EARLY SELECTION OF <em>EUCALYPTUS</em> <em>GRANDIS</em> CLONES IN CENTRAL BRAZIL

Abstract

Genetic variation in productivity of nine Eucalyptus grandis clones was compared after 3 and 15 months of growth in the field in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Clones that were larger (i.e. heavier) after 3 months were still larger after 15 months of growth and had lower stomatal conductances. After 15 months, larger cultivars had a greater allocation of biomass towards stemwood production relative to leaves. Other physiological processes and leaf characteristics (e.g. net photosynthesis, average leaf area, stomatal size and density) were not related to productivity when analyzed by rank correlations. The results suggest that the greater productivity of some clones was associated with more efficient stemwood production, the ability to control relative leaf development and a lower stomatal conductance at an early age.