A comparison of the field behaviour of ramets derived from a mature tree of Acacia mangium by tissue culture and the seedling progeny of the ortet

Abstract

Summary The field behaviour of ramets of Acacia mangium produced in vitro from a 4-y-old selected ‘plus tree’ was compared to the field behaviour of the half-sib seedling progeny of the ortet. Assessments of mortality, frequency of multiple stems, susceptibility to wind breakage, total height, and diameter at breast height, were made over a period of 36 months from the planting date. Only mortality at 36 months differed significantly between the ramets and the seedlings, the rates being 23% and 0% respectively.