Species-Provenance Variation in Growth, Stem Form and Wood Traits of Casuarina

Twenty provenances of six species of Casuarina (C. cristata, C. cunninghamiana, C. equisetifolia, C, glauca, C. junghuhniana, and C. obesa) were field tested for growth, stem straightness, bark, wood and fibre characters in Karunya, Tamil Nadu, India. Results obtained at 12 years ageshowedthat C. junghuhniana was the most adaptable and fastest growing species with 54% more volume production than the next ranking and widely cultivated species, C. equisetifolia. The SW Soe provenance of C. junghuhniana was the best provenance which recorded around 36% more volume than the species average and the best provenance of C. equisetifolia. The stem straightness was the best in C. cunninghamiana making it suitable for pole production. Bark thickness, wood density, moisture content and fibre traits varied significantly among species and provenances providing opportunity to select for different end uses like paper and fuelwood production. Since no adverse correlation was found between growth and wood traits, selections can be made independently for different traits. Testing of more provenances of C. cunninghamiana and C. cristata from northern latitudes and hybridization between species to combine desirable traits are proposed for effective utilization of genetic resources to increase plantation productivity.