Micropropagation of Eucalyptus

Abstract

The genus Eucalyptus L'Hér. (Myrtaceae) is indigenous to Australia. A few species are found in the Philippines, West Timor and New Guinea. Many Eucalyptus spp. and hybrids are extensively used as exotic plantation species in many temperate and subtropical areas of the world including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Morocco, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, USA and Uruguay. This genus contains a wide range of species. No other tree genus has been propagated so widely throughout the world in terms of adaptation to sites, types of management systems and variety of uses (Eldridge et al., 1994). The species of choice in each country varies according to the suitability to the particular geographical and climatic conditions, as well as to the final end-product requirements. These include ornamentals, wind breaks, fuel wood for locomotives, saw timber, mine props, poles, firewood, charcoal, honey, essential oils, tannin, pulp and paper (Turnbull, 1999). The versatility of the genus, together with its fast growth rate, have maintained a sustained interest (MacRae and van Staden, 2000) as the worldwide demand for pulp, fuel and construction wood increases.