ASSESSING THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF TWO DIFFERENT HEVEA BRASILIENSIS CLONES (IRCA 41 AND GT 1) IN THE GUINEA SAVANNA SOIL IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

This study was conducted in the Northern Region of Ghana to assess the growth performance of two different Hevea brasiliensis clones namely IRCA 41 and GT 1 in the Guinea Savanna soil. The fresh rubber stumps which were used for the experiment were collected from Ghana Rubber Estate Limited (GREL) which is located in the Western Region. The research design employed the use of completely randomized design with thirty replicates each of the two Hevea brasiliensis species. Data was collected during the dry and rainy seasons. The results at the end of the project for the two Hevea brasiliensis clones showed an average germination rate of 86.66% and 73.30% during the rainy and dry seasons respectively. A mean height of 25.30cm, mean girth of 6.34mm and mean leaf number of 28 were recorded during the rainy season whiles a mean height of 22.56cm, mean girth of 3.41mm and mean leaf number of 42 were recorded in the dry season for the two Hevea brasiliensis clones. When T-test was performed on the two Hevea brasiliensis clones, it was revealed that, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in height, girth and number of leaves between the two different rubber clones during the rainy season and the dry season. Hevea brasiliensis therefore has a greater potential for cultivation in Guinea Savanna soil.