INFLUENCE OF LEAF AREA REDUCTION ON CLONAL PRODUCTION OF EUCALYPTUS SEEDLINGS

Abstract

Clonal production of eucalyptus seedlings has made considerable progress in recent years. Significant developments have taken place in irrigation and fertilization systems as well as in management of clonal miniorchards. However, the proportion of leaf area in stem minicuttings remains almost the same as that used in macrocutting systems. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of leaf area reduction on seedling production of eight eucalyptus clones. The experiment was conducted over a period of 105 days using a randomized block design and three replicates in an 8 x 4 factorial arrangement, with eight clones and four leaf reduction levels (0%, 25%, 50% and 75%). Variables evaluated included height, root collar diameter, shoot and root dry matter and relationships between these variables. Experimental results demonstrated that clones behaved differently as to leaf reduction and that the 0% reduction level can be adopted in most clones being evaluated.