Three year performance of international provenance trials of Acacia auriculiformis.

Abstract

The performance of 25 provenances (seven from Queensland, 12 from Northern Territory, Australia, and six from Papua New Guinea) in international trials on seven sites in four countries (1 site in each of Taiwan, Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia, and 4 in Thailand) was assessed from survival and growth data at age 3 years. Survival, height, basal diameter at 10 cm above ground, and diameter at breast height were measured every 6 months. Between 18 and 36 months of age, tree stem form (number of leading stems originating at heights above or below 50 cm above ground) was assessed. Significant growth differences were found: (a) among provenances at four sites; (b) among the sites; and (c) between provenance regions. The interaction between sites and provenances as well as between sites and provenance regions was also significant. The poorest growth was recorded in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, while the best growth was in Banjarbaru, Indonesia. Stability analyses of the provenance×site interaction revealed eight provenances with high vigour and good tree form that were relatively stable across sites. These were: Archer River, South Coen, Coen River and Wenlock River provenances from Queensland; Noogoo Swamp and Man River provenances from Northern Territory; and North Bensbach and Old Tonda Village provenances from Papua New Guinea.