Variation in Growth Traits and Wood Density in Whitewood (Endospermum medullosum): a Major Timber Species in Vanuatu

International Forestry Review 14(4):476-485. 2012 
https://doi.org/10.1505/146554812804715946

Variation de traits de croissance et de densité du bois pour le bois blanc (Endospermum Medullosum), une essence de bois majeure à Vanuatu
Variación en las características de crecimiento y densidad de la madera en madera blanca (Endospermum medullosum): una de las principales especies maderables de Vanuatu

Author

J. Doran

, 

D. Bush

, 

T. Page

, 

K. Glencross

, 

M. Sethy

 and 

I. Viji

[-] Author & Article Info

Author Affiliations

J. Doran

Australian Tree Seed Centre, CSIRO Plant Industry, Black Mountain Laboratories, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.Email: John.Doran@csiro.au

D. Bush

Australian Tree Seed Centre, CSIRO Plant Industry, Black Mountain Laboratories, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

T. Page

School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, PO Box 6811 Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia.

K. Glencross

Forest Research Centre, School of Environmental Science and Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia

M. Sethy

Department of Forests Vanuatu, Luganville, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu

I. Viji

Australian Tree Seed Centre, CSIRO Plant Industry, Black Mountain Laboratories, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

SUMMARY

A breeding program aimed at increasing economic value of whitewood plantations in Vanuatu and conserving declining genetic resources will take direction from the results of this study. Genetic parameters for stem diameter breast height over bark (DBHOB), straightness and branching were estimated in an 11.4-year-old whitewood breeding population on Espiritu Santo Island. Wood density variation in one subpopulation was also studied. Trees with the fastest growth and best form were from Espiritu Santo. Growth and form trait heritability estimates ( = 0.10–0.16) were low to moderate, with moderate phenotypic variation (CVP = 17–36%). DBHOB at 11.4-years and 4-years were very closely genetically correlated (rA = 1.00 ± 0.17). Mean unextracted wood basic density at breast height was 330 (SD±21) kg/m, or similar to mature-tree densities. Economic gain in growth traits can be expected from a recurrent selection and breeding program given the heritable genetic variation indicated in this study. Conserving genetic diversity in this species is a high priority.

Un élevage de production visant à accroître la valeur économique des plantations de bois blanc à Vanuatu et à conserver les ressources génétiques déclinantes va prendre sa direction à partir des résultats de cette étude. Les paramètres génétiques pour le diamètre du tronc à hauteur de poitrine écorce inclue (DBHOB), la droiture et le branchage ont été estimés dans une population de production de bois blanc de 11.4 ans sur l'île d'Espiritu Santo. La variation de densité du bois dans une population différente a elle aussi été étudiée. Les arbres à croissance la plus rapide et les plus droits provenaient d'Espiritu Santo. Les estimations de croissance et d' héritabilité des traits ( = 0.10–0.16) étaient de basses à modérées, avec une variation phénotypique modérée (CVP = 17–36%). Les DBHOB à 11.4 ans et à 4 ans faisaient preuve d'une corrélation génétique très proche (rA = 1.00±0.17). La densité de base moyenne du bois non extrait à hauteur de poitrine était de 330 (SD±21) kg/m, ou semblable aux densités des arbres mûrs. Le gain économique provenant des traits de croissance peut être attendu d'une sélection récurrente et d'un élevage de production basé sur la variation génétique d'héritabilité indiquée dans cette étude. La conservation de la diversité génétique de cette espèce est une haute priorité.

Los resultados de este estudio guiar´n un programa de mejora dirigido a incrementar el valor económico de las plantaciones de madera blanca en Vanuatu y a conservar unos recursos genéticos actualmente en declive. Se estimaron paramètres genéticos para el fuste como el diamètre a la altura del pecho con corteza (DAPcc), la rectitud y la ramosidad de una población de mejora de madera blanca de 11,4 años de edad, en la isla de Espíritu Santo. También se estudió la variation en la densidad de la madera en una subpoblación. Los árboles con el crecimiento más rápido y mejor forma procedían de Espiritu Santo. Las heredabilidades estimadas para los rasgos de crecimiento y forma ( = 0,10–0,16) fueron bajas a moderadas, con una variación fenotípica moderada (CVP = 17–36%). Se encontre una correlación genética muy fuerte (rA = 1,00 ±0,17) entre el DAPcc a los 11,4 años y los 4 años. La densidad básica media de la madera (no libre de extractos) a la altura del pecho fue de 330 (SD±21) kg/m, o similar a las densidades de árboles maduros. En virtud de la variación genética heredable encontrada en este estudio se pueden esperar ganancias económicas en las características de crecimiento mediante una selección continua y un programa de mejoramiento. Se considera que la conservación de la diversidad genética de esta especie tiene una alta prioridad.

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Cited by

D.J. Settle, T. Page, D. Bush, J. Doran, M. Sethy and I. Viji. (2012) Basic Density, Diameter and Radial Variation of Vanuatu Whitewood (Endospermum medullosum): Potential for Breeding in a Low Density, Tropical Hardwood. International Forestry Review 14:4, 463-475.
Online publication date: 9-Jan-2013.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (223 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

R. Viranamangga, G. Palmer and K. Glencross. (2012) Plantation-Grown Whitewood Timber in Vanuatu: Challenges and Opportunities for Export and Domestic Use. International Forestry Review 14:4, 486-491.
Online publication date: 9-Jan-2013.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (201 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

A.G. Bartlett, J.D. Nichols and J.K. Vanclay. (2012) Editorial: Domesticating Native Tree Species for Development in Small Island Nations. International Forestry Review 14:4, 399-401.
Online publication date: 9-Jan-2013.

Citation : Full Text : PDF (51 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

R. Aru, J.D. Nichols, J.C. Grant, A.J. Leys, K. Glencross, M. Sethy, K. Convery and R. Viranamangga. (2012) Constraints to Whitewood (Endospermum medullosum) Plantation Development on Santo Island, Vanuatu. International Forestry Review 14:4, 414-423.
Online publication date: 9-Jan-2013.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (213 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

J.D. Nichols and J.K. Vanclay. (2012) Domestication of Native Tree Species for Timber Plantations: Key Insights for Tropical Island Nations. International Forestry Review 14:4, 402-413.
Online publication date: 9-Jan-2013.

Abstract & References : Full Text : PDF (262 KB) : Rights & Permissions 

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