Investigation on adaptability and performance of industrial Eucalyptus provenances at Khorramabad in Lorestan province

The different species form the genus Eucalyptusspp. are amongst the most important fast growing tree types of Oceania which have been planted in Iran for more than 50 years. In particular, the Eucalyptus trees were vastly planted in the southern parts of the country, from which the old-growth trees are still found in Lorestan (e.g. Malavi region) and Fars provinces. The applications to produce wood pulp, paper and leaf oils are amongst the motivations for future industrial and medicinal uses. In this study, the adaptation and performance of different industrial Eucalyptus ecotypes in Lorestan province were tested. A range of species including E. globulus (spp. bicostata), E. globulus (spp. maidenii), E. nitens, E. viminalis (spp. cygnetensis), E. camadulensis (var. obtus)and E. suggrandis (spp. suggrandis)were planted with 3 m distance within a complete randomized block design in a 2-ha field and were monitored for a 7-year period. The comparison of means by Duncan test showed the E. camadulensis (spp. obtus) and E. globulus (spp. maidenii)to be superior regarding the majority of their investigated properties in 99% confidence level.