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Variation in growth potential between hybrid clones of Eucalyptus trees in eastern South Africa

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Abstract

Growth of commercial forestry is highly dependent on the availability of fast-growing planting materials. Consequently, the efficient utilization of fast-growing plantations can greatly impact productivity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate variations in the growth potential of two clones and to estimate the average stem radial growth advantage of a fast-growing clone using data obtained from Sappi landholdings in eastern South Africa and a mixed modelling approach that permits the incorporation of covariance structure into the statistical model. During the first 2 years of growth, the stem radius of nine trees each of two clones was measured using dendrometer attached to the tree. A second-degree fractional polynomial model was chosen to show the functional relationship between stem radius and tree age. Growth of the two hybrid clones differed significantly. The Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus urophylla clone grew faster than the E. grandis × camaldulensis clone, indicating better genetic potential for rapid growth and yield. This study can be considered as starting point to further compare the potential for rapid growth of several hybrid clones using the longitudinal data modelling approach.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr. Valerie Grzekowiak and Dr. Nicky Jones for several important comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

    Sileshi F. Melesse & Temesgen Zewotir

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  1. Sileshi F. Melesse
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  2. Temesgen Zewotir
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Correspondence to Sileshi F. Melesse.

Additional information

Project funding: The work was funded by Sappi South Africa.

The online version is available at http://www.springerlink.com.

Corresponding editor: Yu Lei.

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Melesse, S.F., Zewotir, T. Variation in growth potential between hybrid clones of Eucalyptus trees in eastern South Africa. J. For. Res. 28, 1157–1167 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-017-0400-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-017-0400-0

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