Genotypic variation in wood properties and growth traits of Eucalyptus hybrid clones in southern China

Growth traits, wood properties and bark percentage were assessed for 19 hybrid eucalypt clones at three sites in southern China sampled at age 51 months. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences in growth traits and wood properties between clones and sites, and that the clone × site interactions were also significant except for basic density. Coefficients of variation ranged from 8.4 to 27.9% for growth traits, 2.7–11.1% for wood properties and 14.0–23.3% for bark percentage. Repeatability ranged from 0.73 to 0.96 for growth traits, 0.32–0.93 for wood properties and 0.77–0.88 for bark percentage. Strong genotypic correlations between the same traits in clones at pairs of sites indicated that the traits were rather stable across sites. The genotypic correlations between growth traits and basic density ranged from −0.67 to 0.43, and generally favorable negative genotypic correlations between growth traits and bark percentage were also found. The correlations between growth traits and Pilodyn pin penetration were positive, ranging from 0.28 to 0.65 and therefore unfavorable as lower wood density will be associated with higher values of Pilodyn pin penetration and improved growth rate. The correlations between traits assessed using non-destructive field methods and wood property assessment results indicated that Pilodyn and Fakopp microsecond timer tools can be confidently used to indirectly select for fiber width and basic density.