Potential Genotypes of the 1995 RRIM Hevea Germplasm Collection for Future Rubber Breeding and Selection Programme

摘要

Malaysia received a large share of the Hevea germplasm collection from the 1995 Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) expedition. About 50,000 wild genotypes of eight Hevea species originating from the state of Amazonas of Brazil are conserved ex-situ in Rantau Panjang Reserve Forest, Batu Arang, Selangor. As management of such massive numbers of individuals covering extensive areas is demanding, the wild genotypes planted in this germplasm are evaluated in a phased manner. A total of 5,789 wild genotypes of six Hevea species (Hevea brasiliensis, Hevea spruceana, Hevea guainensis, Hevea nitida. Hevea benthamiana and Hevea pauciflora) originating from different locations in the Amazonas, planted in Phase 1 area (58.88 ha) of this germplasm were assessed for their main characteristics specifically latex yield, clear bole volume, girth at opening, annual girth increment and virgin bark thickness.