ISHS Acta Horticulturae 175: Symposium on Physiology of Productivity of Subtropical and Tropical Tree Fruits
SOME METHODS FOR RELATING YIELD TO TREE SIZE IN MACADAMIA |
| Authors: | K.R. Chapman, H.F.D. Bell, D.J.D. Bell |
| Abstract:
Six methods for relating yield to tree size in the macadamia cultivar Keauhou (246) were examined over a period of two years, for trees ranging in age from 6–12 years. Canopy surface area, silhouette area and vertical sectional area all gave good correlations (R values) with yield (kg N.I.S.) ranging from 0.8450 to 0.8767. Silhouette area determined by measuring the areas of tree sketches with a planimeter was the simplest method and gave R values of 0.8605 and 0.8452 for 1983 and 1984 respectively. The regression of trunk cross sectional area on yield for 1984 gave R values of 0.6011 for a straight line, 0.7075 for yield versus log trunk cross sectional area and 0.7680 for a log - log data fit. 95 percent confidence bands, were applied to regression data in an attempt to identify individual trees that lay outside the limits and thus pinpoint more fruitful or less fruitful individuals. Both silhouette area and vertical sectional area identified two trees which were above 95 percent limit and one of these (tree number 4) had the greater yield per unit surface area of canopy and thus is of greatest interest. Further studies are necessary to determine how to use these methods for selection in plant improvement programs with macadamia. | |
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