Pollen management and controlled pollination in Eucalyptus urophylla

Abstract

The genus Eucalyptus has shown great potential for the establishment of commercial forest plantations, it is one of the most widely planted worldwide, it is planted in different regions of the planet, which indicates its ability to adapt to various environmental conditions. Eucalyptus urophylla is a species of this genus that adapts to tropical and subtropical regions, in suitable sites it can achieve high growth rates. It is one of the species with the most research in breeding programs in the world, mainly due to its capacity to hybridize naturally, since it generates populations with high genetic diversity, coupled with its ability to reproduce asexually. In Mexico, the breeding programs for Eucalyptus urophylla are in the initial phase, although plantations are already managed under clonal silviculture, controlled crossing are just beginning, so pollen management and crossing techniques are the most important activities in these programs. Since there is currently no information about the management of pollen for Eucalyptus urophylla in Mexico, the aim of this paper is to show a methodology based on the information documented in other parts of the world and the recent experience acquired in the collection and management of pollen, as well as the controlled pollination techniques recently employed in the breeding programs of Eucalyptus urophylla in southeastern Mexico.