Comparative study of volume growth in Eucalyptus tereticornis clones across diverse agro climatic zones

Abstract

This study examines the volume growth performance of three clones of Eucalyptus tereticornis planted by Harihara Polyfibers across five contrasting agro climatic zones in Karnataka: central dry zone, eastern dry zone, southern dry zone, southern transition zone, and northern transition zone. The study aimed to investigate the extent of clonal variation in volume production and related growth traits such as height and DBH under differing agro climatic conditions. A total of eighteen trees per clone were assessed per zone following standard field procedures. Statistical analysis using two-way ANOVA revealed highly significant effects (p < 0.001) for clone, site, and their interaction, indicating pronounced genotype × environment interactions. Further comparisons through Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) confirmed notable variation in volume performance both within and across zones. The results highlight the critical role of site-specific evaluation in identifying productive clones suited to local conditions. These insights can inform clonal deployment strategies to maximize volume yield and support sustainable pulpwood production in diverse tropical environments.