was significantly  influenced  by spacing  and genotype  with  the  best  spacing being  2.4-by-1.0 m, indicated that the relative growth rates of height dbh, gld, and increased with increasing the distance between trees but decreased with age. After 3 years the best spacing for optimal overall tree growth was 2.4-by-1.0 m and GC10 being the outstanding genotype. Of the 2 sites, trees performed better in Nangili. The results from this study further pinpoint the importance of species-site-matching using improved germplasm and planting trees at the correct spacing for optimal growth.

Authors

Balozi B Kirongo
balozibk@hotmail.com (Primary Contact)
Angela S Mbelase
Kingiri Senelwa
Joseph Hitimana
Lazare Etiegni
KirongoB. B., MbelaseA. S., SenelwaK., HitimanaJ., & EtiegniL. (1). Spacing and Genotype on Height and Diameter Growth of Four Eucalyptus under Short Rotation. Jurnal Manajemen Hutan Tropika, 18(1), 1-9. Retrieved from https://journal.ipb.ac.id/index.php/jmht/article/view/4739

Article Details

Growth, Yield, and Stem Quality of Tectona grandis Grown with Different Spacings at Longuza Forest Plantation, Tanzania

Enos Samamba, Shabani Athumani Omari Chamshama, Japhet Noah Mwambusi
Abstract View : 314
Download :322

Five Year Growth and Survival of Eucalyptus Hybrid Clones in Coastal Kenya

Balozi B Kirongo, Kimani G K, Kingiri Senelwa, Lazare Etiegni, Angela Mbelase, Mbae Muchiri
Abstract View : 733
Download :648