Preliminary Growth Performance of Promising Eucalyptus Clones in Eastern Gangetic Plains of Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Preliminary field evaluation was conducted in the Trans-Ganga region of Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh, to assess early growth among 40 elite Eucalyptus camaldulensis clones relative to a seedling control. The trial was established in three replications under uniform silvicultural management, and annual increments in height and girth at breast height were assessed. Marked variation was observed among the tested clones after one year. Annual height increment ranged from 2.9 m in Clone 122 to 5.9 m in Clone 714, whereas the seedling control recorded 1.9 m. Clone 714 had the highest height increment, followed by Clones 703 and 711 at 5.5 m each. Annual girth increment ranged from 5.0 cm in Clone 108 to 11.9 cm in Clone 703, compared with 3.2 cm in the control. Clone 703 had the highest girth increment, followed by Clones 711 and 714 at 11.6 and 11.4 cm, respectively. When both growth traits were considered, Clones 714, 703, 711, and 283 showed comparatively strong early performance under the experimental conditions. The findings demonstrate considerable variation in initial growth among the tested genetic materials and identify clones that warrant continued evaluation. Longer-duration and multi-location trials are required before firm recommendations are made for wider commercial, farm-forestry, or agroforestry deployment in the Eastern Gangetic Plains.