Within tree variation in anatomical properties of some clones of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm.

Abstract

 Within tree variation in anatomical properties of four and half year old grown Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. clones have been investigated and correlated with specific gravity. Vessel frequency, vessel diameter and fiber length were found to vary significantly from bottom to top with no definite trend. Significant variation exists in all the clones of different parameters. Fiber length was positively correlated with fiber diameter and double wall thickness. Tissue proportions did not show any significant variation from bottom to top. However, highly significant differences have been found between clones among four cell types except fibers. Specific gravity is positively correlated with ray percentage, fiber percentage – vessel percentage ratio and negatively correlated with vessel percentage, while all other anatomical parameters including height and girth have no effect.