Provenance Selection of Eucalyptus Microtheca for Afforestation in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas

Abstract

In Australia, the natural distribution of Eucalyptus species is strongly influenced by the resistance of seedlings to drought. Survival strategies in response to water deficit at the initial seedling growth phase have been studied (Bachelard 1986; Wang et al., 1988; Davidson and Reid, 1989; Myers. and Landsberg, 1989; Gibson and Bachelard, 1994; Gibson et al., 1991, 1994, 1995; Lemcoff et al., 1994; Anderson et al., 1996). Some of the adaptive responses to water deficit cause changes in plant structure, growth rates, water use efficiency, tissue osmotic potential and stomatal conductance among others. (Jones, 1992).