Abstract
Growth traits, wood properties and bark percentage were assessed for 19 hybrid eucalypt clones at three sites in southern China sampled at age 51 months. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences in growth traits and wood properties between clones and sites, and that the clone × site interactions were also significant except for basic density. Coefficients of variation ranged from 8.4 to 27.9% for growth traits, 2.7–11.1% for wood properties and 14.0–23.3% for bark percentage. Repeatability ranged from 0.73 to 0.96 for growth traits, 0.32–0.93 for wood properties and 0.77–0.88 for bark percentage. Strong genotypic correlations between the same traits in clones at pairs of sites indicated that the traits were rather stable across sites. The genotypic correlations between growth traits and basic density ranged from −0.67 to 0.43, and generally favorable negative genotypic correlations between growth traits and bark percentage were also found. The correlations between growth traits and Pilodyn pin penetration were positive, ranging from 0.28 to 0.65 and therefore unfavorable as lower wood density will be associated with higher values of Pilodyn pin penetration and improved growth rate. The correlations between traits assessed using non-destructive field methods and wood property assessment results indicated that Pilodyn and Fakopp microsecond timer tools can be confidently used to indirectly select for fiber width and basic density.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Apiolaza LA, Raymond CA, Yeo BJ (2004) Genetic variation of physical and chemical wood properties of Eucalyptus globulus. Silvae Genet 54(4–5):160–164
Chapola GBJ (1994) Assessment of some wood properties of eucalyptus species grown in Malawi using Pilodyn method. Discov Innov 6(1):98–109
Chauhan SS, Walker JCF (2006) Variation in acoustic and density with age, and their interrelationships in radiation pine. For Ecol Manag 229:388–394
Cown DJ (1981) Use of the Pilodyn wood tester for estimating wood density in standing trees—influence of site and tree age. 7XVII IUFRO world forestry conference, Kyoto, Japan, Sept. 1981
Dean GH (1995) Objectives for wood fibre quality and uniformity. In: Potts BM, Borralho NMG, Reid JB, Cromer RN, Tibbits WN, Raymond CA (eds) Eucalyptus plantations: improving fibre yield and quality. CRC THF -IUFRO conference, Hobart, 19–24 Feb., pp 483
Dean GH, French J, Maddern KN (1990) Breeding eucalypts for manufacture of pulp and paper. In: Proceedings 23rd forest products research conference, CSIRO Division of Forestry and Forest Products, Clayton, Victoria. November 1990, vol. 11:5/2, pp 15
Dickson RL, Raymond CA, Joe W, Wilkinson CA (2003) Segregation of Eucalyptus dunnii logs using acoustics. For Ecol Manag 179:243–251
Grattapaglia D, Kirst M (2008) Eucalyptus applied genomics: from gene sequences to breeding tools. New Phytol 179:211–229
Greaves BL, Borralho NMG, Raymond CA, Farrington A (1996) Use of a Pilodyn for the indirect selection of basic density in Eucalyptus nitens. Can J For Res 26(9):1643–1650
Hansen CP (2000) Application of the Pilodyn in forest tree improvement. DFSC Series of Technical Notes. TN55. Danida Forest Seed Centre, Humlebaek, Denmark
Hansen JK, Roulund H (1996) Genetic parameters for spiral grain, stem form, Pilodyn and growth in 13 year old clones of Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.). Silvae Genet 46(2–3):107–113
Hai PH, Jansson G, Harwood C, Hannrup B, Thinh HH (2008) Genetic variation in growth, stem straightness and branch thickness in clonal trials of Acacia auriculiformis at three contrasting sites in Vietnam. For Ecol Manag 255:156–167
Igartua DV, Monteoliva SE, Monterubbianesil MG, Villegas MS (2003) Basic density and fiber length at breast height of Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus for parameter prediction of the whole tree. IAWA J 24(2):73–184
Ikemori YK, Martins FCG, Zobel BJ (1986) The impact of accelerated breeding on wood Properties. In: Proceedings of the 18th IUFRO world conference division 5: forest products. Ljubljana, Yugoslavia, pp 358–368
Ilic J (1998) Variation of the dynamic elastic modulus and wave velocity in the fibre direction with other Properties during the drying of Eucalyptus regnans F. Muell. Wood Sci Technol 35:157–166
Ishiguri F, Matsui R, Lizuka K, Yokota S, Yoshizawa N (2008) Prediction of the mechanical properties of lumber by stress-wave velocity and Pilodyn penetration of 36-year-old Japanese larch trees. Orig Arbelten Orig 66:275–280
Jacques D, Marchal M, Curnel Y (2004) Relative efficiency of alternative methods to evaluate wood stiffness in the frame of hybrid larch (Larix × eurolepis Henry) clonal selection. Ann For Sci 61:35–43
Kien ND, Jansson G, Harwood C, Almqvist C, Ha HT (2008) Genetic variation in wood basic density and Pilodyn penetration and their relationships with growth, stem straightness and branch size for Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake in Northern Vietnam. NZ J For Sci 38(1):160–175
Kien ND, Jansson G, Harwood C, Almqvist C (2010) Clonal variation and genotype by environment interactions in growth and wood density in Eucalyptus camaldulensis at three contrasting sites in Vietnam. Silva Genetica 59(1):17–28
Knowles LR, Hansen LW, Wendding A, Downes G (2004) Evaluation of non-destructive methods for assessing stiffness of Douglas fir trees. NZ J For Sci 34(1):87–101
Kube PD, Raymond CA, Banham PW (2001) Genetic parameters for diameter, basic density, cellulose content and fibre properties for Eucalyptus Nitens. For Genet 8(4):285–294
Lima JT, Breese MC, Cahalan CM (2000) Genotype-environment interaction in wood basic density of Eucalyptus clones. Wood Sci Technol 34:197–206
Lu Z, Xu J, Bai J, Zhou W (2000) A study on wood property variation between Eucalyptus tereticornis and Eucalyptus camalduensis. For Res 13(4):370–376 (in Chinese)
Luo J (2003) Variation in growth and wood density of Eucalyptus urophylla. In: Turnbull JW (ed) “Eucalypts in Asia” ACIAR Proceedings No. 111. Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
Luo J, Zhou G, Wu B, Chen D, Cao J, Lu W, Pegg RE, Arnold RJ (2010) Genetic variation and age-age correlations of Eucalyptus grandis at Dongmen Forest Farm in southern China. Aust For 73(2):69–82
MacDonald AC, Borralho NMG, Potts BM (1997) Genetic variation for growth and wood density in Eucalyptus globulus ssp. globulus in Tasmania (Australia). Silvae Genet 46(4):236–241
Maldonado IB, Herrero ME, Gonzalez GI, Mertitegui FA, Montesinos DB, Monteagudo JP (2007) Density estimation by screw withdrawal resistance and probing in structural sawn coniferous timber, and modulus of elasticity assessment. Inf De La Constr 59(506):107–116
McKenney DW, Davis JS, Turnbull JW (1991) The impact of Australian tree species research in China [A]. ACIAR Economic Assessment Series[C]. Canberra 12:6–7
Moura VPG, Barnes RD, Birks JS (1987) A comparison of three methods of assessing wood density in provenances of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and other Eucalyptus species in Brazil. Aust For Res 17(20):83–90
Muneri A, Raymond CA (2000) Genetic parameters and genotype-by-environment interactions for basic density, Pilodyn and stem diameter in Eucalyptus globulus. For Genet 7(4):317–328
Osorio LF, White TL, Huber DA (2001) Age trends of heritabilities and genotype-by-environment interactions for growth traits and wood density from clonal trials of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden. Silvae Genet 50(1):30–36
Pegg RE, Li H, Li H, Zhou G, Xiang D (2006) Study on artificial breeding of eucalypt hybrid in Guangxi. Guangxi For Sci 35(4):238–242
Pliura A, Zhang SY, Mackay J, Bousquet J (2007) Genotypic variation in wood density and growth traits of poplar hybrids at four clonal trials. For Ecol Manag 238:92–106
Qi S (2002) Eucalyptus in China. China Forestry Publishing House, Beijing, pp 1–2 (in Chinese)
Raymond CA, MacDonald AC (1998) Where to shoot your Pilodyn: within tree variation in basic density in plantation Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens in Tasmania. New For 15:205–221
Schimleck LR, Michell AJ, Raymond CA, Muneri A (1999) Estimation of basic density of Eucalyptus globulus using near-infrared spectroscopy. Can J For Res 29(2):194–202
Stackpole DJ, Vaillancourt RE, Aguigar MD, Potts BM (2010) Age trends in genetic parameters for growth and wood density in Eucalyptus globulus. Tree Genet Genomes 6:179–193
Volker PW, Dean CA, Tibbits WN, Ravenwood IC (1990) Genetic parameters and gains expected from selection in Eucalyptus globulus in Tasmania. Silvae Genet 39(1):18–21
Wang X, Ross RJ, McClellan M, Barbour RJ, Erickson JR, Forsman JW, McGinnis GD (2000) Strength and stiffness assessment of standing trees using a nondestructive stress wave technique. Res. Pap. FPL-RP-585. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI, pp 197–206
Wei X, Borralho NMG (1997) Genetic control of basic density and bark thickness and their relationships with growth traits of Eucalyptus urophylla in south east China. Silvae Genet 46(4):245–250
Wei X, Borralho NMG (1999) Objectives and selection criteria for pulp production of Eucalyptus urophylla plantations in south east China. For Genet 6(3):181–190
Wu S, Xu J, Li G, Risto V, Lu Z, Li B, Wang W (2010) Use of the Pilodyn for assessing wood properties in standing trees of Eucalyptus clones. J For Res 21(1):68–72
Wu S, Xu J, Li G, Risto V, Lu Z, Li B, Wang W (2011) Estimation of basic density and modulus of elasticity of eucalypts clones using nondestructive methods in southern China. J Trop For Sci (accepted)
Xu J, Bai J, Lu Z (2001) Some sustainable strategies of improvement and breeding for Eucalyptus tree species in southern China. For Res 14(6):587–594 (in Chinese)
Yao Q, He S, Zhang J, Hong C, Li B (2003) Study on selection of Eucalyptus fine clone for fiber timber in southern hilly land of Fujian. Scientia Silvae Sinicae 39(1):87–92 (in Chinese)
Yin Y, Wang L, Jiang X (2008) Use of Pilodyn tester for estimating basic density in standing trees of hardwood plantation. J Beijing For Univ 30(4):7–11 (in Chinese)
Zhu J, Wang J, Zhang S, Zhang J, Sun X, Liang B (2008) Wood property estimation and selection of populus tomentosa. Scientia Silvae Sci 44(7):23–28 (in Chinese)
Zhu J, Wang J, Zhang S, Zhang J, Sun X, Liang B, Zhao K (2009) Using the pilodyn to assess wood traits of standing trees Laix kaempfri. For Res 22(1):75–79 (in Chinese)
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully thank Prof. K. Harding and RE. Pegg for providing review comments on early draft of this paper, Guangxi StoraEnso Forestry Corporation Ltd. for making their trial available, Prof. H. Wang, Dr. J. Li and Dr. J. Zeng for helping and H. Huang, P. Tan and Y. Hu from Xinhui Forest Bureau for their painstaking assistance in sample preparation. Comments from anonymous reviewers are also appreciated.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This study was undertaken as a project for the National Eleventh Five-Year Science and Technology Plan “Breeding of High yield and High Quality Fast-growing Wood Species of Eucalyptus” (2006BAD01A15-4).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wu, S., Xu, J., Li, G. et al. Genotypic variation in wood properties and growth traits of Eucalyptus hybrid clones in southern China. New Forests 42, 35–50 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-010-9235-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-010-9235-7