Variation of stem volume and wood density of Pinus caribaea Morelet provenances growing at two locations in Fiji
Abstract
Samples were taken in 1982 from trees of Pinus caribaea var. bahamensis, P. caribaea var. caribaea and P. caribaea var. hondurensis growing in provenance trials established in 1975 at Drasa and Nanuku, Fiji. Provenances of P. caribaea var. hondurensis produced significantly more volume under bark than provenances of the other two varieties. Wood from certain inland provenances of P. caribaea var. hondurensis had a higher density than wood from the Honduran and Nicaraguan coastal provenances. Provenance means for volume under bark, dry matter index and variations of density were significantly correlated between locations. Among the P. caribaea var. hondurensis provenances, Melinda (coastal Belize) produced the most dry matter at Nanuku, and Guanaja (insular Honduras) produced the most at Drasa. The results show that use of seed from the best provenances identified in the two trials would increase the productivity of Fijian plantations, which are commonly planted with Mountain Pine Ridge source.
Citation
Appita Journal (1990) 43. (4). pp. 286-288.