Eucalyptus Genotypes Water Use and Site Interactions on Water Resource Sustainability and Productivity

Abstract

Water use, water use efficiency, and water use sustainability are challenging issues for the expansion of Eucalyptus plantations around the world nowadays. Fast-growing species’ effects on water resources are of concern to society, and the forest industry wonders about the effects on productivity and water sustainability under climate change. We evaluated growth, water use, and water use efficiency response at canopy closure (3 to 4 years of age) of eight selected E. globulus, E. nitens, and E. nitens × globulus (E. gloni) genotypes at four contrasting environments. Across sites and genotypes, the growth rate and water use ranged from 35–70-m3/ha/year and 350 to 900 mm ha−1. Despite specific genotype cases, our results showed similar water use vs. productivity relationships for a single taxon (90 m3 of water per m3 of wood) but suggested large differences among taxa across sites. Our results suggest that hybrids may provide large productivity benefits but may need a more precise understanding of their physiological mechanisms. Interesting opportunities exist for matching genotypes to sites in order to reduce environmental concerns on water resource use for Eucalyptus plantations.

Keywords

• water use
• water sustainability
• clonal
• growth efficiency
• eucaliptus