Abstract
Traditional methods of assessing wood properties are both destructive and expensive, limiting the numbers of samples that can be processed. Over the past decade, non-destructive sampling techniques and new assessment methods have been developed leading to a large in- crease in the numbers of trees and traits that can be evaluated. This technology has enabled the assessment of progeny trials to determine the pat- terns of variation, degree of genetic control and economic importance of many wood traits, leading to the inclusion of wood properties in many eucalypt-breeding programs. Issues addressed in this paper include the potential markets and products for plantation eucalypts leading to a defi- nition of which wood properties should be assessed for a range of products. Current recommendations for non-destructive sampling for basic density, fibre length and predicted pulp yield in Eucalyptus globulus and E. nitens are provided. Other non-destructive assessment techniques are illustrated including cellulose content, acoustic testing methods for wood stiffness and SilviScan X-ray densitometry and diffraction analysis for density and microfibril angle. The degree of genetic control for wood properties is compared to tree growth traits and a series of issues and chal- lenges for the future presented. eucalypt / breeding / wood quality / genetic parameters / non-destructive sampling
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