Development of a height estimation method based on the diameter at breast height of Prosopis alba Grisebach selected populations from a progeny trial in Santiago del Estero, Argentina

The main objective of this work was to develop a height estimation method of Prosopis alba based on the diameter at breast height (DBH) of populations with superior characteristics selected through a progeny trial located in the INTA Experimental Agricultural Station, Province of Santiago del Estero, Argentina. The progeny trial was established in 2008 and consists of 3,671 individuals (202 families). The registered variables were DBH and total height (TH) of 123 individuals, taken at random from the three blocks that make up the trial. Linear regressions were performed to develop the model that best fits height estimation with all the sampled individuals (AI model) and, also using the data of 7 individuals - the three trees of greater diameter, the three of smaller diameter and an individual of intermediate diameter-, called the reduced height estimation model (RHEM model). AI model and RHEM model were satisfactory to estimate height of the trees based on their DBH in the trial of progenies in Santiago del Estero. However, the RHEM model offers an important saving of time and effort, simplifying the field activity.