Variation in bark thickness among clones of Eucalyptus tereticornis across agro climatic zones

Abstract

This study assessed the variation in bark thickness among three improved clones of Eucalyptus tereticornis developed by ITC Bhadrachalam and established by Harihar Polyfibers across five agro climatic zones of Karnataka. Bark thickness was measured using a Vernier caliper, and statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the influence of clones, agro climatic zones, and their interaction. The analysis revealed significant differences among clones and a significant clone × environment interaction, indicating that the performance of each clone varied depending on the site. However, agro climatic zones alone did not exert a statistically significant effect on bark thickness. One clone consistently recorded higher bark thickness across several zones, suggesting superior adaptability. These findings underscore the importance of genotype x environment interactions in optimizing wood quality traits for clonal forestry programs.