Provenance Variation of<i>Eucalyptus nitens</i>on the Eastern Transvaal Highveld in South Africa
Abstract
SYNOPSIS Eucalyptus nitens is a promising species for commercial afforestation in the cooler-temperate, humid region of South Africa where frosts are moderate to severe. In a trial of 12 provenances representing most of the entire natural range of the species and established at two locations on the Eastern Transvaal Highveld, the provenances from New South Wales, Australia, had greater height, diameter at breast height and volume growth after four years than the provenances from Victoria, Australia. All provenances were affected by a leafspot disease on the juvenile foliage caused by Mycosphaerella nubilosa, formerly identified as M. molleriana, which leads to premature defoliation. The New South Wales provenances had less defoliation than the Victorian provenances. Results from this trial and other trials in South Africa have been used to recommend further testing of populations within all New South Wales provenances.