Genetic variation in growth attributes and pulp yield in eucalypts clones

Abstract

Eucalyptus is one of the fast growing pulp wood species grown across the country. Many breeders working hard for developing high yielding genotypes across different site situations. In the present study, total 18 clones of eucalypts were evaluated for growth at the age of four years. Significant variation in growth parameters viz., tree height, diameter at breast height, tree volume and stem biomass was recorded in the studied clones. Among 18 clones, EC-4, EC-5, EC-8, EC-10 and EC-12 showed superiority for growth and stem biomass. Further, these five clones were assessed for pulp productivity and result showed that, there was a meager difference in pulp yield i.e., about 46 to 48 per cent among five clones. Interestingly, holocellulose and lignin content does not vary significantly among five clones. Data revealed that all these five clones found to be superior for both growth and pulp yield and they were suggested for commercial plantation in Navsari agro-ecological situations.