PROVENANCE VARIATION OF STEM VOLUME AND WOOD DENSITY OF <em>PINUS</em> <em>CARIBAEA</em> VAR. <em>HONDURENSIS</em> GROWING AT TWO LOCATIONS IN QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

Abstract

Provenance trials of Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis of the international series coordinated by the Oxford Forestry Institute, University of Oxford, were established at ten sites in Queensland, Australia. Assessments at two of the trials, Beerburrum and Byfield, established in 1973, were carried out in 1979 to determine volume under bark (VUB) and wood density (DEN). These two traits and the derived indices of within sample density variation (VAR) and dry matter index (DMI) were analyzed. Statistically, there were significant differences (p<0.05) for VAR, VUB and DMI at Beerburrum as well as for VAR at Byfield. The thirteen provenances common to both locations produced 23% more VUB at Beerburrum. The provenances Guanaja and Santa Clara were ranked above the trial means for VUB and DMI while Rio Coco was ranked below the trial means for the two traits. The Queensland selections included in the trials were superior for VUB production relative to the majority of the introduced provenances.