The Australian New Crops Newsletter

Issue No 4, July 1995.

NOTICE: Hard copies of the Australian New Crops Newsletter are available from the publisher, Dr Rob Fletcher. Details of availability are included in the Advice on Publications Available.

21.5 Comparative Performance of Cuttings and Seedlings of Blue Mallee When Grown for Oil Production

M. Parsons
Honours project (Australian National University, 1993).

Studies on the ability of Eucalyptus polybractea cuttings to coppice following harvesting at ground level, and the ability of these to develop lignotubers are reported. Coppice development was investigated six months after the first harvest of a two-year old field trial near West Wyalong, NSW. Selected trees were subjected to an experimental second cut at three heights above ground, and assessed after two months. These studies showed that numerous factors influence coppicing including the length of live stem above and below ground, location of shoots prior to harvest and leaf area retained. Also, coppicing success can be enhanced by manipulating planting depth and harvest height.

Lignotuber development was examined on two and four year old cuttings grown under field and glasshouse conditions. Microscopy was used to examine the wood structure of lignotubers and other swellings developing on cuttings. The study showed that lignotubers developed on cuttings at the first node above the roots. Also, swellings were observed at nodal locations below ground level on some two year old cuttings, and may be incipient lignotubers.

The studies conclude that-

  1. E. polybractea cuttings coppice successfully after harvesting, and the presence of lignotubers is not critical for this process, and
  2. E. polybractea cuttings are capable of developing lignotubers.

Any claims made by authors in the Australian New Crops Newsletter are presented by the Editors in good faith. Readers would be wise to critically examine the circumstances associated with any claims to determine the applicability of such claims to their specific set of circumstances. This material can be reproduced, with the provision that the source and the author (or editors, if applicable) are acknowledged and the use is for information or educational purposes. Contact with the original author is probably wise since the material may require updating or amendment if used in other publications. Material sourced from the Australian New Crops Newsletter cannot be used out of context or for commercial purposes not related to its original purpose in the newsletter

Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email: r.fletcher@mailbox.uq.edu.au

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originally created by: GK; latest update 6 June 1999 by: RF