Non-Destructive Selection of Genotypes with Better Wood Properties from Morphologically Superior Genotypes of Eucalyptus pellita

Tree improvement in forestry aims at identifying superior genotypes so as to obtain higher productivity in a shorter period. While selecting superior genotypes, morphological traits like height and girth are given due importance. It is now realized that considering wood quality parameters is essential as it can be highly variable in seemingly identical trees. This would not only reduce the breeding cycle but also enhance the economic value for the growers and ultimately improve the quality of wood-based products. Documenting wood quality traits has always been difficult as they are mostly determined through destructive procedures which are time-consuming and restrictive in terms of a large number of samples. To overcome these limitations, non-destructive tools can be effectively used to obtain information on wood quality parameters in populations and identify superior genotypes. Here we have used non-destructive tools like Pilodyn wood tester and stress wave timer to identify Eucalyptus pellita genotypes having superior wood quality (wood density and stiffness) from 52 selected morphologically better genotypes. Considerable variation exists among the morphologically superior genotypes for Pilodyn penetration (10–17 mm) and stress wave velocity (3.36–4.42 km/s). Ultimately, 26 genotypes have been identified which are superior both in terms of morphology as well as wood quality traits. These genotypes can be used for further propagation and improvement studies in E. pellita.