Performance of thirty two families of Cupressus lusitanica at Hambalawei, Lushoto, Tanzania

A study was carried out to evaluate the performance of 32 families of Cupressus lusitanica (MILL.) in a family trial located at Hambalawei, Lushoto - West Usambara, Tanzania. Data was collected periodically on survival, breast height diameter and height. A final assessment was done at 27 years on all parameters including wood basic density, stem form and Cinara cupressi (BUCKTON) infestation. An ANOVA test for volume production showed that at 27 years, there were significant (P below 0.05) differences between families and U1, K152, U3, U6, U2, K10, K87, K162, K160 and U7 ranked highest. A further test involving data for stem canker (P below 0.01) and stem form (P below 0.001) showed that families U1, K165, K160, U6, K150, K159, U2, U4, U9 and U10 were superior. Families K48, K151, K152, K154, K157, K159, K164, T6, T14, F33, U4, U9 and U10 were tolerant of, or capable of withstanding moderate Cinara cupressi BUCKTON infestation and are distinguishable from the rest (P below 0.05). No significant (P over 0.05) differences in basic density were found. Based exclusively on the results from this trial, suitable families were K9, K152 and K157, all from Kenya. When the results are evaluated in relation to those from another study, involving more sites, Ugandan families U3, U1, and Kenyan families K150 and K152 merit use as clone/seed sources. These recommendations presuppose slow advances in the current work on biological control of C. cupressi. When C. cupressi is finally contained, the best 10 families identified in this study, namely K9, K87, K150, K152, K157, K160, K162, U1, U3 and U6 merit use as clone/seed sources. The large number is recommended to widen the genetic base. Because of the small number of families and unequal representation from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the conclusion that Kenyan and Ugandan families are overall best needs to be taken with caution.