Conference paper
Inventories and significance of the genetic resources of an African mahogany species (Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss.) assembled and further developed in Australia
Small-scale and Community Forestry and the Changing Nature of Forest Landscapes, Proceedings from the IUFRO Research Group 3.08 Small-scale Forestry Conference, pp.169-188
IUFRO Research Group 3.08 Small-scale Forestry Conference (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 11-Oct-2015–15-Oct-2015)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2016
Abstract
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 favourable.
Details
- Title
- Inventories and significance of the genetic resources of an African mahogany species (Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss.) assembled and further developed in Australia
- Authors
- D G Nikles (Author) - Queensland Department of Agriculture and FisheriesGeoffrey R Dickinson (Author) - Queensland Department of Agriculture and FisheriesM Bristow (Author) - Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and FisheriesDavid J Lee (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts, Business and Law
- Contributors
- John Meadows (Editor)Steve R Harrison (Editor)John L Herbohn (Editor)
- Publication details
- Small-scale and Community Forestry and the Changing Nature of Forest Landscapes, Proceedings from the IUFRO Research Group 3.08 Small-scale Forestry Conference, pp.169-188
- Conference details
- IUFRO Research Group 3.08 Small-scale Forestry Conference (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 11-Oct-2015–15-Oct-2015)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2016
- ISBN
- 9780975191392
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2016 University of the Sunshine Coast and the Author.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; Forest Industries Research Centre; Forest Research Institute
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450703802621
- Output Type
- Conference paper
- Research Statement
- false
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