Geographic Variation in Tree Growth and Wood Density of Guazuma crinita Mart. in the Peruvian Amazon

background

This research addresses intra-specific variation in the native Peruvian tree species Guazuma crinita, a fast-growing pioneer species and priority timber tree used in reforestation and agroforestry systems. It also evaluates the tree growth and wood density of G. crinita varieties from 11 provenances in the Peruvian Amazon.

Research Goals & Methods

Trees were planted in lower, middle, and upper parts of the watershed in which soil fertility and mean annual precipitation increase respectively.  Tree height and stem diameter were measured at 6,12,18, and 30 months and wood density was evaluated at 32 months.

Conclusions & Takeaways

There was little variation in the density of the trees, but in general larger trees had lower density. There was much more variation in tree growth. When considered independently by planting site, the area closest to the test site performed better than the others. Together, the authors found that the effect of the planting site on growth and density was much higher than the effect of provenance. Tree growth was lower in the lower planting zone with higher variation in the growth by provenance, suggesting that provenance may play a larger role in less favorable site conditions.