Correlation between meteorological factors and early yield of different-clone rubber trees(Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) with various rubber production characteristics

ObjectiveIn this study,effects of meteorological factors on yields of rubber tree(Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.)with different rubber production characteristics were analyzed to provide theoretical references for variety breeding and rubber production.MethodLatex yield,dry rubber content and dry rubber yield of seven clones tapping for three years were compared by variance analysis and multiple comparison method,then gray correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis were used to analyze the relationship between meteorological factors(average temperature, maximum temperature ,minimum temperature ,relative humidity ,photosynthetically active radiation and rainfall) and yield factors of different clones(latex yield,dry rubber content and dry rubber yield).ResultThere was extremely significant difference in latex yield,dry rubber content and dry rubber yield among the seven clones(P<0.01). The seven clones were divided into six categories according to the characteristics of rubber production. The rank of correlation be-tween meteorological factors and dry rubber yield was as follows:average relative humidity on tapping day>average daily relative humidity 3 d before tapping>total rainfall 3 d before tapping>average daily temperature 3 d before tapping>aver-age daily minimum temperature 3 d before tapping>minimum temperature on tapping day>average daily maximum tem-perature 3 d before tapping>average daily photosynthetically active radiation 3 d before tapping. Partial correlation analy-sis indicated that average daily relative humidity 3 d before tapping and average relative humidity on tapping day posed significant difference on latex yield and dry rubber content of different clones. Rubber content increased as relative humidi-ty rose.ConclusionThe yield of rubber is dominated by genotype. Among meteorological factors,relative humidity has significant effects on yield of rubber. The higher the average daily relative humidity 3 d before tapping and relative humidi-ty on tapping day,the higher the yield.