PREUMINARY GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF Eucalyptus microcorys PROVENANCES IN THE UP-COUNTRY INTERMEDIATE AND WET ZONES

Abstract

Eucalyptus microcorys is the main forest plantation species producing highquality timber in the wet and intermediate zones 0/ the up-country of Sri Lanka.Veryfew attempts have been made in the past to select genotypes of this speciesJill' better growth and till/bel' yield. Two field trials have now been made with sixseedlots FOI/J the CSIRO, A ustralia. The first experiment, at Dixon's Corner inthe up-country wet zone, showed that the provenance "NW of Wauchope '.' (NewSouth Wales) performed well compared with the local landrace. The secondexperiment was established in both the dry and wet zones of the up-country. Theprovenances "Kendall" from New South Wales and "~II kill W of Beerbu ".fi-OlllQueensland performed well in the wet zone, compared with the other testedprovenances, but in the intermediate zone the growth rates of the importedprovenances did not show any remarkable differences /1'011I that of the locallane/race.