Southern Pines

The aim of establishing the 'Southern pine' taxa in Queensland was to determine the most suitable species for a commercial forestry plantation program. The area focused on the south-eastern coastal lowlands on soils of low nutritional status, at that time supporting relatively low-grade eucalypt forest. These plantations were to supplement those of the native hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii)

Phylogenetic position of hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii)

A variety of gymnosperms (13 species of conifer from 5 families and 2 species of non-conifer) were collected and the small ribosomal subunit (18s rRNA) was sequenced by direct sequencing. Fifteen species were examined in the study, which included widely separated provenances of Araucaria cunninghamii, to determine the phylogenetic relationship of these gymnosperms. Two of the four conifer families found in Australia that were included in the study (Araucariaceae and Podocarpaceae) separated as expected with further separation of genera and species within these families. Homologies between the gymnosperms varied from 89% to 98%. Four geographically distinct groups within A. cunninghamii were separated phylogenetically. This study suggests that A. cunninghamii was the most recent Araucaria species to evolve, with the Papua New Guinean provenances undergoing the fastest evolutionary changes. This type of analysis has provided molecular evidence to support the taxonomy of the Coniferales. It has shown, contrary to an established understanding in angiosperms, that sequence information of the 18S rRNA genes provides a useful means of studying phylogeny in the gymnosperms at the species and within-species levels

Inventories and significance of the genetic resources of an African mahogany species (Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss.) assembled and further developed in Australia.

The forest tree species Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss. occurs in a belt across 20 African countries from Senegal-Guinea to Sudan-Uganda where it is a highly important resource. However, it is listed as Vulnerable (IUCN 2015-3). Since introduction in northern Australia around 1959, the species has been planted widely, yielding high-value products. The total area of plantations of the species in Australia exceeds 15,000 ha, mostly planted in the Northern Territory since 2006, and includes substantial areas across 60-70 woodlots and industrial plantations established in north-eastern Queensland since the early-1990s and during 2005-2007 respectively. Collaborative conservation and tree improvement by governments began in the Northern Territory and Queensland in 2001 based on provenance and other trials of the 1960s-1970s. This work has developed a broad base of germplasm in clonal seed orchards, hedge gardens and trials (clone and progeny). Several of the trials were established collaboratively on private land. Since the mid-2000s, commercial growers have introduced large numbers of provenance-bulk and individual-tree seedlots to establish industrial plantations and trials, several of the latter in collaboration with the Queensland Government. Provenance bulks (>140) and families (>400) from 17 African countries are established in Australia, considered the largest genetic base of the species in a single country outside Africa. Recently the annual rate of industrial planting of the species in Australia has declined, and R&D has been suspended by governments and reduced by the private sector. However, new commercial plantings in the Northern Territory and Queensland are proposed. In domesticating a species, the strategic importance of a broad genetic base is well known. The wide range of first- and advanced-generation germplasm of the species established in northern Australia and documented in this paper provides a sound basis for further domestication and industrial plantation and woodlot expansion, when investment conditions are favourabl

Inventories and significance of the genetic resources of an African mahogany species (Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss.) assembled and further developed in Australia.

The forest tree species Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss. occurs in a belt across 20 African countries from Senegal-Guinea to Sudan-Uganda where it is a highly important resource. However, it is listed as Vulnerable (IUCN 2015-3). Since introduction in northern Australia around 1959, the species has been planted widely, yielding high-value products. The total area of plantations of the species in Australia exceeds 15,000 ha, mostly planted in the Northern Territory since 2006, and includes substantial areas across 60-70 woodlots and industrial plantations established in north-eastern Queensland since the early-1990s and during 2005-2007 respectively. Collaborative conservation and tree improvement by governments began in the Northern Territory and Queensland in 2001 based on provenance and other trials of the 1960s-1970s. This work has developed a broad base of germplasm in clonal seed orchards, hedge gardens and trials (clone and progeny). Several of the trials were established collaboratively on private land. Since the mid-2000s, commercial growers have introduced large numbers of provenance-bulk and individual-tree seedlots to establish industrial plantations and trials, several of the latter in collaboration with the Queensland Government. Provenance bulks (>140) and families (>400) from 17 African countries are established in Australia, considered the largest genetic base of the species in a single country outside Africa. Recently the annual rate of industrial planting of the species in Australia has declined, and R&D has been suspended by governments and reduced by the private sector. However, new commercial plantings in the Northern Territory and Queensland are proposed. In domesticating a species, the strategic importance of a broad genetic base is well known. The wide range of first- and advanced-generation germplasm of the species established in northern Australia and documented in this paper provides a sound basis for further domestication and industrial plantation and woodlot expansion, when investment conditions are favourabl

The domestication of African mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) in northern Australia.

African mahogany has demonstrated much potential, in many field trials spanning several decades and in furniture manufacturers' evaluations, as a high-value timber species for plantations in northern Australia. It is in the early stages of domestication via a low-intensity, informally-collaborative, mostly-public-sector program of conservation and genetic improvement begun 5 y ago. Silvicultural techniques are being developed through experience in both 'small grower' and larger-scale plantings. See this issue's cover for photographs

A proposal for consideration: establish a northern Australia cooperative tree improvement program (NACTIP), initially with African mahogany (Khaya senegalensis)

The prospects for Khaya senegalensis to underpin a plantation industry in northern Australia is provided. The development and dispersal of new varieties of crop plants is described. The status of domestication of K. senegalensis in northern Australia is reviewed. Examples of existing tree improvement cooperatives are presented. A case for the establishment of a northern Australia cooperative tree improvement programme (NACTIP) is outlined, and the means by which a NACTIP may be initiated are suggested