Abstract:
The performance of 16 Pinus oocarpa (including 5 now
reclassified as Pinus patula spp. tecunumanii) provenances at
Buhindi Mwanza, Tanzania: is evaluated in terms of survival,
height growth, breast height diameter, basal area per ha, wood
basic density and stem form. The final assessment was carried
out at the age of 22 years.
The main results of the study were:
– Before angular transformation, survival varied from 77%
(Rafael, Nicaragua) to 56% (Conacaste, Guatemala). However
no significant difference (P >0.05) in survival was detected
after such transformation.
– Height growth showed significant differences (P< 0.05) at all
ages. At 22 years the outstanding provenances were Siguatepeque
(Honduras), Rafael (Nicaragua), and Zamorano (Honduras).
Least height growth was shown by Bonete (Nicaragua)
provenance.
– Significant differences (P< 0.05) were detected in breast
height diameter. Outstanding provenances were Yucul, Camelias
(Nicaragua) and Mt. Pine Ridge-K49 (Belize). Least performers
were Zamorano (Honduras) and Lagulnilla (Guatemala)
provenances.
– Significant differences (P< 0.05) were detected in basal area
per ha development. The Bucaral (Guatemala) provenance was
outstanding while least basal area development was recorded
in the Conacaste, Lagunilla (Guatemala) and Siguatepeque
(Honduras) provenances.
– The Bucaral (Guatemala) provenance was significantly
superior (P< 0.05) in wood basic density. Least wood basic
density values were recorded from Camelias, Yucul, Rafael,
Junquillo (Nicaragua), Angeles (Honduras) and the Lagumilla
(Guatemala) provenances.
– No significant differences (P >0.05) in stem form were observed.
It is suggested that the 5 Pinus patula SCHIEDE and DEPPE
ssp. tecunumanii (EQUILUZ and PERRY) provenances are likely
candidates for species diversification in the Lake Victoria zone
where the main plantation species is Pinus caribaea. However,
noting that more than half of the natural distribution of P.
oocarpa occurs outside central America, more provenances
need to be tested to cover that extended range. Similarly, the
sparse sampling of P. patula ssp. tecunumanii also needs
additional representation.
Restricting the results of this study to Pinus oocarpa,
provenance ranking in diminishing order of performance gives:
Bucaral (Guatemala), Zapotillo, Zamorano (Honduras), Chuacus
(Guatemala), Siguatepeque (Honduras), Bonete, Junquillo
(Nicaragua), Conacaste (Guatemala), Angeles (Honduras) and
San Jose (Guatemala); and Lagunilla (Guatemala).
In descending order of performance, suitable Pinus patula
ssp. tecunumanii provenances are Mt. Pine Ridge (K49), Mt.
Pine Ridge (K29), Rafael, Yucul and Camelias (Nicaragua).
