Eucalypt Domestication and Breeding

Fast-growing eucalypts help to meet the demand for wood throughout the warmer parts of the world. They are grown in numerous small woods and windbreaks to produce poles and firewood, and in extensive plantations mainly for the pulp and paper industries. This book shows how to breed improved eucalypts that will provide more and better wood on appropriate sites selected through sound land planning. The emphasis is on making greater use of the immense richness of thegenetic resources of the eucalypts, especially in the first generation or two of domestication 'wild' eucalypts for wood production. This book covers those aspects of variation, selection, and reproduction that are unique to eucalypts. Large gains in production and quality can be obtained relativelycheaply by choosing the best geographic seed sources (provenances). Once suitable base populations have been assembled, continued long-term genetic gain can be assured through well-planned recurrent selection and mating.

Eucalypt domestication and breeding, is important and it is doubly so because of the breadth and depth of the experience of its well-known authors who, together with Arne Brune, conceived the idea when the IUFRO Working Party on eucalypts was formed in 1977 ... the authors have come up with a nice balance of chapters ... A great deal of very useful practical advice on breeding and seed production techniques is given ... Overall the book not only contains a large amount of very useful information and stimulating discussion, it is also a delight to read for the story it tells. Although this book will be an important addition to any forestry library, it is, as the authors say, directed very much towards the practising tree breeder; he or she and many others will benefit from having a copy for easy reference and to dip into for the many fascinating bits of information that are contained in it., The book should be of lasting value, not only to practicing breeders but to anyone wishing to appreciate the perspective of a group of scientists actively involved in the exciting task of bringing a major genus of plants 'in from the wild' for the first time., The quality of diagrams and the rich supply of illustrative photographs make reading a pleasure whilst the list of reference is highly impressive ... I'm sure all forestry universities, research stations and overseas consultants will find it invaluable., The book should be of lasting value, not only to practicing breeders but to anyone wishing to appreciate the perspective of a group of scientists actively involved in the exciting task of bringing a major genus of plants 'in from the wild' for the first time., Essential reading for all foresters concerned with Eucalypts.