This paper presents information on the number of shoots per clump (NSC) and area per clump (APC) of 26 Heliconia spp. genotypes, cultivated in full sun and partial shade, at a plant spacing of 3,0 x 1,5 m. 316 days after planting (DAP), NSC of genotypes grown in full sun varied from 18.3 (H. bihai cultivar 'Kamehameha') to 57.0 (H. psittacorum cultivar 'Red Opal'), splitting in three distinct classes (Scott-Knott, P < 0,05). For genotypes grown in partial shade, NSC varied from 11.7 (H. bihai cultivar 'Nappi Yellow') to 43.7 (H. psittacorum x H. spathocircinata cultivar 'Golden Torch'), splitting also in three distinct classes (Scott-Knott, P < 0,05). It was observed that short heliconia genotypes, as the cultivars and hybrids of H. psittacorum, have a larger number of shoots than tall heliconia genotypes, in both planting conditions. Results from the APC, measured 304 DAP, showed that among the genotypes grown in full sun, H. psittacorum cultivar 'Red Opal' occupied half of the plot area (11.387 cm²) while genotype Heliconia x nickeriensis occupied an area larger than the plot area (22.541 cm²). The genotype H. orthotricha presented the smallest APC (725 cm²). In shaded condition APC varied from 750 cm² (H. bihai 'Nappi Yellow') to 10.201 cm² (H. stricta 'Fire Bird'). The evaluation of these traits during the first 316 DAP allowed us to conclude that a single plant spacing for different heliconia genotypes is inappropriate and can lead to future problems in plant management.
Heliconia spp.; crop management; spacing, characterization
