Eucalypt breeding in France

Abstract

The breeding programme for the improvement of eucalypts for pulpwood production in France is described. The programme, run by Associated Foret-Cellulose (AFOCEL), is based on the propagation of selected clones by hardwood cuttings from juvenile shoots, although techniques of micropropagation also have a role. Genetic manipulation through artificial hybridisation is seen as an adjunct to the exploitation of natural gene resources for the development of material for clonal section. Cold temperatures are the main factor limiting the eucalypt programme in France as evidenced by the effects of the extreme frost during the 1984-85 winter.