Spatial distribution of precipitation over the initial growth of red cedar (Cedrela odorata L.)

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the effect of the spatial variability of precipitation on the initial
growth of red cedar (Cedrella odorata L.) in Soconusco, Chiapas, Mexico.
Design / methodology / approach: The plantations were established in June 2010 in
Suchiate, Tapachula and Tuxtla Chico, Chiapas; with a density of 1,111 trees ha -1
planted and spaced 3.0 mx 3.0 m. Every six months (210-2014) tree height (h; m) and
diameter at chest height (DBH; cm) were measured).
Results: The average annual height of the trees was correlated; with the accumulated
annual precipitation (Pp; mm), and a simple linear regression equation (R2= 0.94) was
determined, which predicts that the growth of the red cedar was 0.09 m for every 100
mm of precipitation observed in the different localities. Likewise, its initial growth was
adjusted with a high level of confidence (P?0.001) to the first phase of the Richards
sigmoidal model and, from its first derivative, the annual growth rates were determined:
2.58 m year-1, 2.05 year -1 and 1.86 year -1 m for the towns of Tapachula, Tuxtla Chico
and Suchiate, respectively.
Study limitations / implications: The first phase of the Richards model is only
applicable for the initial growth of red cedar and, beyond four years of age, it presents
errors.

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Conclusions: The first phase of Richards' sigmoidal model under the conditions
studied, predicts with high confidence the initial growth of red cedar for the conditions of
Soconusco, Chiapas.