Eucalyptus grandisseed source variation for growth and form in the southern Murray-Darling Basin

Abstract

Summary Eucalyptus grandis is one of the favoured species for future farm forestry in the southern Murray-Darling Basin. To examine growth performance of and genetic variation in this species when growing in the region, a field trial of trees from 18 of its natural seed sources was established at Loxton South Australia in 1988. After 5 1/2 years growth with irrigation, mean dominant height in the trial was 18.7 m and the mean diameter at breast height was 11.0 cm. The best source for growth was from Boambee State Forest (New South Wales) and the poorest was Baldy State Forest (Queensland). Significant correlations existed between seed source latitude and height growth, between seed source altitude and height growth, and between seed source distance from the sea and height growth. More southern seed sources from lower altitudes closer to the sea tended to show better growth.