Breeding Woody Crops (FP 17)

The Breeding Woody Crops project is undertaking an initial three year genetic improvement study of three major species selections identified as potential short-cycle woody crop species suited to mixed farm agricultural system integration. This research follows on from the CRC Salinity’s FloraSearch project that identified 25 native species with significant potential as short cycle, woody crop species. 

The three major species under consideration include Eucalyptus polybractea, E. loxophleba spp lissophloia and E. loxophleba spp gratiae (mallees) and Acacia saligna (Acacia). Species identified for further initial investigation include, E. porosa (malllee),  E. viridis (Green Mallee), E.  cneorifolia (Kangaroo Island Narrow Leaf Peppermint) and  E.  bakeri (Bakers Mallee).

Objectives:

• Produce advanced generation breeding populations of E polybractea and a cultivar in the form of a pre- release clonal seed orchard
• Identify the best Acacia saligna subspecies for breeding work and investigate the clonability of the best individuals
• Establish breeding populations for E. loxophleba subsp lissophloia and E. loxophleba subsp gratiae

Activities

Beginning in March 2008, the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) personnel cut down forty six trees in an existing E. polybractea orchard near Collie, with the objective of producing coppice shoots suitable for striking cuttings. Harvest of cuttings material was initiated in November 2008 by DEC Research Scientist, Adam Peck. Currently thirty selections  have been successfully cloned using cuttings. Existing clones will be used as mother plants to generate more cuttings. 

A series of six trials were established near Lake Grace in Western Australia, near Condobolin in NSW and north of Bendigo in mid 2009. At each site, a breeding population trial consisting of progeny from 176 selections from E. polybractea breeding program and an infusion trial consisting of progeny from 66 previously untested parents around the West Wyalong region, New South Wales, were planted. The three sets of trials will enable an assessment of genotype by environment interaction to be made as well as providing a basis for ongoing selection in E. polybractea. 

Five replicates were measured at each of two A. saligna progeny trials established near Bolgart and near Kendenup, both located in Western Australia. Trials include 400 families collected from across twenty provenances from four subspecies. Key traits assessed at age two years were stem basal area and incidence of infection by the gall rust fungus Uromycladium tepperianum.  Results from both sites demonstrate productivity is highest in sub species saligna followed by subspecies pruinescens, subspecies lindleyi, and lastly subspecies stolonifera.

Incidence of infection by U. tepperianum was lowest in subspecies saligna followed by subspecies lindleyi then subspecies pruinescens with subspecies stolonifera sustaining the highest incidence of infection.

During the winter of 2010, three trials of E. loxophleba subspecies lissophloia and three of E. loxophleba subsp. gratiae were established near Lake Bryde in Western Australia, Murray Bridge SA and Condobolin NSW.  The lissophloia trials comprised 132 families from nine provenances whilst the gratiae trials comprised 90 families from six provenances. Ultimately these trials will be assessed for biomass and leaf cineole production then thinned for use as seed orchards and breeding populations.

For more information email project leader, Richard Mazanec.