Effect of Clone and Sites for Wood Properties of Fast Grown Teak and Determination of The Best Clone for Next Cultivation in Teak Plantation Industries

Abstract

Cloning copies all of the characteristics of an individual, not just the optimal characteristics, and thus the clonal plantations have a vital role in increasing forest productivity. Determination of the surviving clone with the best properties in all plantation sites may assure uniformity in wood properties. Determination of the surviving clone with the best properties in all plantation sites may assure uniformity in wood properties. The more uniform the wood properties, the higher price the industries are willing to pay. This study aimed to investigate wood properties variation within and between selected clones at two different plantations of super teak, in order to investigate the effect of genetic or environment on wood properties and to determine the best clone for subsequent cultivation based on the wood properties. Research was conducted on three clones of 5-year old fast grown teak at two locations. The results showed that genetic factor more influenced the uniformity of wood color. Furthermore, site effect was more dominant on wood density, wood hardness, and radial unit shrinkage, while MOE, fibre length, and ‘crystallinity’ were affected by genetic effect. Effect of clone was not clear on radial and tangential shrinkage, tangential unit shrinkage and MOR. In the case of fast grown teak, Clone B can be recommended for future plantation at both sites.