Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Genetic variability and association of characters in the 1995 RRIM Hevea germplasm core collection for yield improvement

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Rubber Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Genetic improvement of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) through conventional breeding approaches depends mainly on the availability of diverse germplasm and the amount of genetic variability present in the population. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the extent of genetic variability in the 1995 Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia (RRIM) Hevea germplasm core collection to determine the correlation and the direct and indirect effects of morphological and bark structural characters on latex yield. The analysis of variance showed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the nine characters studied. The phenotypic coefficient of variations was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variations for all characters studied, suggesting that the apparent variation is not only genetic but also influenced by the growing environment in the expression of the traits. High heritability and high genetic advance were noted for latex yield, indicating the possibility of improvement for this character through phenotypic selection. Latex yield showed significant and positive correlations with plant girth, total number of latex vessel rings, total bark thickness, and total leaf area at both phenotypic and genotypic level. Path coefficient analysis revealed the highest direct effect of plant girth on latex yield, followed by total number of latex vessel rings and total bark thickness indicating the importance of these characters for yield improvement and their potential as reliable indicators for indirect selection in the established core collection.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Schultes RE (1990) A brief taxonomic view of the genus Hevea. Malaysian Rubber Research and Development Board, Kuala Lumpur

  2. Schultes RE (1987) Studies in the genus Hevea. VII. Notes on intraspecific variants of Hevea brasiliensis (Euphorbiaceae). Econ Bot 41(2):125–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. MRB (2009) Rubber plantation and processing technologies. Malaysian Rubber Board, Kuala Lumpur

  4. IRGS (2019) Rubber Statistical Bulletin April-June, 2019th edn. International Rubber Study Group, Kuala Lumpur

    Google Scholar 

  5. Ong SH, Tan H (1987) Utilisation of Hevea genetic resources in the RRIM. Malays Appl Biol 16(1):145–155

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ong SH, Ramli O, Masahuling B, Naimah I (1994) Rubber breeding, progress and strategies to meet future needs of the plantation industry. In: Int. Plntrs. Conf., Oct. 24th–26th, pp 53–69

  7. Maiden NA, Noran A, Adifaiz AF, Atan S (2017) Screening and characterization of Chitinolytic microorganisms with potential to control with root disease of Hevea brasiliensis. J Rubb Res 20(3):182–202

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Mohd.Noor AG, Khoo SK, Naimah I (1987) Breeding and selection of rubber clones in the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia. In: Proc. Colloq. on Breeding and Selection for Clonal Oil Palms, Selangor, Malaysia, 21 March 1987, pp 87–90

  9. Ho CY (1979) Contributions to improve the effectiveness of breeding, selection and planting recommendations of Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. Dissertation, University of Ghent, Belgium

  10. Priyadarshan PM, Goncalves PS (2003) Hevea gene pool for breeding. Genet Resour Crop Evol 50:101–114

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Simmonds NW (1989) Rubber breeding. In: Webster CC, Baulkwill WJ (eds) Rubber. Longman, Singapore, pp 85–124

    Google Scholar 

  12. Tan H (1987) Strategies in rubber tree breeding. In: Abbott AJ, Atkin RK (eds) Improving vegetatively propagated crops. Academic Press, London, pp 27–62

    Google Scholar 

  13. Ong SH, Mohd.Noor AG, Tan AM, Tan H (1983) New Hevea germplasm-Its introduction and potential. In: Proc. Rubb. Res. Inst. Malaysia Plntrs. Conf., Kuala Lumpur, pp 3–7

  14. Adifaiz AF, Maiden NA, Aizat Shamin N, Zarawi AG, Rafii MY (2017) Potential genotypes of the 1995 RRIM Hevea germplasm collection for future rubber breeding and selection programme. J Rubb Res 20(4):242–260

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Ong SH (1993) Mohd Aris MN (1993) Multilateral exchange clone trials. Plntrs’ Bull Rubb Res Inst Malaysia 4:107–113

    Google Scholar 

  16. MRB (1999) Malaysian Rubber Board annual report 1999. Malaysian Rubber Board, Kuala Lumpur

  17. RRIM (1997) Rubber Research Institute Malaysia annual report 1997. Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

  18. Masahuling B, Ramli O (1995) Introduction and ex-situ conservation of Hevea genetic resources. In: Int Symp Workshop Conserv Biol, Kuching, Sarawak, 19th–23rd Nov 1995

  19. Adifaiz AF, Maiden NA, Roslinda S, Suleiman Z, Rafii MY (2019) Core collection of Hevea brasiliensis from the 1995 RRIM Hevea germplasm for effective utilisation in the rubber breeding programme. J Rubb Res 23(1):33–40

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Usman MG, Rafii MY, Martini MY, Oladosu Y, Kashiani P (2016) Genotypic character relationship and phenotypic path coefficient analysis in chili pepper genotypes grown under tropical condition. J Sci Food Agric 97(4):1164–1171

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Federer WT (1961) Augmented designs with one-way elimination of heterogeneity. Biometrics 17:447–473

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Federer WT, Searle SR (1976) Model considerations and variance component estimation in augmented completely randomized and randomized complete blocks designs-Preliminary Version.

  23. Johnson HW, Robinson H, Comstock R (1955) Estimates of genetic and environmental variability in soybeans. Agronomy 47:314–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Falconer DS (1989) An introduction to quantitative genetics, 3rd edn. Longman, London

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kang MS (1994) Applied quantitative genetics. In: Kang MS (ed). Baton Rouge, Louisiana

  26. Allard RW (1960) Principle of plant breeding. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  27. Dewey DR, Lu HK (1959) A correlation and path co-efficient analysis of component of crested wheat grass production. Agron J 51:515–518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Adifaiz AF, Maiden NA, Aizat Shamin N, Roslinda S, Suleiman Z, Rafii MY (2018) Genetic diversity of the 1995 RRIM Hevea germplasm collection for utilisation in the rubber breeding programme. J Rubb Res 21(2):153–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Prabhakara RG, Suma K, Madhavan J, Varghese YA (2013) Variability in wild germplasm of natural rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.). Silvae Genet 62(3):81–86

    Google Scholar 

  30. Abraham ST (2001) Genetic parameters and divergence in certain wild genotypes of Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex Adr. de. Juss.) Muell. Arg. PhD Thesis, Mahtma Gandhi University

  31. Ho CY, Narayanan R, Chen KT (1973) Clonal nursery studies in Hevea I. Nursery yields and associated structural characteristics and their variations. J Rubb Res Inst Malaya 23(4):305–316

    Google Scholar 

  32. Narayanan R, Ho CY, Chen KT (1974) Clonal nursery studies in Hevea III. Correlations between yield, structural characters, latex constituents and plugging index. J Rubb Res Inst Malaya 24(1):114

    Google Scholar 

  33. Licy J, Premakumari D (1988) Association of characters in hand pollinated progenies of Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. ex. Adr. de Juss.) Muell Arg. Indian J Nat Rubb Res 1(1):18–21

    Google Scholar 

  34. Gonçalves PS, Cardinal ABB, Costa RB, Bortoletto N, Gouvêa LRL (2005) Genetic variability and selection for laticiferous system characters in Hevea brasiliensis. Genet Mol Biol 28(3):414–422

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Licy J, Panikkar AON, Premakumari D, Varghese YA, Nazeer MA (1992) Genetic parameters and heterosis in Hevea brasiliensis. I. Hybrid clones of RRII 105 x RRIC 100. Indian J Nat Rubb Res 5(1 & 2):51–56

    Google Scholar 

  36. Varghese YA, Marattukalam JG, George PD, Panikkar AON (1989) Nursery evaluation of some exotic genotypes of Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg. Placrosym VII. J Plant Crops 16:335–342

    Google Scholar 

  37. Mydin KK, Nair VG, Sethuraj MR, Panikkar AON, Nazeer MA, Sarawathy P (1996) Prepotency in rubber. II. Seedlings progeny analysis for yield and certain yield attributes. Indian J Nat Rubb Res 9(1):63–66

    Google Scholar 

  38. Mercy MA, Abraham ST, George PJ, Potty SN, Sethuraj MR, Saraswathy P (1993) Preliminary observations of the 1981 IRRDB Hevea germplasm. II. Variability, dry matter and morphological characters. J Plant Crops 21:268–274

    Google Scholar 

  39. Mydin KK, Thomas V, Mercykutty VC (2011) Yield and related attributes of certain new generation clones of Hevea brasiliensis under large scale evaluation. J Rubb Res 14(3):167–183

    Google Scholar 

  40. Gouvêa LRL, Silva GAP, Verardi CK, Oliveira ALB, Gonçalves PS (2013) Simultaneous selection of rubber yield and girth growth in young rubber trees. Ind Crops Prod 50:39–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Bombonato AL, Gouvêa LRL, Verardi CK, Silva GAP, Gonçalves PS (2015) Rubber tree ortet-ramet genetic correlation and early selection efficiency to reduce rubber tree breeding cycle. Ind Crops Prod 2015:855–860

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Rao GP, Reghu CP, George PJ (1999) Evaluation of Hevea germplasm. VIII. Variability of certain juvenile characters of wild Hevea germplasm. J Cytol Genet 34(2):183–186

    Google Scholar 

  43. Adhikari BN, Joshi BP, Shrestha J, Bhatta NR (2018) Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation among yield and yield components of rice (Oryza sativa L.). J Agric Nat Resour 1(1):149–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Usman MG, Rafii MY, Ismail MR, Malek MA, Latif MA (2014) Heritability and genetic advance among chili pepper genotypes for heat tolerance and morphophysiological characteristics. Sci World J. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/308042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Narayanan C, Mydin KK (2011) Heritability of yield and secondary traits in two populations of Para rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Silvae Genet 60(3):132–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Chandrasekhar TR, Nazeer MA, Marattukalam JG, Premakumari D (1995) Studies on the nature of variation and covariation for some quantitative traits in Hevea brasiliensis. Indian J Nat Rubb Res 8(1):54–56

    Google Scholar 

  47. Moreti D, Gonçalves PS, Gorgulho EP, Martin ALM, Bortoletto N, Gonçalves P (1994) Estimates of genetic parameters and gains expected from selection of juvenile characters in rubber trees progenies. Pesq Agropec Bras 29(7):1099–1109

    Google Scholar 

  48. Sant’Anna IdC, Gouvêa LRL, Gonçalves PS (2020) Relationships between yield and some anatomical and morphological traits in rubber tree progenies. Ind Crops Prod 147:112221

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Narayanan R, Ho CY (1973) Clonal nursery studies in Hevea II. Relationship between yield and girth. J Rubb Res Inst Malaya 23(5):332–338

    Google Scholar 

  50. Silva GAP, Gouvêa LRL, Verardi CK, Resende MdV, Scaloppi Junior EJ, Gonçalves PS (2013) Genetic parameters and correlation in early measurement cycles in rubber trees. Euphytica 189:343–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Silva GAP, Gezan SA, de Carvalho MP, Gouvêa LRL, Verardi CK, de Oliveira ALB, Gonçalves PS (2014) Genetic parameters in a rubber tree population: heritabilities, genotype-by-environment interactions and multi-trait correlations. Tree Genet Genomes. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-014-0766-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Oliveira ALB, Gouvêa LRL, Verardi CK, Silva GAP, Gonçalves PS (2015) Genetic variability and predicted genetic gains for yield and laticifer system traits of rubber tree families. Euphytica 203:285–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Mercy MA, Abraham ST, George PJ, Potty SN (1995) Evaluation of Hevea germplasm: Observations on certain prominent traits in a conservatory. Indian J Plant Genet Resour 8(1):35–39

    Google Scholar 

  54. Gonçalves PS, Martins AMM, Bortoletto N, Saes LA (2004) Selection and genetic gains for juvenile traits in progenies of Hevea in São Paulo State, Brazil. Genet Mol Biol 27(2):207–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Varghese YA, John A, Premakumari D, Panikkar AON, Sethuraj MR (1993) Early evaluation in Hevea: Growth and yield at juvenile phase. Indian J Nat Rubb Res 6(1 & 2):19–23

    Google Scholar 

  56. de Souza GA, de Oliveira LEM, Alvarenga ADP, Pires RMDO, Pires MM, Cardoso AA (2014) Anatomical characteristics of rubber tree bark related to the production of natural rubber. Aust J Basic Appl Sci 8(16):79–84

    Google Scholar 

  57. Falconer DS, Mackay TFC (1996) Introduction to quantitative genetics, 4th edn. Longman, Harlow

    Google Scholar 

  58. Aguiar ATE, Martins ALM, Gonçalves ECP, Júnior EJS, Branco RBF (2010) Correlations and path analysis in rubber tree clones. Rev Ceres Viçosa 57(5):602–607

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Malaysian Rubber Board for research funding (no. S14GRI0541) and permission to publish this paper. Special appreciation goes to Mohd Zairil Yusof, Muhammad Nawawi Din, Mohammad Faris Asyraf Aznam and Mohd. Anizan bin Samsudin for field assistance and data compilation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Production Development Division, Malaysian Rubber Board, 47000, Sg. Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia

    A. F. Adifaiz & N. A. Maiden

  2. Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    S. A. Nusaibah & Z. Sulaiman

  3. Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    M. Y. Rafii

Authors
  1. A. F. Adifaiz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. N. A. Maiden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. A. Nusaibah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Z. Sulaiman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. Y. Rafii
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. F. Adifaiz.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Adifaiz, A.F., Maiden, N.A., Nusaibah, S.A. et al. Genetic variability and association of characters in the 1995 RRIM Hevea germplasm core collection for yield improvement. J Rubber Res 24, 415–422 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-021-00110-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42464-021-00110-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation