Evaluation of International Provenance Trials of Casuarina equisetifolia

Abstract

Casuarina equisetifolia is widely grown throughout the tropics.It is a multi-purpose species, providing a range of products and services, from fuelwood to shelter and erosion control.Australian species often form an important component of agroforestry in developing countries and wider use of this resource can bring assured benefits, especially in the more difficult situations of water stress and other environmental extremes, or where nitrogen accretion, tree fodder production and soil stabilisation are critical.Some Casuarina species grow (often rapidly) over a wide range of sites, including arid and saline areas, many yield excellent firewood and some can be vegetatively propagated.ACIAR has supported projects to identify Casuarina species with potential for fuelwood, agroforestry and soil conservation.The results published in this report have been collected from trials over many years.They reveal a considerable amount of genetic variation between provenances and provide important information for people interested in agroforestry and fuelwood production in the tropics and subtropics.