Tree growth and leaf functional attributes of Australian cedar clones cultivated in Jataí, Goiás, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and functional resources of Australian cedar trees (Toona ciliata M. Roem var. australis) in Jataí-GO. Data were collected at four different times of the year (between August 2018 and May 2019) in an experimental laboratory with six Australian cedar clones. Precipitation and air temperature were collected monthly. Functional attributes were selected in four seasons (drought, dry-rain transition, rain and dry-transition). Diameter and height, periodic increment, basal area (Ab), degree of elegance, follicle thickness, specific leaf mass (MFE), relative water content (CRA) and degree of succulence (GS) were defined. After 26 months of planting Australian cedar seedlings in Jataí, clones 2, 3 and 4 showed the largest increases in diameter, height (including clone 1) and Ab. Clone 3 increased more than Ab in the study period. The degree of thinness did not vary between seasons or between clones. Leaf functional resources varied according to the time of year, except for leaflet thickness. MFE was higher in the transition between dry and rainy season for all clones, while the CRA of the leaflets in the dry season had the lowest values and the GS was lower in the rainy season. There was no highlight for any clone regarding the variation in leaf functional resource values. Clones considered being similar growth patterns, with good adaptation in Jataí, and their leaf functional attributes were influenced by the collection seasons.