Indirect estimation of wood density for selection of Eucalyptus pellita F. Muell. clones using pilodyn

Abstract

The study presents the results of a comparison between Pilodyn and other direct estimates such as disks and cores, to determine wood density of Eucalyptus pellita F. Muell clones.The accuracy of Pilodynas a reliable selection criteria for determining the density in standing trees was evaluated. The analysis was based on a collection of ten clones developed by Reforestadora de la Costa, in the Orinoquia of Colombia as part of their breeding program. Wood density of cores and disks were calculated based on the standard water displacement method. The results confirm E. pellita is a high density species, with an average value of 580 kg/m3, based on disks. The estimates of clonal heritability for the three methods were high and similar (between 0.47 and 0.55), as were the phenotypic and genetic correlations between them (between 0.43 and 0.96). This indicates that Pilodyn is an effective indirect selection tool for assessing wood density of E. pellita clones, especially when many individuals need to be assessed per clone. However, Pilodynis not recommended as a tool for selecting individuals.

Keywords

• densidad básica, heredabilidad, genética, método no destructivo, selección clonal