In South Africa the genus, Eucalyptus plays an important role as a major economic component in the forest and mining sector. Unfortunately, this genus has problems due to damage by pests. The Eucalyptus snout beetle, Gonipterus scutellatus, feeds and defoliates the leaves of eucalypts. Plants produce secondary metabolites, which protects them against defoliation by insects and herbivores. This study focuses on the variations of total soluble phenolic content of nine Eucalyptus species between the species and within the species throughout the year. Total soluble phenols were quantified with the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent. There was a general increase in the concentration of total soluble phenols throughout the year. The content of total soluble phenols were generally higher compared to carbohydrates. This experiment needs to be done on a continuous basis so as to formulate a screening method for eucalypt species that are resistant to G. scutellatus. / Dissertation (M Inst Agrar (Sustainable Insect Management))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

In South Africa, the genus Eucalyptus plays an important role as a plantation tree and hence forms a major economic component in the forest sector. An insect pest of these Eucalyptus species, Gonipterus scutellatus, causes periodic defoliation in the plantations. Plants have extraordinary array of chemicals (secondary metabolites), which defend them from herbivores. This study reports on the seasonal variation of the tannin concentration and carbohydrate content of the leaves of nine Eucalyptus species. Soluble tannins were quantified using Hagerman test and the carbohydrate content with a refractometer. Generally high tannin concentrations were observed during spring and late summer with low concentrations during autumn and winter. During the months of February, April, July tannin concentration was usually found to be higher than the carbohydrate content. The higher concentration of tannin could be linked to the allocation of carbon for the production of tannin instead of carbohydrates for growth. / Dissertation (MInst Agrar)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T18:56:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ana Ligia de Lima Moreira.pdf: 470645 bytes, checksum: dc0cc6ef6e081e24adebeec6a29fe865 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-10-04 / The objective of this study was to evaluate biochemical characteristics of agronomic interest in isolates of Bacillus sp., Originating from the rhizosphere of Eucalyptus and its effect on growth of seedlings of Eucalyptus urograndis. The project was conducted under laboratory and greenhouse. From the isolation of bacteria from the rhizosphere of plants originating from different municipalities in the region west of São Paulo, were obtained from 127 isolates of Bacillus spp. Tests were performed biochemical characterization of bacterial isolates on the antagonism of pathogenic fungi, production of auxin, ammonia production and enzyme activity. In the final step we evaluated the potential of the isolates for growth promotion eucalyptus seedlings and growing plants in a greenhouse for 90 days. We evaluated growth parameters of Eucalyptus aiming to select the best individual and also correlate the different variables at work. The bioprospecting protocol isolates of Bacillus sp. the soil was valid to meet rhizobacteria promising for growing Eucalyptus urograndis. Five isolates were selected as promising for action on growth of Eucalyptus urograndis. The potential antagonistic to pathogenic fungi found in isolates of rhizobacteria helpful in the initial selection of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria eucalyptus, it showed significant correlation with plant growth. / Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar características bioquímicas de interesse agronômico em isolados de Bacillus sp., originários da rizosfera de eucalipto e seu efeito no crescimento de mudas de Eucalyptus urograndis. O projeto foi conduzido em condições de laboratório e casa de vegetação. A partir do isolamento de bactérias da rizosfera de plantas, oriundas de diferentes municípios da região oeste paulista, foram obtidos 127 isolados de Bacillus spp. Foram realizados testes bioquímicos para caracterização dos isolados bacterianos quanto ao antagonismo de fungos fitopatogênicos, produção de auxinas, produção de amônia e atividade enzimática. Na etapa final foi avaliado o potencial dos isolados para promoção de crescimento mudas de eucalipto e cultivo das plantas em casa de vegetação durante 90 dias. Avaliou-se parâmetros de crescimento do eucalipto objetivando-se selecionar os melhores isolados e também correlacionar as diferentes variáveis analisadas no trabalho. O protocolo de bioprospecção de isolados de Bacillus sp. no solo foi válido para se encontrar rizobactérias promissoras para o crescimento de Eucalyptus urograndis. Foram selecionados cinco isolados como promissores para ação no crescimento de Eucalyptus urograndis. O potencial antagônico a fungos fitopatogênicos encontrados nos isolados de rizobactérias foi útil na fase inicial de seleção de rizobactérias promotoras do crescimento de eucalipto, pois apresentou correlação significativa com o crescimento das plantas.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:51:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ana Ligia de Lima Moreira.pdf: 470645 bytes, checksum: dc0cc6ef6e081e24adebeec6a29fe865 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-10-04 / The objective of this study was to evaluate biochemical characteristics of agronomic interest in isolates of Bacillus sp., Originating from the rhizosphere of Eucalyptus and its effect on growth of seedlings of Eucalyptus urograndis. The project was conducted under laboratory and greenhouse. From the isolation of bacteria from the rhizosphere of plants originating from different municipalities in the region west of São Paulo, were obtained from 127 isolates of Bacillus spp. Tests were performed biochemical characterization of bacterial isolates on the antagonism of pathogenic fungi, production of auxin, ammonia production and enzyme activity. In the final step we evaluated the potential of the isolates for growth promotion eucalyptus seedlings and growing plants in a greenhouse for 90 days. We evaluated growth parameters of Eucalyptus aiming to select the best individual and also correlate the different variables at work. The bioprospecting protocol isolates of Bacillus sp. the soil was valid to meet rhizobacteria promising for growing Eucalyptus urograndis. Five isolates were selected as promising for action on growth of Eucalyptus urograndis. The potential antagonistic to pathogenic fungi found in isolates of rhizobacteria helpful in the initial selection of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria eucalyptus, it showed significant correlation with plant growth. / Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar características bioquímicas de interesse agronômico em isolados de Bacillus sp., originários da rizosfera de eucalipto e seu efeito no crescimento de mudas de Eucalyptus urograndis. O projeto foi conduzido em condições de laboratório e casa de vegetação. A partir do isolamento de bactérias da rizosfera de plantas, oriundas de diferentes municípios da região oeste paulista, foram obtidos 127 isolados de Bacillus spp. Foram realizados testes bioquímicos para caracterização dos isolados bacterianos quanto ao antagonismo de fungos fitopatogênicos, produção de auxinas, produção de amônia e atividade enzimática. Na etapa final foi avaliado o potencial dos isolados para promoção de crescimento mudas de eucalipto e cultivo das plantas em casa de vegetação durante 90 dias. Avaliou-se parâmetros de crescimento do eucalipto objetivando-se selecionar os melhores isolados e também correlacionar as diferentes variáveis analisadas no trabalho. O protocolo de bioprospecção de isolados de Bacillus sp. no solo foi válido para se encontrar rizobactérias promissoras para o crescimento de Eucalyptus urograndis. Foram selecionados cinco isolados como promissores para ação no crescimento de Eucalyptus urograndis. O potencial antagônico a fungos fitopatogênicos encontrados nos isolados de rizobactérias foi útil na fase inicial de seleção de rizobactérias promotoras do crescimento de eucalipto, pois apresentou correlação significativa com o crescimento das plantas.

Com os planos de descarbonização de diversos países do mundo, o contínuo crescimento do mercado mundial dos pellets de madeira tende a aumentar, e para atender a demanda será necessário à inclusão de países emergentes dos quais revelam potencial o Brasil, dado que possui grande vocação na produção sustentável de florestas para produção de madeira do gênero Eucalyptus ssp., que apresenta produtividade entre 30% a 50% superior a qualquer pais do mundo, tornando-se a espécie ideal para produção em escala de biomassa para energia. O problema central consiste em viabilizar a produção sustentável de pellets de madeira, que possam atender a demanda nacional e internacional. Contudo este estudo inicialmente identificou a oferta e demanda de madeira para energia por tipo e fonte, posteriormente foram levantados os potenciais produtivos de florestas energéticas de curta rotação, para atender a iminente demanda nacional e internacional de madeira para energia, e finalmente foram detectados os problemas presentes na biomassa sólida vegetal do gênero Eucalyptus ssp., no Brasil. Como resultado este estudo mostra o potencial de produção sustentável de eucalipto de curtas rotação a 150 km dos portos brasileiros para produção e exportação de pellets, como também tem como resultado uma patente de invenção (BR 10 2016 023862 5) que resulta na extração a níveis aceitáveis pelas normas ENplus e semelhantes das emissões de cloro da madeira, e de metais alcalinos, fator limitante para o uso da biomassa na produção de pellets combustível. Evitando assim a formação de dioxinas, e organoclorados que prejudicam a saúde humana e propiciando também redução da formação de cinzas, diminuindo a corrosão dos equipamentos de combustão para produção de energia através de biocombustíveis sólidos. / The decarbonization plans worldwide, the world market of wood pellets tends to increase, and to meet the world demand it will be necessary to include emerging countries which show potential such as Brazil, as it has a great vocation in sustainable production of Eucalyptus wood and has higher productivity than any other country in the world, it is the ideal forest species for wood pellets production for energy in Brazil. The central problem is to enable the sustainable production, which can meet domestic and international demand of woody biomass for energy. This study initially identified the wood supply and demand for energy by type and source, and it was later raised to the productive potential of energy forests; finally it was detected the problems in solid biomass in Brazil. Results of this study show the sustainable production potential of short rotation Eucalyptus in range of (150 km) of Brazilian ports, aiming to pellets export, as well as this study has resulted in a patent, number: (BR 10 2016 023862 5), resulting in reduced to acceptable levels (ENplus), by the relevant rules of chlorine emissions, thus preventing the formation of dioxins, and allowing removal of alkali metals thereby reducing the formation of ash and decreasing the corrosion of combustion systems for energy production by solid biofuels.

A madeira é a principal variável de custo na produção de polpa celulósica. A polpa celulósica obtida a partir da madeira de folhosas é principalmente utilizada para produção de papéis de escrita e impressão assim como, a produção de papéis para fins sanitários; para estes usos normalmente a polpa celulósica deve ser branqueada. Mundialmente, várias espécies de madeira de folhosas são utilizadas para produção de polpa celulósica de fibra curta, estando entre as principais o híbrido Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla (Brasil), Betula pendula (Finlândia) Eucalyptus globulus (Portugal). Este projeto teve por objetivo: i-avaliar e comparar o desempenho de madeiras de principais espécies utilizadas mundialmente, para produção de polpa celulósica de fibra curta, considerando os aspectos relacionados à qualidade da madeira e polpa, o consumo de reagentes químicos na polpação e também os aspectos relacionados ao rendimento e a capacidade de produção de polpa celulósica; ii-fornecer informações estratégicas para o setor celulósico nacional com relação as possíveis ameaças e as oportunidades apresentadas pelos materiais não utilizados no Brasil, visando o conhecimento e posicionamento em competitividade destas madeiras no mercado mundial de celulose e papel; iii-fornecer subsídios para o programa genético e de melhoramento florestal; iv-posicionar a polpa celulósica de Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla em relação as suas principais concorrentes. Para realização deste trabalho foram coletadas 5 árvores de todas as espécies, sendo considerado o diâmetro médio do povoamento, transportando a madeira em forma de discos e transformadas em cavacos de forma manual; com relação à madeira foram determinadas, densidade básica, dimensões de fibras, composição química e análise anatômica através da microscopia eletrônica de varredura; as condições de cozimento foram ajustadas visando à obtenção de polpa branqueável (número kappa de 17±0.5). Os resultados obtidos mostraram que as espécies de Eucalyptus globulus e E. grandis x E. urophylla 2 apresentaram melhor desempenho no processo de polpação; atingiram a mesma intensidade deslignificação (expressa como número kappa), sendo necessário menor nível de álcali ativo. As matériasprimas citadas apresentaram maior rendimento, maior viscosidade e menor teor de ácidos hexenurônicos. As diferentes matérias-primas estudadas neste trabalho apresentaram características bastante distintas que implicam em diferentes eficiências nos processos de polpação e branqueamento. / Wood is the main variable in the cost of pulp production, besides being a strong component in the final quality of the paper product. Pulps obtained from hardwoods are mainly used in the production of printing and writing papers as well as tissue papers; for these uses, the pulp must be bleached. Several species of hardwoods are used in the production of pulp worldwide. The main ones are the hybrid Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla (Brazil), E. globulus (Portugal), Betula pendula (Finland). The objectives of this research was: 1) to evaluate and compare the performance of woods from the main species used worldwide for hardwood cellulose pulp production, considering the aspects regarding the quality of the wood and pulp, chemicals consumption during pulping, and aspects related to the yield and capacity pulp production; 2) to supply strategic information for the Brazilian pulp and paper sector regarding possible threats and opportunities presented by materials which are not used in Brazil in order to know and compete with these woods in the world market of pulp and paper. In order to accomplish this work, chips were manually obtained from disks. Regarding the wood, the basic density, fibers dimensions, chemical composition and anatomic analysis were conducted. The cooking conditions were adjusted in order to obtain the bleachable pulp (kappa number 17±0.5). The results had shown that the species of Eucalyptus globulus from Portugal and hybrid of Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla 2 had better performance in the kraft pulping process; they had reached the same delignification level, as number kappa, requiring lesser active alkali. The mentioned raw materials showed higher yield, greater viscosity and minor levels of acid hexenurônicos. The raw-materials considered in the research showed clearly distinct characteristics that lead to differences in the pulping and bleaching processes efficiencies and strategies.

Mixed-species plantations of eucalypts and acacias have the potential to improve stand productivity over that of respective monocultures through the facilitative effect of nitrogen-fixation by acacias, and increased resource capture through above- and belowground stratification. However, growth in mixed-species plantations may not be improved compared to that of monocultures when competitive interactions outweigh the effects of improved nutrient availability and resource capture. Careful selection of sites and species is therefore critical to successfully improving stand productivity using mixed-species plantations. This study set out to examine some of the processes and interactions that occur in mixed-species plantations, and the effect nutrient and water availability can have on the growth of mixtures. In three out of four mixed-species field trials examined in this study, growth was not increased in mixtures compared to monocultures. However, in the fourth field trial, heights, diameters, stand volume and aboveground biomass were higher in mixtures of E. globulus and A. mearnsii from 3-4 years after planting. The range in outcomes from mixing species in these four trials shows that a fundamental understanding of the underlying processes is required to enable a greater predictive capacity for the circumstances under which mixtures will be successful. Therefore the growth dynamics, processes and interactions were examined in the mixtures of E. globulus and A. mearnsii. The difference in productivity between mixtures and monocultures in this trial increased with time up to age 11 years, when 1:1 mixtures contained twice the aboveground biomass of E. globulus monocultures. The positive growth response of trees in mixture compared to monocultures was the result of accelerated rates of nutrient cycling, a shift in C allocation and reductions in light competition through canopy stratification. Nitrogen contents of foliage and soil clearly showed that A. mearnsii influenced the N dynamics in this trial. If these changes in N contents were due to N fixation by A. mearnsii, then about 51 and 86 kg N ha-1 yr-1 was fixed in the 1:1 mixtures and A. mearnsii monocultures, respectively. Nitrogen fixation was also examined using the natural abundance method. The delta15N values of foliage collected at 10 years were grouped according to the mycorrhizal status of the host plant. Therefore the discrimination of 15N during transfer from mycorrhizae to the host plant appeared to vary with mycorrhizal status, and the natural abundance of 15N was not used to quantify N fixation. Rates of N and P cycling in litterfall were significantly higher in stands containing at least 25% A. mearnsii (more than 31 kg N ha-1 yr-1 and more than 0.68 kg P ha-1 yr-1) compared to E. globulus monocultures (24 kg N ha-1 yr-1 and 0.45 kg P ha-1 yr-1). Rates of litter decomposition and N and P release were about twice as high in 1:1 mixtures compared to E. globulus monocultures and were even higher in A. mearnsii monocultures. It is therefore important to select N-fixing species that are capable of cycling nutrients quickly between the plant and soil, and that have readily decomposable litter. The total belowground C allocation was not significantly different between mixtures and monocultures (14 to 16 Mg C ha-1 yr-1). However, since aboveground net primary production was greater in 1:1 mixtures, the changes in nutrient availability appears to have increased total productivity (both above- and belowground), and reduced the proportion of C allocated belowground in mixtures compared to E. globulus monocultures. In a pot trial containing mixtures of E. globulus and A. mearnsii both species grew larger in mixture than in monoculture at low N levels, and mixtures were more productive than monocultures. However, at high N levels, E. globulus suppressed A. mearnsii and mixtures were less productive than E. globulus monocultures. Similar effects were found for high and low levels of P. Therefore resource availability can have a strong influence on the interactions and growth of mixtures. The productivity of mixtures may only be increased on sites where the resource for which competition is reduced in mixture is a major limiting growth resource. For example, if N is not a limiting growth factor then an increase in N availability from N-fixation may not increase growth, and the N-fixing species may compete for other resources such as soil P, moisture or light. This study has shown that mixtures containing a N-fixing trees and a non-N-fixing trees can be more productive than monocultures, but that this increase in productivity will only occur on certain sites. Examination of the growth, interactions and processes that occurred in mixtures in this study provide useful information that can aid the selection of species combinations and sites.

Sustaining the socioeconomic and ecological benefits of South African plantation forests is challenging. A more systematic and rapid forest inventory system is required by forest managers. This study investigates the utility of medium (ASTER 15 m) and high (IKONOS 1-4 m) spatial resolution satellite imageries in an effort to improve the remote capture of structural attributes of even-aged Eucalyptus plantations grown in the warm temperate climatic zone of southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The conversion of image data to surface reflectance is a pre-requisite for the establishment of relationships between satellite remote sensing data and ground collected forest structural data. In this study image-based atmospheric correction methods applied on ASTER and IKONOS imagery were evaluated for the purpose of retrieving surface reflectance of plantation forests. Multiple linear regression and canonical correlation analyses were used to develop models for the prediction of plantation forest structural attributes from ASTER data. Artificial neural networks and multiple linear regression were also used to develop models for the assessment of plantation forests structural attributes from IKONOS data. The plantation forest structural attributes considered in this study included: stems per hectare, diameter at breast height, mean tree height, basal area, and volume. In addition, location based stems per hectare were determined using high spatial resolution panchromatic IKONOS data where variable and fixed window sizes of local maxima were employed. The image-based dark object subtraction (DOS) model was better suited for atmospheric correction of ASTER and IKONOS imagery of the study area. The medium spatial resolution data were not amenable to estimating even-aged Eucalyptus forest structural attributes. It is still encouraging that up to 64 % of variation could be explained by using medium spatial resolution data. The results from high spatial resolution data showed a promising result where the ARMSE% values obtained for stems per hectare, diameter at breast height, tree height, basal area and volume are 7.9, 5.1, 5.8, 8.7 and 8.7, respectively. Results such as these bode well for the application of high spatial resolution imagery to forest structural assessment. The results from the location based estimation of stems per hectare illustrated that a variable window size approach developed in this study is highly accurate. The overall accuracy using a variable window size was 85% (RMSE of 189 trees per hectare). The overall findings presented in this study are encouraging and show that high spatial resolution imagery was successful in predicting even-aged Eucalyptus forest structural attributes in the warm temperate climates of South Africa, with acceptable accuracy. / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Assessment of forest structural attributes has major implications in the management of forestry by providing information of ecological and economic importance. The traditional methods of assessment involve collecting data in the field and are regarded as labour-intensive and expensive. In plantation forestry, field campaigns are generally time consuming and costly, and may compromise profit maximisation. The introduction of lidar (light detection and ranging) remote sensing in forestry has shown promise to add value to the traditional field inventories mainly through large spatial coverages in a timely and cost-effective manner. Lidar remote sensing is an advanced system capable of acquiring information in both the vertical and horizontal dimensions at relatively high resolutions. Numerous studies have established that these qualities of lidar data are suited to estimating forest structural attributes at acceptably high accuracies. The generic approach in most studies is to use lidar data in combination with field data. Such an approach still warrants a high cost of inventory. It is therefore useful to explore alternative methods that rely primarily on lidar data by reducing the necessity for field-derived information. The aim of this study was to derive structural attributes of even-aged Eucalyptus grandis forest plantations using lidar data. The attributes are of significance to timber resource assessments and include plot-level tree height attributes, stems per hectare (SPHA), and volume. The surveyed field data included tree counting and measurement of tree height and diameter at breast height for sample plots. Volume was then calculated using standard allometric models. Small-footprint lidar data of the plantations were also acquired coincident with the field inventories. Mean tree height and dominant height were estimated at a range of simulated lidar point densities between 0.25 points/m2–6 points/m2. Various plot-level distributional metrics were extracted from height values of lidar non-ground points and related with field mean and dominant height values using stepwise regression analysis. The results showed that both attributes could be estimated at high accuracies with no significant differences arising from variations in lidar point density. Estimation of SPHA relied on the exploration of semi-variogram range as a mean window size for applying local maxima filtering to the lidar canopy height surface. A comparative approach of window size determination used pre-determined within-row tree spacing, based on planting information. Two secondary objectives were addressed: comparing spatial resolutions of canopy height surfaces interpolated from non-ground height values and comparison of lidar point densities simulated at three levels. Comparison of spatial resolutions of canopy height surfaces were performed at 0.2 m, 0.5 m, and 1 m using a lidar point density of 5 points/m2. The results indicated that 0.2 m is the most appropriate resolution for locating trees and consequently deriving SPHA. Canopy height surfaces of 0.2 m resolution were created at simulated densities of 1 point/m2, 3 points/m2, and 5 points/m2. While all estimates were negatively biased relative to field-observed SPHA, lidar densities of 3 points/m2 and 5 points/m2 returned similar accuracies, which were both superior to 1 point/m2. It was concluded that 3 points/m2 was sufficient to achieve the accuracy level obtained from higher lidar point densities. Plot-level mean height, dominant height, and volume of trees were estimated for trees located using local maxima filtering approaches at the three lidar point densities. Mean height and dominant height were both estimated at high accuracies for all local maxima filtering techniques and lidar point densities. The results were also comparable to the approach that employed regression analysis that related lidar-derived distributional metrics and field measurements. Estimated dominant height and SPHA, as well as age of trees, were used as independent variables in a function to estimate plot-level basal area. The basal area was then used to compute diameter of the tree with mean basal area, referred to as quadratic mean diameter at breast height (QDBH). Mean tree height and QDBH were used as independent variables in a standard equation to calculate mean tree volume, which was then scaled up to the plot-level. All estimates for the local maxima filtering approaches and lidar point densities returned negatively biased volume, when compared to field observations. This was due to the underestimation of SPHA, which was used as a conversion factor in scaling up from tree-level to plot-level. Volume estimates across lidar point densities exhibited similarities. This suggests that low lidar point densities (e.g., 1 point/m2) have potential for accurate volume estimation. It was concluded that multiple forest structural attributes can be assessed using lidar data only. The accuracy of height derivation meets the standards set by field inventories. The underestimation of SPHA may be comparable to other studies that applied different methods. However, improved estimation accuracy is needed in order to apply the approaches to commercial forestry scenarios. The significance of improving SPHA estimation extends to improved volume estimation. In addition, the potential improvement should also take into consideration the density of lidar points, as this will impact on the cost of acquisition. This research has taken a significant step towards determining if lidar data can be used as a stand-alone remote sensing data source for assessment of structural plantation parameters. Not only does such an approach seem viable, but the lower required point densities will help to reduce acquisition costs significantly. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

Eucalyptus macarthurii is one of the cold tolerant eucalypt species grown in South Africa for pulp and paper. However, little research has been done on this species’ growth performance. A study was therefore initiated to: i) analyse growth characteristics of Eucalyptus macarthurii at two sites and to calculate genetic parameters (genetic and phenotypic correlations, heritabilities and genetic gains), ii) develop a non-destructive near infrared calibration model to predict whole tree pulp yield of Eucalyptus macarthurii, and iii) screen a second generation Eucalyptus macarthurii breeding population, using the developed near infrared calibration model on core samples, to predict screened pulp yield and to rank and identify families with superior pulping properties. Eucalyptus macarthurii population growth data (diameter under bark, diameter over bark, bark thickness, bark stripping, height, basic wood density and stem form) were measured at Pinewoods and Vlakkloof sites and their respective genetic parameters calculated. Genotype by environment interaction was found in this population, indicating that different populations should perhaps be developed independently of each other for the two sites. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between diameter over bark and diameter under bark were, 0.96 and 0.98 for Pinewoods and 0.98 and 0.99 for Vlakkloof, respectively. These correlations indicated that selection of diameter over bark would lead to a positive indirect selection for diameter under bark. The heritability estimates also ranged from 0.03 to 0.23 at both sites, which indicated a reasonable response to selection. The predicted gains for all traits found at Pinewoods were higher than those at Vlakkloof for progeny trials E76/P1, except height for progeny trial E76/P2, which was 2.09m at Pinewoods site and 3.52m at Vlakkloof site which showed that, selection for taller trees will be more effective at Vlakkloof site. A preliminary study was undertaken from eleven second generation trees (2007 tree collection) to investigate if the radial strip core taken at breast height predicts the whole tree wood properties. Correlations found between laboratory Kraft pulping of whole tree wood discs and whole tree NIR spectra with that of the radial strip core NIR spectra were 0.9472 and 0.9506, respectively. These results confirmed that NIR spectra of the radial strip core at breast height predict the whole tree wood properties. A non-destructive near infrared calibration model using wood samples was obtained from Eucalyptus macarthurii felled trees. The wood samples were chipped into wood chips, pulped using Kraft pulping (reference method) and a sub-sample of wood chips of the same trees were ground into sawdust samples and analysed through near infrared spectroscopy for screened pulp yield. The screened pulp yield values obtained from both processes had a narrow screened pulp yield range of 40 to 48%. The Eucalyptus macarthurii screened pulp yield values obtained from both processes, as well as from values obtained from other eucalypt species, were subjected to Vision® Software for calibration and validation of the near infrared calibration model. The results indicated a strong calibration correlation coefficient of 94%, between Kraft pulping and near infrared spectroscopy with a validation coefficient of 89%. The strong correlation and validation coefficient indicated that a reliable non-destructive near infrared model to predict screened pulp yield was successfully developed. The successful development of the valid calibration model required a wider range of other eucalypts species, which improved the development of the model. The developed calibration model was applied to the second generation breeding population planted in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces, using wood core samples obtained from standing trees for the prediction of screened pulp yield. The highest screened pulp yield achieved was 48%, which compared well to that found for Kraft pulping, which confirmed the success of the development of the calibration model. There was a wide scope of growth variation found amongst traits, which will be useful in selecting superior trees for the next generation. The development of the nondestructive near infrared calibration model was a success due to the strong correlation coefficients found between the screened pulp yields obtained from Kraft pulping and near infrared spectroscopy processes, which was achieved by the inclusion of other eucalypt species in the dataset. The calibration model can be used to select the top performing individual and family trees for the next generation based on screened pulp yield. Tree improvement trials can now be conserved for further breeding, without felling the trees for determination of pulping properties. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.