GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF <em>EUCALYPTUS</em> IN HAWAII

Abstract

The genetic improvement of Eucalyptus in Hawaii is largely at the preliminary stage. The evaluation of the performance of various tropical hardwood species, provenances, and progenies in field trials at environmentally diverse sites in Hawaii is in progress. Assessmeint of the genetic variability within some of the existing germplasm has been completed. This paper describes the initial Eucalyptus breeding efforts underway in Hawaii and a recommended strategy for an appropriate long-term tree improvement programme. For the short-term, the establishment of seed production areas from provenance trials is featured as the most cost effective and time-efficient strategy for achieving tree improvement goals in Hawaii. For long-term sustainable tree production, seed orchards are recommended. To complement the seed orchard strategy, operational clones may be developed through rigorous field testing of selected plus-tree clones in targeted plantation areas to exploit both additive and nonadditive genetic potential.