Estimation of heritability in three months old sengon (Falcataria moluccana) seedlings at a progeny testing in Kediri, East Jawa, Indonesia

Abstract

Heritability values were estimated for three months old seedlings height and diameter of Sengon (Falcataria moluccana) grown in a progeny testing in Kediri, East Jawa, Indonesia. Totally 10.000 seedlings from 100 families were planted, consisting of 50 families from resistant mother trees to boktor pest (Xystrocera festiva) and gall rust disease (Uromycladium falcatariae) and other 50 families from susceptible ones. The progeny testing applied split-plot block design with four blocks, 100 families as sub-plot and resistance to pest and disease as main-plot, while observingnine seedlings as replications. Parameters observed were seedlings height and diameter. ANOVA showed that all treatments had significant and highly significant effects on all parameters. Interactions between block and families also interaction between block and resistance were highly significant. However, the heritability values of height and diameter were both low. These low heritability values at seedling stage were expected as Sengon woods are usually harvested at the age of 5 years. However, the highly significant effects of families on both growth parameters indicated that genetics have high contribution to the seedlings performances in the field.