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Genetic Variation In Shrinkage Properties Of Eucalyptus Pilularis Assessed Using Increment Cores And Test Blocks, Marie-Chantale Pelletier, Michael Henson, Steve Boyton, Dane Thomas, Jerome K. Vanclay

Professor Jerome K Vanclay

Assessments of genetic variation in wood properties are difficult and expensive to carry out. As a consequence, the inclusion of wood quality traits in eucalypt breeding programs has to date been limited. This study is part of a large investigation into the use of non-destructive methods of assessing wood properties by comparing the results with traditional destructive methods. This component of the study investigates the genetic variation in linear shrinkage of 152 open-pollinated families of Eucalyptus pilularis (Smith). Increment cores and test blocks were used to assess radial and tangential shrinkage as well as their ratio. Shrinkage results at 17% …