Extent Variation of Wood Density and Fiber Characteristics among Half-sib families of Eucalyuptus camaldulensis at Nursery Stage

Abstract

Thirty five half-sib families of Eucalyptus camaldulensis were used in this study. Seeds were planted in four replications; tow levels of compound fertilizer (zero and 4 g per bag) and tow irrigation regimes (once every three and six day) were applied. Twelve variables were measured and calculated; wood basic density at height 10 cm and 50 cm above the ground, fiber length, fiber diameter, fiber lumen diameter, double wall thickness, Runkle ratio, slenderness ratio, coefficient of suppleness, volume of fiber and number of fiber per cubic centimeter. Significant differences in wood basic density at ten centimeter and at fifty centimeter (p=0.01) and the arithmetic mean, fiber length, fiber diameter, fiber lumen diameter, Runkle ratio, slenderness ratio, coefficient suppleness, volume of fiber and number of fiber per cm3 among half-sib families were found. While the double wall thickness significantly were not different. Fertilization and irrigation had no significant effect on all variables except the basic density at ten centimeter which significantly was affected by fertilization and interaction of fertilization and irrigation. It was smaller when fertilized than non-fertilized and when seedlings were irrigated every three days than six days. There are significant differences of the interaction of half-sib families with fertilization in basic density at ten centimeter, fiber lumen diameter, Runkle ratio and coefficient suppleness. The results of heritability indicate that basic density at ten centimeter has the lowest value of heritability and the volume of fiber has the highest one.