Review of Cold-Tolerant Eucalyptus Improvement in Fujian Province

摘要

Some cold-tolerant Eucalyptus species or provenance/family trials established in Fujian province since the late 1980s are reviewed. Results confirmed the feasibility of successful eucalypt plantations in northwestern Fujian. Species such as E. grandis, E. saligna and E. dunnii grew well and were most cold-tolerant. Growth of E. camaldulensis was comparatively fast in young stands but slow in older stands, so its performance should be tested for a longer period. All provenance/family trials showed considerable variance of growth and cold tolerance among trees, families and provenances. Variance among trees seems to be greatest. It suggested that cold-tolerant Eucalyptus improvement has high potential to increase volume growth of plantations. Integration of plus tree selection and rapid clonal propagation is an effective method to greatly increase genetic gain.