Impact of Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. shelterbelts on crops

The economic yield of chickpea, lentil, wheat, cauliflower, barseem, and toria in a 12-m-wide strip to the south of 8 ± 1-year-old Eucalyptus tereticornis shelterbelts (three different locations) was reduced by more than half. Among all the crops under study, the yield of chickpea was reduced by the maximum extent. The content of soil phytotoxins was maximum in the litter-free top soil surface, compared to that at 30 or 60 cm depths, at all distances from the Eucalyptus. Maximum content of phytotoxins was found at 1 m from the tree line for all depths. These soil phytotoxins impaired the germination of Lens esculentum, thus indicating an allelopathic effect. It is included that the poor perfornce of crops in the sheltered area is related to an allelopathic effect of the Eucalyptus.     

Allelopathic effects of invasive Eucalyptus camaldulensis on germination and early growth of four native species in the Western Cape,South Africa

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. (red river gum; Myrtaceae) is an invasive tree in riparian habitats of the Western Cape, South Africa, where it replaces indigenous vegetation and affects ecosystem functioning. These invasions lead to changes in river geomorphology and reduction in stream flow. The mechanisms that drive these effects are poorly understood. The potential for allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts of E. camaldulensis tissues and of soil and litter collected beneath E. camaldulensis trees on the germination and seedling growth of four selected native plant species was investigated in a greenhouse experiment. Soils collected beneath E. camaldulensis trees were used in three treatments: untreated soils, sterilised soils and sterilised soils overlaid with a eucalypt litter layer. In addition, soils collected from underneath native species were used in two treatments: untreated soils and soils overlaid with a eucalypt litter layer. All soil treatments were watered with three E. camaldulensis leaf, bark and root aqueous treatments. Compounds present in the aqueous extracts and fresh samples were identified using gas chromatography. Soil and aqueous treatments showed varying effects on germination and seedling growth of the four native species. Germination and seedling growth of Olea europaea subsp. africana and Dimorphotheca pluvialis were significantly reduced by E. camaldulensis root and bark aqueous extracts as well as by the soils treatments. The addition of eucalypt litter to native and sterilised soils reduced shoot and root growth of all four native species. Compounds such as -phellandrene, eucalyptol, p-menth-1-en-8-ol and -pinene, which have the potential to inhibit germination and plant growth, were identified in E. camaldulensis aqueous extracts and fresh samples. Although the methods applied in this study had limitations (e.g. lack of control treatment to litter addition), the results provide an additional motivation to prioritise removal of invasive E. camaldulensis stands from riparian ecosystems. Restoration initiatives should target native species that are not negatively affected by allelopathy.     

Allelopathic effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus halepensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus coccifera</Emphasis> on the germination of Mediterranean crop seeds

Agroforestry is a leading alternative for food security and forest conservation. A full understanding of positive and negative, i.e. allelopathic, interactions between crops and forest trees is necessary for producing crops and conserving forests especially within the threatened Mediterranean forest ecosystems. The present study explored the allelopathic effects of green and senescent leaf and soil extracts of two agroforestry trees—Pinus halepensis and Quercus coccifera—on the germination of wheat, barley, lentil, chickpea, and fababean as the major grain crops of Jordan. Results revealed that allelopathic effects reduced seed germination of these crops. Germination reduction reached a maximum of 75% in fababean treated with green extracts of Q. coccifera and differed among crops and extract sources, but not between tree species. Comparing between green and senescent leaf and soil extract, regarding their effect on germination percentage, it was noticed that these effects were similar in some crops and were different in others. Germination responses were generally different between cereals and legumes where cereals tend to be less affected by allelopathic influences than legumes, especially fababean. We suggest using cereals such as wheat and barley in agroforestry practices in the Mediterranean region of Jordan.     

Assaying the allelopathic effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus camaldulensis</Emphasis> in a nursery bed incorporated with leaf litter

Allelopathic effects of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. were confirmed in Petri dish and pot experiments in our previous studies. However, the degree to which such effects under controlled experiments exist in more complex ecological settings remains to be tested. Thus, the present study was carried out by incorporating different proportions of ground litter of E. camaldulensis in soil. The growth of three agricultural crops: falen (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), and arhor (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), and two tree species, kala koroi (Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth.) and ipil ipil (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit) were tested. There were inhibitory effects of leaf litter on germination, shoot and root growth, leaf number, and collar diameter as well as a reduction of nodulation by legume crops (25–80% reduction). The extent of the effects was dependent on the proportion of leaf litter, the species and the type of traits. In contrast to shoot growth, the effect on root growth was more severe. No effect on germination was found with the agriculture crops while the two tree species showed reduced germination. The effect was greater in the presence of higher proportions of leaf litter mixed in soil while in some cases lower proportions stimulated growth. Not all species were suppressed; A. procera, C. cajan, V. unguiculata showed compatible growth while C. arietinum and L. leucocephala were found incompatible. This study provides evidence that E. camaldulensis has allelopathic potential under field conditions and a careful selection of associated crops in agroforestry systems is highly recommended.     

Screening agroforestry tree mulches for corn growth: a combined soil test,pot trial and plant analysis approach

The response of corn (Zea mays) to incorporated leaf and twig mulches ofLeucaena leucophala, Gliricidia sepium andCassia siamea, andGrevillea robusta as a non-legume comparison was investigated in a 10-week pot trial and a concurrent soil incubation study to evaluate the suitability of various agroforestry trees as mulch sources.Leucaena contributed to the highest N uptake and biomass production of these corn plants, reflecting the benefits of organic mulching.Cassia-treated plants also performed better than the unmulched controls, butGrevillea incorporation suppressed corn growth probably because of the relatively high Mn status of this mulch. Manganese toxicity was confirmed by comparative vector diagnosis of plant nutrient status.Cliricidia mulching resulted in seedling mortality after germination possibly from high soil pH and ammonium toxicity. Mineral N production in mulched soils during the laboratory incubation was well correlated with N uptake in corn shoots. The results suggest that the nutritional effects of agroforestry tree mulches on growth of companion crops may be effectively screened by a combined soil test, pot trial, and plant analysis approach.     

Allelopathic behaviour of three medicinal plant species on traditional agriculture crops of Garhwal Himalaya,India

Allelopathic behaviour of three medicinal herbs viz. Rheum emodi, Saussaurea lappa and Potentilla fulgens, on some traditional food crops was examined. Germination of all the traditional food crops was reduced significantly under aqueous extracts of S. lappa and P. fulgens but radicle and plumule growth of Amaranthus caudatus and Eleusine coracana was reduced significantly under aqueous extracts of all three medicinal species. For marginal farmers sole medicinal plants cultivation is not possible, therefore, medicinal plants based agroforestry is being propagated.     

Biological performance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus camaldulensis</Emphasis> leaf oils from Thailand against the subterranean termite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coptotermes formosanus</Emphasis> Shiraki

The antitermitic activities of leaf oils and their constituents, taken from three clones of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. in Thailand, against Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki were investigated in contact and noncontact tests. The termiticidal mechanism was also examined. Antitermitic tests demonstrated that E. camaldulensis leaf oils were both contact toxicants and fumigants to C. formosanus with LC₅₀ values ranging between 12.68 and 17.50 mg/g by the contact method, and between 12.65 and 17.50 mg/petri dish (100 cm³) by the noncontact method. p-Cymene and γ-terpinene were primarily responsible for the contact toxicity and 1,8-cineole was responsible for fumigation. From the investigation of termiticidal mechanism, E. camaldulensis leaf oils exhibited the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity and showed the common symptoms of a neurotoxic mode of action against C. formosanus. Part of this report was presented at the 58th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tsukuba, March 2008     

Lack of association between allozyme heterozygosity and juvenile traits in Eucalyptus

Genetic variability for juvenile traits, which included basal diameter, height, biomass accumulation, and growth increment, was studied in eight provenances involving four species, Eucalyptus grandis, E. saligna, E. camaldulensis and E. urophylla, under uniform greenhouse conditions. The species differed significantly for all juvenile traits including individual mean allozyme heterozygosity, and high levels of variability were observed within and among species, which indicated that scope for selection exists for these traits. There was considerable reduction in genetic variability for all traits at 6 months of age when compared to that observed at 4 months. Eucalyptus saligna recorded the highest mean for basal diameter and biomass accumulation, while E. camaldulensis exhibited the highest mean for height. The two E. camaldulensis provenances exhibited the highest individual mean heterozygosities (0.425 and 0.417), followed by E. saligna (0.296 and 0.258), E. urophylla (0.254 and 0.233), and E. grandis (0.300 and 0.163). The juvenile traits were correlated with individual mean allozyme heterozygosity to examine the possibility of developing a genotypic basis for early selection of potentially superior individuals in a tree improvement program.     

外来树种火炬树化感作用的研究

以盐肤木和黄栌为参照树种,用火炬树树叶水浸提液、林下土壤水浸提液浸种24 h,研究了浸提液对侧柏、油松、香椿、臭椿、小麦、小白菜种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响,研究了火炬树的化感作用。结果表明:火炬树完整鲜叶水浸提液处理小白菜种子,其发芽率和发芽势分别为88.0%、82.5%,与对照发芽率(94.0%)和发芽势(91.5%)无显著差异,而破碎鲜叶水浸液则极显著影响小白菜的发芽率和发芽势,分别降低为24.8%和5.0%;火炬树完整鲜叶和破碎鲜叶水浸液都能促进小白菜苗高生长,但都抑制小白菜胚根的伸长。与鲜叶相比,火炬树干叶水浸提液的化感作用明显降低。火炬树破碎鲜叶水浸提液极显著影响小麦发芽率,分别比对照的发芽率和发芽势降低11.0%和83.5%,干叶水浸提液则不影响小麦的发芽率,为95.0%,但发芽势比对照降低23.0%。与盐肤木和黄栌相比,火炬树破碎鲜叶水浸提液对小麦幼茎及胚根生长的抑制作用最强。火炬树破碎鲜叶水浸提液对4个乡土树种的种子萌发产生了不同程度的抑制作用,对香椿及臭椿发芽率的抑制作用极显著。火炬树破碎鲜叶水浸提液对4个树种的苗高以及油松苗胚根的伸长没有显著影响,但却极显著地抑制了侧柏、香椿及臭椿胚根的伸长。火炬树林下表层土壤水浸提液对小麦幼苗的生长没有抑制作用,能明极显著促进香椿的生长;处理55 d时,香椿苗平均高为8.63 cm,极其显著高于对照(5.14 cm)。     

PEG模拟干旱对毛竹种子萌发及生长生理特性的影响

[目的]通过比较不同程度干旱胁迫对毛竹种子萌发及生长生理的影响,探究毛竹种子萌发期对水分胁迫的耐受机理,为毛竹的水分管理提供科学依据。[方法]以毛竹种子为试验材料,采用培养皿滤纸萌发的方法研究不同浓度(0%、5%、10%、15%、20%、25%) PEG-6000溶液对其种子萌发、生长、渗透调节物质、抗氧化酶活性的影响。并对种子萌发率、胚根和胚芽的生长量与PEG胁迫浓度间进行回归分析。[结果](1)对照组(CK)和5%处理组在第4天开始发芽,其余各处理组的发芽起始时间随处理浓度的升高逐渐延迟,25%处理组不发芽。(2)最终发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、活力指数、胚根长度、胚芽长度随PEG浓度的升高呈现先增大后减小的趋势,且均在5%浓度达到最大值。干旱胁迫下毛竹种子发芽率日变化曲线中对照组和5%处理组间存在唯一交叉点。毛竹种子在PEG胁迫下发芽率的临界值和极限值分别为14. 49%和19. 27%。(3)胚根和胚芽最终长度均在5%浓度时达到最大值,其后随着浓度的升高而减小,处理间差异显著(P 0. 05)。对照组和5%处理组的胚根平均长度日变化曲线存在交叉点。PEG胁迫下胚根生长的临界值和极限值分别为20. 43和23. 01%。(4)胚根中SOD、POD、CAT的活性均随PEG浓度的升高呈先上升后下降的趋势,且分别在5%、10%、10%浓度时达到最大值。(5) MDA和可溶性蛋白含量随PEG浓度的升高而持续升高,但低浓度(0%10%)时MDA含量差异不显著。[结论]低浓度干旱胁迫抑制发芽前期毛竹种子萌发以及胚根的形成,但显著提高毛竹种子的最终发芽率并且促进胚根后期的生长;而高浓度PEG干旱胁迫延迟毛竹发芽,抑制整个发芽时期的发芽率以及胚根、胚芽的生长; PEG浓度高于15%的干旱胁迫使毛竹的抗氧化酶系统发生紊乱,并对组织膜系统造成显著伤害。     

Effects of some materials extracted fromAjuga species on the larvae ofHyphantria cunea and its natural enemies

Six kinds of extracts drawn fromAjuga multiflora andA. multiflora var.brevispicata and A. multiflora var.serotina using methanol and acetone were used in this experiment to test their killing activity to the second instar larvae ofHyphantria cunea and their influence on its natural enemies. The average death rate caused by those extracts on the second instar larvae was 85.70%. The mortality rate caused by the extracts drawn with methanol was from 88.89% to 96.33%, which was significantly higher than that caused by acetone extracts. Those extracts were safe toTrichogramma dendrolimi, Coccinella septempunctata, the natural enemies ofH. cunea. We did not found any evidence shown that those extracts had any influence the emergence and the development ofT. dendrolimi. Those methanolic extracts gotten fromA. multiflora andA. multiflora var.brevispicata had no significant effects on the mortality of the larvae and adults ofC. septempunctata. Those extracts could be used in the control ofH. cunea safely. The research was sponsored by National Nature Science Fundation (39470586) (Responsible Editor: Chai Ruihai)     

Effects of drought stresses induced by polyethylene glycol on germination of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica seeds from natural and plantation forests on sandy land

Effects of drought stresses induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG) (0.0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%, with four replicates) on germination of Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) seeds produced in plantations (southern Keerqin sandy land) and natural forests (Hulunbeier sandy plain) were observed. The results indicated that the seeds from both provenances did not germinate when PEG concentration was more than 25%. The time of initial germination and that of its completion of stressed seeds from both provenances were delayed when compared with the unstressed seeds. The germination capacity and germination rate of natural seeds were significantly higher than those of plantation seeds for all treatment levels (P < 0.05). The mean growth rates of radicle and hypocotyl from natural seeds were significantly higher than those from plantation seeds at all treatment levels below 20% PEG treatment (P < 0.05). The ratios of radicle to hypocotyl of 20% PEG treatment were significant higher than those of the corresponding controls for both provenances (P < 0.05). These results suggested that Mongolian pine seeds/seedlings had stronger resistance to PEG drought stresses; 10% PGE stress did not significantly influence germination. Natural seeds exhibited more resistance to PEG stress than plantation seeds. It was concluded that drought stress on seed germination might be one cause of obstructed natural regeneration of Mongolian pine plantations on sandy land. It is recommended that natural seeds be used for afforestation, and light drought stress (e.g., 10% PEG stress) may be useful in improving seed germination and the growth of radicles and hypocotyls.     

Litterfall,litter decomposition and the use of mulch of four indigenous tree species in the Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica

Litterfall, forest-floor litter biomass and nutrients, short-term litter decomposition and the effects of leaf mulches on initial growth of maize were studied for four indigenous tree species with agroforestry potential:Stryphnodendron microstachyum Poepp. et Endl.(S. excelsum), Vochysia ferruginea Mart,Vochysia guatemalensis Donn. Sm. (V. hondurensis) andHyeronima alchorneoides (O), growing in a young experimental plantation in the Atlantic humid lowlands of Costa Rica. Total annual leaf litterfall was higher inV. ferruginea plots, followed byS. microstachyum, V. guatemalensis andH. alchorneoides; all with values comparable to those reported for other tree species grown in agroforestry combinations in humid tropical regions. Forest-floor litter accumulation was highest underV. ferruginea andV. guatemalensis. Both litterfall and forest-floor litter material had similar patterns in nutrient concentrations: N was higher inS. microstachyum, Ca was higher inV. guatemalensis, K was higher inH. alchorneoides; Mg was higher inV. guatemalensis andH. alchorneoides; H. alchorneoides andV. guatemalensis had the highest P.V. ferruginea litter decomposed more slowly, whileS. microstachyum apparently decomposed faster than the other species. The twoVochysia species showed increases in N and P concentration in decomposing litter after seven weeks in the field,H. alchorneoides showed an increase in litter N and a decrease in litter P, andS. microstachyum showed a net decrease in both N and P over the same time period. The patterns found in the litter bag study were confirmed by results obtained in a tethered-leaves experiment.S. microstachyum andV. ferruginea litters lost more weight when mixed in a 11 proportion than either of them alone. Maize seedlings growing in plots mulched withS. microstachyum andH. alchorneoides leaves showed greatest initial growth, confirming patterns found in decomposition and nutrient release studies. The results show that these species could be used in agroforestry combinations with different advantages according to the specific objectives desired, whether these are soil protection, nutrient recycling, or enhancement of the growth of associated crops.     

Antioxidative and antiradical activities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus camaldulensis</Emphasis> leaf oils from Thailand

The leaf essential oils (six samples) from three clones of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Radical scavenging and antioxidant properties were investigated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and the β-carotene bleaching test. It was found that the whole essential oil and its fractions had significant antioxidant effects when they were tested by each method. In the DPPH assay, the E. camaldulensis leaf oils showed IC₅₀ inhibitory concentrations in the range of 1.75–12.62 mg/ml. In the β-carotene bleaching test, the IC₅₀ valued were in the range of 14.30–118.55 μg/ml. Part of this report was presented at the 18th meeting of the Chugoku-Shikoku Branch of the Japan Wood Research Society, November 2006     

Control ability of extrats fromAjuga plants on some pests

Several phytoecdysteroids have been found in the extracts ofA. multiflora andAlinerifolia using HPLC analysis. Those were 20-OH ecdysone, cyasterone. 3-acetate-20-OH ecdysone. 2-acetate-20-OH edysone, ajugalactone. We found out that those phytoecdy steroids could lead the second instar larva ofClostera anastomosis andStilpnotia candida to death. The modified mortality rate was from 44.64% to 96.24%. Those extracts could significantly reduce the amount of nymph produced by the femaleTuberolachnus salignus. The number of the nymph produced after treating with those extracts was only 20% to 70% of that produced by the untreated group. The death rate of the newly produced nymph which treated was among 33.33% to 58.82%. It was much higher than the death rate of the control group (17.57%). This research project was sponsored by the Natural Sciences Fundation of Heilongjiang Province (94003) Responsible Editor: Chai Ruihai     

Comparison of terpenes in extracts from the resin and the bark of the resinous stem canker of Chamaecyparis obtusa and Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondae

A monoterpene and 15 diterpenes were isolated from the ethyl acetate extracts of the bark-glued resin from the resinous stem canker ofThujopsis dolabrata var.hondae Makino. A monoterpene (nezukone20) and 4 diterpenes (acetyl torulosol5, acetyl isocupressic acid8, acetyl abietinol11, and 7-methoxytotarol18) were characteristic constituents of the ethyl acetate extracts but were absent in then-hexane extracts from the resinous stem canker ofT. dolabrata var.hondae. These terpenes were first isolated fromT. dolabrata var.hondae andT. dolabrata. The available literature suggests that diterpene18 is a new compound. The resinous stem canker ofChamaecyparis obtusa Endlicher contained larger amounts of manool1,trans-communic acid6, and ferruginol12 and smaller amounts of isocupressic acid7 and abietinol10 than the resinous stem canker ofT. dolabrata var.hondae. The concentration of18 was less than 2% in the extracts, and the resinous stem canker ofC. obtusa lacked this compound. The resinous stem cankers ofC. obtusa andT. dolabrata var.hondae provided extracts 15.6 and 4.96 times, respectively, heavier than the healthy ones. Large differences in the ratios and compositions of terpenes were also observed between the resinous stem canker and the healthy trees. Terpenes isolated from the extracts contained many kinds of diterpene, especially the labdane-type diterpenes, in these diseased trees. These results suggest that the presence of labdane-type diterpenes is closely associated with the resinous stem canker or the causal fungi of this disease.Part of this report was presented at the 50th annual meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Kyoto, April 2000     

Effect of silvicultural treatments on growth,fertility and capsule traits in seedling seed orchards of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus camaldulensis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. tereticornis</Emphasis>

The effects of nutritional treatments and the flowering promoter Paclobutrazol™ on tree growth and fertility were studied in unpedigreed seedling seed orchards (SSOs) of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and E. tereticornis at two locations in southern India. At Pudukkottai, a semi-arid site in Tamil Nadu State, five treatments were applied: (1) untreated control, (2) nitrogen (two doses of urea at 217 g N/tree), (3) nitrogen plus phosphorus (two doses of 312 g single superphosphate), potassium (two doses of 83 g muriate of potash) and trace elements (two doses of 10 g sodium borate and 25 g zinc sulphate), (4) pollarding trees at 4 m height with application of N, P, K and trace elements, (5) drenching with the flowering promoter Paclobutrazol (0.25 ml active ingredient per cm of stem girth) along with N, P, K and trace elements. At Panampalli, a higher-rainfall site in Kerala State, only treatments 1, 2 and 3 were applied. Four replicates of treatment plots sized 18 m × 18 m, with 22–32 trees per plot were set up in each orchard in randomized complete block designs. Untreated plots of E. camaldulensis and E. tereticornis at Pudukkottai displayed 12 and 21% fertile trees, respectively, in the first year of monitoring, while at Panampally the percentage of fertile trees in untreated E. camaldulensis plots was higher at 72%, and that of E. tereticornis similar at 23%. Both species attained greater stem diameter at breast height at age 9 years at the higher-rainfall location but there was no significant impact of fertilizer application on 9-year diameter at either site. Diameter was reduced by pollarding and Paclobutrazol application at Pudukkottai. Only Paclobutrazol produced a significant increase in fertility in both species for four successive years, increasing the percentage of fertile trees to 59 and 71%, respectively, for E. camaldulensis and E. tereticornis 1 year after application. The number of capsules produced per tree also increased significantly with Paclobutrazol application, although the difference was comparatively less by the fourth year. The number of capsules per umbel did not differ significantly between locations, whereas the germination rate varied between treatments although no consistent trends were observed.     

Growth models for six Eucalyptus species in Angola

This study developed growth models for Eucalyptus saligna Sm., E. camaldulensis Dehnh., E. macarthurii H.Deane & Maiden, E. resinifera Sm., E. siderophloia Benth. and E. grandis Hill ex. Maiden, for the central highlands of Angola, and used these models to simulate the development of stand characteristics. The obtained model set included dominant height, diameter increment, tree height and self-thinning models. The study was based on 10 499 radial increment observations measured on cores taken from about 700 trees growing in 22 plots located in seven sites in the Angolan highlands. The model set makes it possible to simulate stand development on an individual tree basis. Comparison of simulated stand development and measurements indicated good performance of the models. A non-linear fixed-effects diameter increment model performed best for most species, but a non-calibrated linear mixed-effects model used with the Snowdon correction was better for E. saligna and E. macarthurii. This study showed a similar dominant height development of young stands as found in most previous studies done for southern Africa. Some differences emerged at older ages.     

Eucalyptus plantations in Israel: an assessment of economic and environmental viability

This paper discusses a plantation management approach involving a combination of “short” and “long” rotations designed to allow farmers to receive income from trees as soon as possible after establishment. We present results from two plots that represent extreme conditions: (a) a seasonally waterlogged, non-saline site (Nahalal), and (b) a saline site (Ginnegar) located in the Yizre’el Valley, Israel. Six improved seed sources, four of Eucalyptus camaldulensis and two of E. occidentalis, were examined. The local Israeli seed source of E. camaldulensis (HA) performed best at both sites. In Nahalal, the short rotation thinning of the slower growing (50%) plantation trees could provide economic returns approximately five years after establishment. The calculated mean annual increment (MAI) of these trees reached 12.2 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. The long rotation, or better performing half of the plantation trees, could be used as a source of sawn timber, providing higher-value products. By nine years after establishment, the average DBH of the various seed sources reached 25.8 ± 1.9 cm. The calculated MAI of the combined cutting rotations reached 48.3 t ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Eucalyptus grown under the combined (short- and long-term) management approach at Nahalal was more profitable than many other non-irrigated local crops. Eucalyptus production in Ginnegar would be less profitable than in Nahalal. However, an additional ecological benefit was provided by the crop’s ability to lower the water table. When this contribution to regional drainage is taken into account, trees become economically competitive with other non-irrigated field crops under saline conditions. Jim Morris–Deceased.     

Genetic parameters and expected gains from selection for monoterpene yields in Petford Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Genetic parameters were estimated for yield of 1,8-cineole and total monoterpenes as a fraction of leaf weight in nineteen open-pollinated families of Petford origin at 3.75 years in two progeny/provenance trials of E. camaldulensis in Zimbabwe. Both traits appear to be highly heritable and, as expected, were strongly genetically correlated, with narrow-sense individual heritabilities near 0.50. Expected gain in the first generation following individual selection in the trials of one tree in 10 for either trait is about 25–32%.Genetic correlations between growth traits and 1,8-cineole yield were small. This indicates that both traits might be improved concurrently thus enhancing the economics of growing Petford E. camaldulensis for wood and medicinal oil. However, the presence of moderate and unfavourable genetic correlations between growth traits and total yield of monoterpenes warrants further study. It was not possible to gauge the significance of apparent family × site interaction for 1,8-cineole yield in this study. However, a test of rank correlation showed an association (Ip<0.01) between family rankings on each site and the highest-yielding trees on both sites came from the same families. This raises the possibility of being able to select individuals for cloning that yield well over a range of site conditions.