Annual Research Review 2004 OVERVIEW

Institute for Commercial Forestry Research

Twenty years ago, the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) was inaugurated on 13 September 1984. It evolved from the Wattle Research Institute (WRI) which was established in 1947. The ICFR is presently the only privately funded forestry research institute in South Africa and is funded by direct contributions from companies and organisations in the forestry industry. The research All correspondence should undertaken by the ICFR concentrates on all the applied aspects of be addressed to: commercial timber growing and is conducted in close collaboration The Director Institute for Commercial Forestry with the growers. In setting research priorities the ICFR Research accommodates recommendations from its Board of Control, a PO Box 100281, Scottsville, 3209 Management Committee and Project Steering Committees. It is South Africa Telephone +27 (33) 386 2314 through these mechanisms and the active participation of the Fax +27 (33) 386 8905 Support Groups of the ICFR that the research activities are kept relevant for both present and anticipated problems in the industry. The ICFR is located on the Pietermaritzburg campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Sabie Office PO Box 204, Sabie, 1260 Telephone +27 (13) 764 2393 764 3284 / 764 1122 Fax +27 (13) 764 3284

Kwambonambi Office PO Box 59, Kwambonambi, 3915 Telephone +27 (35) 550 3451 Cell phone 082 808 4414

Internet e-mail: [email protected]

World wide web: http://www.icfrnet.unp.ac.za

Photographic credits: Unless otherwise stated, all photographs and graphics used in this publication are the property of the ICFR.

Indemnity: The recommendations contained in the ICFR Annual Research Review are based on the results of research conducted at the ICFR and reflect our current understanding of the complex interrelationships involved. The ICFR reserves the right to subsequently modify recommendations in the light of new evidence from ongoing research and no guarantees are provided, either explicitly or by implication. The ICFR must be acknowledged whenever information contained in this document is reproduced or used in any form.

Page 2 Annual Research Review 2004 CONTENTS

Board of Control ...... Foreword ...... Director’s Report...... Acacia Tree Improvement ...... Programme Overview Acacia Breeding Sterile Wattle Species Testing Acknowledgements References Outputs Eucalypt Tree Improvement ...... Programme Overview Tree Improvement in Eucalyptus nitens Tree Improvement in Eucalyptus macarthurii Tree Improvement in Eucalyptus dunnii Tree Improvement in Eucalyptus smithii Tree Improvement in Eucalyptus badjensis Zululand species - Eucalyptus henryi and E. longirostrata Flowering Research and Seed Production References Outputs Plantation Re-establishment Research ...... Programme Overview Vegetation Management Coppice Management Wattle Regeneration Pine and Eucalpt Regeneration Research Re-establishment Research Core Project Pine Fusarium Working Group Outputs Forest Nutrition ...... Programme Overview Site Management for Sustained Productivity Hardwood Nutrition Softwood Nutrition Nutritional Sustainability (Core) Outputs References Forest Productivity ...... Programme Overview Growth Modelling and Yield Optimisation Sustainable Forest Management Site-species Interaction Core Funding Innovation Fund Mensuration and Modelling Research Consortium (MMRC) Outputs

ICFR Outputs ...... ICFR Trials ...... Summary of Current Trials ...... ICFR Staff

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 3 Board of Control

standing L-R: Patrick Kime (NCT), Philip Day (MCC), Rob Pallett (Sappi), Bruce Hulett (Mondi), Prof. Peter Zacharias (UKZN), Siggie von Fintel (TWK). seated L-R: Edwin Schramm (CTC), Mike Edwards (FSA), Prof. Charles Breen (Chairman), Prof. Colin Dyer (Director), Lorraine McNamara (GFP). absent: Botha Maree (HMH), Dinga Mncube (Sappi), Kevin Cazalet (Mondi).

ICFR Members

Forestry South Africa (FSA) Global Forest Products (GFP) Komatiland Forests (KLF) Masonite Africa Ltd Mondi Business Paper NCT Forestry Co-operative Ltd (NCT) Northern Timbers Sappi Forests Sappi Usutu Singisi Forest Products SiyaQhubeka Forests Mimosa Central Co-operative (MCC) The Central Timber Co-operative (CTC) TWK Agriculture Ltd (TWK)

Page 4 Annual Research Review 2004 Foreword

This year the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) celebrated twenty years of service to the industry. Key players in the industry continue to support the ICFR by way of core and direct project funding. This indicates strong appreciation for the efficiencies that are achieved by defining and addressing collective national needs in ways that will secure competitive advantage in the international forest products industry. In essence the ICFR is a ‘knowledge broker’, simultaneously serving both the collective interests of the industry and those of competitors within the industry. It does this by providing knowledge products generated through sound scientific research and an expert advisory service that assists the industry to respond to emerging challenges.

Professor Charles Breen, Chairman of the ICFR International competition is growing and the South African forest Board of Control products industry is challenged to retain competitive advantage in an era where information is freely exchanged and in which newly acquired knowledge has such a short lifespan before it becomes ‘common knowledge’. Not only must knowledge be generated and implemented more quickly than before, it must also be broadened to address new needs. Following discussions with Forest Engineering South Africa, the ICFR Board of Control resolved to establish a new research programme in forest engineering that will focus on harvesting, transport, roads and work science. This decision reflects our conviction that the ICFR through well directed and conducted research can effect significant savings for the forest products industry and enhance its progress towards environmental sustainability.

On behalf of the Board of Control it is my pleasure to congratulate the Director and his staff on their achievements during 2004. We are proud of the recognition they are given among peers, and of their service to the industry.

Prof. Charles Breen Chairman, Board of Control.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 5 Director’s Report

It gives me pleasure to present the 2004 Annual Research Review for the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research.

As in previous reports, the outputs from the research programmes are covered in detail in the following sections of this document. I would like to highlight some of the special initiatives that have been undertaken at the ICFR over the past twelve months, and outline the support functions that enable research to be undertaken in an efficient and cost-effective way.

The ICFR is focussed on serving the South African forest industry in two ways: through the maintenance of forestry research infrastructure that is available to all of its members; and, through conducting industry-directed research. Forestry South Africa (FSA) Professor Colin Dyer supports the former through its core funding of the ICFR. Direct Director of the ICFR project funding from the forestry companies and organisations drives the research at the ICFR, which is wholly owned and funded by the private forestry industry.

The outputs from the ICFR over the past twelve months have been extensive, both in quantity and quality (see Outputs section later in this document). We produced:

25 ICFR bulletins (peer-reviewed, technical reports on the research projects), 16 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals (plus another five submitted for publication), 11 papers in conference proceedings, and more than 100 presentations at field days and workshops.

Of course these can only be produced from a range of well- maintained research trials spread over a range of sites and species (see Trial Status Table).

A key feature of the ICFR is the applied research conducted on behalf of its members, and field days provide an important technology transfer mechanism. At the start of 2004, the ICFR embarked on a consolidation of its field days, both as a means of ensuring maximum value for the members and to avoid unnecessary duplication. Field days are now focussed on four regions in the summer rainfall area: Mpumalanga, the Central Region around Piet Retief and the highveld, Zululand and the KwaZulu-Natal midlands. The ICFR together with its research partners, present two field days per region per year. The dates and venues for the field days are available on the ICFR website and summaries of the talks are available to members (www.icfrnet.unp.ac.za).

Forestry South Africa has placed special emphasis on supporting emerging timber growers in South Africa. As part of this initiative,

Page 6 Annual Research Review 2004 the ICFR is developing easy-to-use technical brochures as reference material for emerging growers. The ICFR is working closely with Steven Ngubane and his extension officers from FSA to ensure that the information in the brochures is both relevant and appropriately presented to this important sector of the forest industry.

The widespread snowfalls at the end of September caused extensive damage to plantations in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands, particularly to wattle and eucalypt stands. The ICFR did not come through unscathed. One of our flagship trials, the Karkloof experiment which is part of an international network of similar trials across eucalypt plantations in the world, was severely damaged and will need to be clear-felled and the treatments re-implemented.

STAFF Over the past year the ICFR has experienced the highest staff turnover since the restructuring of 1992. Seven members of staff left the ICFR by the end of 2004, with another one leaving at the end of the first quarter 0f 2005.

Sadly, two of these were due to deaths. Bheki Ndwande died after a tragic shooting accident at his home and Robert Nkonde passed away after a long illness.

Tanya Wilby and Tracy Steart both left the ICFR to follow their spouses overseas. Rob Dunlop, Richard Kunz and Gert van den Berg left the ICFR to continue their careers elsewhere. Ben du Toit will leave the ICFR at the end of March 2005 to take up a teaching position at the University of Stellenbosch.

I would like to wish all of these staff well in their new endeavours, and thank them for the valuable contributions they have made to the ICFR.

Jenni Haasbroek joined the ICFR in December 2004 to take up the position of personal assistant to the Director and Financial Manager.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT The ICFR has continued to invest in the development of its own staff through formal tertiary qualifications and through appropriate short-courses to fill gaps in our expertise.

During 2004, we had 14 post-graduate projects addressing specific aspects of the ICFR research portfolio (10 at the Masters level and 4 at the Doctoral level). The involvement of post-graduate students in our research is beneficial both to the ICFR and to the academic institutions we work with.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 7 The ICFR currently has a number of its staff registered for post- graduate studies at various South African universities and Technikons:

Ph D Janine Campion University of the Witwatersrand Ben du Toit University of the Witwatersrand Luke Esprey University of KwaZulu-Natal Di Rietz (Bursar) University of KwaZulu-Natal M Sc Steven Dovey University of KwaZulu-Natal Rob Dunlop University of KwaZulu-Natal Gert van den Berg University of KwaZulu-Natal Tim Ross (Bursar) University of Stellenbosch M Tech Greg Fuller Port Elizabeth Technikon Anthony Job Port Elizabeth Technikon Forestry Diploma Gavin Higgs Port Elizabeth Technikon Shadron Naicker Port Elizabeth Technikon Management Advancement Diploma Mike Chetty University of KwaZulu-Natal

Tim Ross was awarded an M Sc degree (cum laude) from the University of Stellenbosch for his work on slash loads in pine plantations.

CONFERENCES AND OVERSEAS TRAVEL Several members of the ICFR were able to travel overseas in 2004. Robin Gardner and Tammy Swain attended the IUFRO conference (Eucalypts in a changing world) in Portugal where both presented their work. Kay Nixon, the ICFR’s research fellow, also attended this conference through a generous grant from SAWGU in recognition of her 50 year’s service to the wattle industry.

Sascha Beck, Rob Dunlop and Tammy Swain presented papers at the Plant Breeding symposium. A dedicated session for tree breeding was introduced at the conference for the first time. Sascha Bech also attended the congress of the Genetics Society.

Ben du Toit attended annual CIFOR meeting in Brazil where he presented progress on the Karkloof Trial at Shafton. This trial is one of several similar trials across the southern hemisphere plantation forestry countries.

Colin Dyer attended the IUFRO extended board meeting in Seoul, Republic of Korea, where he presented the South African bid to host the 2010 IUFRO World Congress. He also presented a paper at an international symposium on forestry research and education at Seoul National University.

Page 8 Annual Research Review 2004 Keith Little was part of the organising committee for the International Weed Science conference held in Durban and also presented a keynote paper and other papers with his team. A highlight of the conference was the post-congress tour organised by Dr Little where some of the leading weed science experts were exposed to the work done by the ICFR in the area. The view of this group is that the vegetation management work that has been undertaken at the ICFR is without doubt at the forefront in the world.

COLLABORATION Much has been reported on the threat of the Sirex wood-wasp to pine growers in South Africa. The management of this potentially devastating pest has been an excellent example of collaboration at all levels. FSA, pine growers and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry have been the principal funders of the programme. The Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) and the ICFR have collaborated extensively to ensure that adequate measures are being taken to understand the pest and its biology in South Africa, and to put in place an effective control programme through the release of a biological control agent. The first large-scale inoculations took place in 2004 and the programme will gain full momentum in 2005.

Similarly, the ICFR, FABI and the forest industry have collaborated to combat the spread of Fusarium circinatum through the Pine Fusarium Working Group. This group, together with the South African Seedling Growers Association, have developed a self-regulating accreditation system for pine seedling nurseries. The aim is to improve the general hygiene in nurseries thereby controlling the pathogen in the nursery and minimising its spread into newly-established plantations. FSA has played a key role in promoting the accreditation system amongst its members.

The ICFR continued to be actively involved in the National Innovation Fund project “A new decision support software tool for tree growers and water resource managers: harnessing physiological information to improve productivity and water-use assessment of forest plantations”. This collaborative project with the CSIR, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and Brouse-James is due to be completed during 2005.

Forest Engineering South Africa (FESA) will disband at the end of 2004 after almost a decade and a half of activity, and will be replaced by a forest engineering research programme at the ICFR in 2005. The new programme, managed by Francois Oberholzer, will focus on building research capacity to address broad forest engineering aspects such as harvesting, transport, roads and work science. This programme will collaborate actively with research capacity at the universities of Stellenbosch, Rhodes and KwaZulu-Natal, Port

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 9 Elizabeth Technikon, the CSIR, and other appropriate research organisations. Of course the forest engineering programme will collaborate closely with the Silviculture and Tree Improvement programmes at the ICFR to ensure that the entire timber supply chain is researched. The very successful Loading Accreditation Programme (LAP) will continue to strive towards self-regulation in the timber transport sector and aims to include other transport sectors in future.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the FESA members for their encouragement and support. I believe that there are exciting challenges ahead for the forest engineering research programme and look forward to your continued support

SUPPORT FUNCTIONS Administration The Team: Sean Best; Michael Chetty; Tim Goodricke; Jabulani Mchunu; Kariena Mol; Ella Mkhize; Karin Nagel; Yvonne Ntombela; Denis Oscroft; Bev Oscroft; Jackie Ponsford; Maria Seketane; Tracy Steart; Tammy Swain; Tanya Wilby.

The support of the administration at the ICFR is critical for the execution of the research programmes. This covers all aspects of good corporate governance, financial management, human resource management, reception, secretarial services, vehicle and building maintenance, computer network maintenance, managing the regional offices, environmental health and safety, and employment equity.

The ICFR had no serious incidents or accidents during 2004 and the external financial audit had no audit queries.

Technology Transfer The Team: Sally Upfold

The successful transfer of research findings is a key challenge facing all research organisations. The production of high quality reports is an important part of this function.

A key focus during 2004 has been the consolidation of the ICFR field days. These were done in association with the members and held as focussed, regionally-based days where the ICFR could share its latest research finding with timber growers. Two field days in each of the four regions were held and total attendance was over 500 for the year.

Page 10 Annual Research Review 2004 Members were also shown how to easily access the historical information from the ICFR through either the ICFR website, or using a stand-alone, CD-based information system. This gives members access to all reports, newsletters, annual research reviews, and field day summaries since 1992. The information system is also searchable.

Information Centre The Team: Desiree Lamoral, Innocent Mchunu, Richard Kunz, Kay Nixon

The ICFR Information Centre continues to provide a valuable service to both researchers at the ICFR and to our members and associates. In addition to housing the ICFR publications and a specialised book, journal and pamphlet collection, the library also has online access to a number of forestry-related databases.

During 2004, over 1800 visitors to the library were recorded. In addition there were 1530 requests for information, 250 requests for our publications and 144 requests for literature searches.

Analytical Laboratory The Team: Michael Chetty, Mary Galbraith, Lewis Masuku, Thulani Mbentse

The analytical laboratory continues to be an important asset for both the ICFR and our sponsors. The total number of samples processed during 2004 exceeded 3100 which translates to over 30 000 individual analyses.

Wehave continued to build partnerships with the South African Sugar Research Institute laboratories, Cedara Agricultural laboratories and the Chemistry Department of the University of KwaZulu-Natal to include their expertise and equipment in the analysis of our samples.

Regarding the quality assurance programme, we continue to calibrate our biomass analyses against the International Plant Exchange Programme at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands. For the soil samples, we have joined the AGRILASA Soil Exchange Programme, giving the ICFR access to an invaluable collection of key South African soils for calibrating techniques.

IUFRO 2010 The ICFR played a key role in preparing and presenting a bid to host the 2010 International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO) world congress in South Africa. The bid was widely supported by FSA, the forestry companies, the South African Government and several African IUFRO members. Although the South African bid was selected as one of two finalists, the 2010 world congress was awarded to the Republic of Korea. The South

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 11 African bid was highly regarded and we will no doubt be invited to bid again for this prestigious event in future. The IUFRO world congress attracts in excess of 3000 delegates and, had it been held in South Africa, would have provided South African and African forest scientists with an excellent opportunity to engage the global forest science community.

On behalf of the South African IUFRO committee, I would like to thank both the forest industry and government for their support in the bid process. A special thank you to Carol MacNab from the International Convention Centre in Durban, Dudley Randall from Turners Conferences and Sally Upfold for their excellent support in preparing the bid documents.

Acknowledgements The Institute for Commercial Forestry Research operates in a partnership with the South African forestry industry and relies on involvement by the industry at all levels. This review provides an opportunity to thank a number of people and organisations for their support to the ICFR:

• The members of the ICFR (Central Timber Co-operative, Forestry South Africa, Global Forest Products, Komatiland Forests, Masonite Africa, Mondi Business Paper, Mimosa Central Co- operative, NCT Forestry Co-operative, Northern Timbers, Sappi Forests, Sappi Usutu, Singisi Forest Products, SiyaQubheka Forests, TWK Agriculture Ltd). • Our Board of Control chairman Prof. Charles Breen, for your guidance and support. • The members of the Board of Control, for your guidance and wisdom in ensuring the health of the ICFR. • Forestry South Africa, especially Mr Mike Edwards for your support and encouragement. • The members of the steering committees. • The members of the interest groups. • Most importantly, thank you to the staff at the ICFR. We have taken the ICFR to new heights and this could only have been accomplished through your commitment and dedication. I know your efforts are much appreciated by the industry we serve.

Prof. Colin Dyer Director

Page 12 Annual Research Review 2004 ACACIA TREE IMPROVEMENT The Team Programme Manager: Rob Dunlop Dr Sascha Beck Vusi Mkhize Thulani Nsindane

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) plantations make up about 8.3% of the total area under commercial forestry plantations in South Africa (Godsmark, 2003). Although this does not constitute a major percentage, black wattle produces two crops; timber and bark. Approximately 160 000 tons of bark is processed per annum from three extract factories and approximately 1.4 million tons of timber is harvested per annum. This dual product advantage increases the species’ relative value to the Forestry Industry. The primary objective of this research programme is to co-ordinate a multi- disciplinary research effort focussed on improving the quality and quantity of Acacia timber and A. mearnsii bark in South Africa. This is achieved by aligning the tree improvement and silvicultural research efforts towards a common goal. Ultimately the knowledge accumulated will enable the South African wattle grower to remain competitive within the domestic and international Forestry Industries.

The Acacia Tree Improvement programme uses classical and other breeding methods to continually improve the quality of the Acacia germplasm, and make this available to growers. This has been achieved through successive selection of superior parent trees from results of progeny tests. These trees have been used in the establishment of Production Seedling Orchards (PSOs) which supply the industry with improved seed. A new breeding and production strategy (Multiple Population Breeding Strategy) has been implemented for black wattle, aimed at continued improvement of the species, by modifying various selection criteria to ensure flexibility and hence the supply of improved seed to the growers in the future.

Acacia silvicultural projects focus on supplying growers with appropriate information on nutrition, weeding, and thinning regimes to enable best deployment of the available germplasm. This is achieved by disseminating information gained from establishing and monitoring experiments investigating the effects of various

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 13 silvicultural treatments and natural phenomena on the growth of black wattle. Treatments include various spacing, vegetation management and fertiliser regimes. Growth and yield modelling to predict the potential productivity of wattle on a range of site qualities is also under investigation, and the effect of site and silviculture operations and their interactions on wood and pulping properties is becoming increasingly important. More detail pertaining to the relevant silvicultural research can be found under the appropriate sections of this report.

The three Tree Improvement projects; Acacia Breeding, Sterile Wattle and Species Testing, together with their outputs, are discussed below.

Programme Highlights • The felling of nutrition trial C2 scheduled for October 2003, was only completed early in 2004 due to unfavourable weather conditions. Situated at Bloemendal, the trial is in its fifth rotation on the same site, and will be re-established for the sixth time later this year. It is probably the only one of its kind in the world and forms part of the sustainability research initiative at the ICFR. • The assessment of the first year heights of families making up the new breeding strategy is complete and has been written up. We are using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) to analyse the data, in conjunction with a statistician from Brazil. • A comprehensive status report on the sterility project has been produced (Beck, 2004).

ACACIA BREEDING

The ICFR’s sponsor organisations rely soley on the Institute for the supply of improved A. mearnsii seed in South Africa. Due to a shift in demand in the black wattle industry, from bark yield to timber yield, a new Multiple Population Breeding Strategy was implemented to allow for new selection criteria, improvements in areas such as pulping quality and in the quality of the germplasm supplied to the wattle industry. This project incorporates all facets of tree improvement, using classical methods and vegetative propagation to achieve its goals, the first of which is:

• To supply the wattle growing industry with improved germplasm (seed).

At present this is achieved by classical tree breeding methods. For this reason, the germplasm referred to here is seed. In time, vegetative propagation of black wattle, through cuttings, grafting

Page 14 Annual Research Review 2004 or tissue culture, may become an important component of the breeding strategy and this has been accommodated in the new breeding strategy.

Currently all of the improved seed is produced by the Bloemendal seed orchards and is superior to that used in commercial line sowing operations, providing the growers with potentially higher timber and bark yields. As these orchards are very old and their continued production of seed cannot be guaranteed, new PSOs have been established on a number of new sites, and will become productive within the next year or two. This also safeguards against the possible total destruction of the seed-supplying capabilities of this programme.

A second main goal for the Acacia breeding programme is: • To continue research into the vegetative propagation of A. mearnsii.

The first rooted cuttings experiments with A. mearnsii took place at the Wattle Research Institute (WRI), now the ICFR, in 1952, and tissue culture propagation trials started in the late 1990’s. These latter trials have had a degree of success, and the first cultured black wattle plants, presumably in the world, were planted out in a small block at Bloemendal. Adult trees, of different ages, were also successfully rejuvenated in vitro through the use of meristem culture. Multiple shoot initiation was successful, however problems were incurred with elongation of the meristems. Current research is targeting this aspect and various techniques are being tested.

In 1997 a project was initiated attempting to root cuttings taken from commercial seedlings. As the material was only a few months old, the percentage rooting was very high, in some cases over 70%. This was repeated with material from other seedlings as well as from 18-month-old seed orchard trees at Bloemendal, and once again a fair degree of success was achieved. The first batch of cuttings produced was planted at Bloemendal in a small block that also included the plantlets established via tissue culture, and these cuttings are performing as well as the seedlings. The next step was to get some of the current breeding material into hedges for the future production of clones. At this time a new series of PSOs was being established in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, comprising 43 open pollinated families selected for their superior volume from the results of a number of progeny trials. Cuttings from 31 families were taken and used to establish family hedges, comprising individuals from the same mother tree but with possibly different pollen parents i.e. half-sibs. These hedges were allowed to grow and once sufficient material was available, cuttings were taken for the establishment of field trials.

To date five field trials have been established and have two fundamental aims; firstly, to test the performance of the cuttings

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 15 compared to seedlings, and secondly, to test for the possible loss of vigour and rooting ability of the cuttings, as the hedges mature. These trials are measured on an annual basis and are reaching half rotation where a full assessment will be made and early volume predictions undertaken. To date, the performance of the cuttings families is similar to the seedling families, but not necessary good enough to warrant a clonal programme being initiated. However, it is necessary to master this technique, as vegetative propagation will become increasingly important within the Sterility Project for the future propagation of triploid black wattle.

Other activities during the past twelve months have included routine thinning, rouging and maintenance operations in the young production seed orchards and other trials and preparation of these PSO’s for future seed collection.

Highlights & Progress 2004 • First year height measurements of the five sub- populations from the new breeding and production strategy have been analysed and early results show that there is great potential for genetic gain in future. • A document has been produced on the management of the seedling orchards detailing how landowners will be compensated for the loss of opportunity and other expenses incurred during the establishment and management of these orchards; • Seed collected from the top 10% families in all the breeding seedling orchards will be used to establish the sixth sub-population of the new breeding and production strategy, later this year.

STERILE WATTLE

Although Acacia mearnsii is a leading commercially grown tree species in South Africa, it is also a classified invader of indigenous vegetation. The development of a seedless or sterile wattle variety would be beneficial to the Industry and the environment.

This project is investigating the viability of producing sterile or seedless black wattle trees, both by gamma irradiation of seeds and seedlings, and by the production of a triploid variety of black wattle. The aim of the project is to ultimately guarantee Bagging of black wattle flowers for cross-pollination. that all the seed sold or distributed to growers will produce sterile or seedless trees, hence reducing the possible spread of black wattle from commercial plantations.

Page 16 Annual Research Review 2004 Triploid Induction Black wattle This approach entails crossing diploids with chemically-induced tetraploids, in an attempt to produce viable triploid seed, which can be grown commercially. Due to the uneven number of chromosomes present in the triploid, the trees will potentially be unable to undergo successful sexual reproduction, resulting in a reduced seed set and/ or sterile trees. To date, tetraploids have successfully been induced by treating chipped seed with 0.01 % colchicine for a period of six hours. In 2002, a trial was established at Bloemendal where 400 six-month- old colchicine-induced tetraploids were planted. Prior to this, random stomatal length studies were conducted to confirm the trees were true tetraploids, and on average, there was a 91% Fully opened raceme with many individual flowers. success rate of tetraploid induction. After eight months in the field, survival was good (89.5%) and the growth rate of the tetraploids appeared to be above normal when compared to diploids of the same age. First year height measurements taken during February 2003 showed a mean height of 3.62 m, but ranging from 1.4 m to 6.1 m (SE=1.474). This high variation is more than likely due to the presence of mixoploids. The average height of untreated seedlings of the same age, planted alongside the trial was significantly different (p<0.01) at 4.36 m (SE=0.607). From the two year dbh measurements, taken earlier this year, the mean dbh of the diploids was 7.54 cm, significantly higher (p=0.039) from that of the tetraploids (6.79 cm). The growth performance of colchicine-induced tetraploids in the field will continue to be monitored.

It was noted that a number of the trees had flowered the previous season (2003) and were bearing juvenile seed. In August 2004 five trees that were flowering were selected and unopened flowers were bagged for cross-pollinations. Three trees from PSO 9 at Bloemendal were also selected and unopened flowers bagged. Over a period of three weeks, cross-pollinations were conducted, with the diploid trees acting as pollen donors and as pollen receivers, and similarly with the colchicine-induced tetraploid trees. This was done in order to monitor any possibility of male sterility or incompatibility. Similarly, cross-pollinations between diploid and tetraploid seedlings were also conducted under nursery conditions using three-year old trees. In 18-months time the seed from cross- pollinations done in the field and nursery will be collected, and ploidy determination and viability studies will be conducted to determine if triploid induction was successful.

Two-year dbh measurements were taken in November 2004 from a second tetraploid trial, planted out in Bloemendal in 2002, with seedlings from three diploid and three known tetraploid families produced in the 1950’s. Significant differences (p<0.01) were noted, with the tetraploid families having dbh’s ranging from 4.09

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 17 to 4.34 cm and the diploid families dbh’s ranging from 6.56 to 7.24 cm. In August this year flowering was observed, and in general, there was more flowering in the tetraploid families (38.9% to 77.8%) than in the diploid families (25% to 58.3%) (Figure 1).

Ploidy Determination Research into the Figure 1. Flowering (%) of two-year-old diploid and tetraploid trees. Treatments denoted by the same letters are not significantly different (p<0.01). identification of a reliable, direct technique for ploidy analysis, other than chromosomal counts, has continued. One technique identified, involves using a flow cytometer, and samples from seedlings of three tetraploid and three diploid families were sent for ploidy determination using this technique. At the same time stomatal length measurements were done on the same seedlings, to compare the results from the direct technique against an indirect technique. Results showed that flow cytometry was successful in accurately distinguishing the diploids from tetraploids, and were highly correlated to those obtained from the indirect technique.

Induction of Early Flowering Initially it was thought that black wattle only starts flowering when it is approximately four years old, and therefore investigations into reducing the time to flowering are being undertaken, to help speed up the entire process of producing triploids. Paclobutrazol was applied to a thinned (simulated orchard) block of four-year-old trees at Bloemendal in 2002, in an attempt to induce and increase flowering. Three treatments of paclobutrazol were applied (60 trees per treatment) in a block design. The treatments were: • Control – no paclobutrazol; • 2.5 ml paclobutazol per 1 cm circumference (treatment A); and • 1.25 ml paclobutrazol per 1 cm circumference (treatment B)

Flower production, seed set and any signs of internode reduction (known symptoms of paclobutrazol treatments in other species) were monitored and compared to the control. In the 2003 season, there was no difference with respect to flowering between the two paclobutrazol treatments and the control plants. Many of the trees flowered the previous season, based on the seed set recorded and thus the flowering noted is likely Paclobutrazol application in the form of a soil drench, not to be due to the paclobutrazol treatments. to 2½-year-old trees in field. It is possible that the paclobutrazol should

Page 18 Annual Research Review 2004 have been applied to younger plants to be able to fully assess its effect in reducing the time to flowering. In 2004, flowering has been late and will only be monitored towards the middle of November. However, the effects of paclobutrazol are clearly visible in the reduction of internodal lengths, causing the new epicormic shoots to be tightly bunched. Flower production in the treated trees is expected to exceed that of the control trees. This trial will however, be continually monitored for increased flowering and seed set.

In August this year, the above experiment was repeated on a 30- month-old stand. Flowering was assessed later in the season and scored from 0 to 3 (0 - no flowering ; 1 – small amount; 2 - moderate; 3 - full flowering). At this stage there does not appear to be any significant difference (p>0.05) between the control and the two paclobutrazol treatments. Almost 100% of all the trees treated flowered, suggesting that black wattle flowers at an earlier age than previously thought.

Eighteen-month-old seedlings in the nursery, were also treated with paclobutrazol to determine whether early flowering can be induced. One season after paclobutrazol application (September/October 2003), flowering was assessed, and it was shown that 50% of the control plants were flowering, while only 20% of treatment A and 27% of treatment B were flowering. This season many of the seedlings flowered. Forty-two percent of the control plants flowered, 50% of the seedlings treated with treatment A and 47% treated with treatment B. The number of flowers produced on the paclobutrazol treated seedlings was significantly higher than the Bagged flowers for cross-pollinations, under nursery control seedlings. These findings are unique, conditions. as flowering of containerised black wattle seedlings under nursery conditions, has not been recorded to date.

Gamma Irradiation Induced Sterility Sterility can possibly also be induced through gamma irradiation of the seed before germination. Gamma irradiation disrupts the chromosomes responsible for sexual reproduction, resulting in infertile pollen or non-viable gametes. Flowering, seed set and viability studies are early phenotypic indicators of whether or not irradiation has been successful.

Black Wattle A range of irradiation levels have been tested to determine when the process is effective in inducing sterility, and at this stage, this ranges from 350 Gy to 420 Gy. This was determined through viability

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 19 studies. A field trial was established at Bloemendal in 2003, using 11 treatments: 0, 350 Gy, 380 Gy, 400 Gy, 420 Gy, 450 Gy, 480 Gy, 500 Gy, 520 Gy, 550 Gy, 600 Gy. First year height measurements were recorded but do not suggest that this characteristic can be used to identify irradiation damage with respect to inducing sterility. Flowering and seed set will be monitored and this will hopefully give a clearer indication. Flowering was assessed in the 2004 season, and the number of trees flowering was also recorded and expressed as a percentage. From the results recorded, there was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the number of trees flowering as well as in the degree of flowering at 400, 450 and 520 Gy irradiation levels. Irradiation damage has been effective at these levels in significantly reducing the degree of flowering. With reference to earlier viability studies conducted, the range in which irradiation damage was occurring was 420-480 Gy. The flowering results therefore confirm these earlier results. When comparing height measurements taken earlier this year with these flowering results, it is evident that at the irradiation levels where reduced flowering was recorded, acceptable growth (height at this stage) was noted. This is encouraging as it is essential that important growth characteristics e.g. height and dbh are not affected by the irradiation treatment.

Green Wattle Seed from three families, (A, B and C), were irradiated with a range of gamma irradiation levels. Based on viability studies it was determined that the effective range was between 400 Gy and 500 Gy. A field trial using three families was established at Bloemendal in 2003, with a range of gamma treatments. First year heights were recorded, and in all families it appeared that height decreased from around > 300 Gy. Flowering was assessed on a scale of 0-3 (0 - no flowering; 1- small amount; 2 - moderate; 3 - full) and the number of trees flowering was also monitored and expressed as a percentage.

In Family A there was both a reduction in the number of trees flowering and the degree of flowering at 450 Gy, and the average height at this level was significantly (p<0.05) less than the control (2.23 m versus 3.08 m). In Family B there was both a reduction in the number of trees flowering and the degree of flowering at 400 Gy although average height at this level was not significantly less than the control (2.29 m versus 3.43 m, respectively). In Family C there was both a reduction in the number of trees flowering and the degree of flowering at 300 Gy, and both were significantly (p<0.01) greater than the control. This possibly due to the poor performance of this family as a whole.

With reference to earlier viability studies conducted, the range in which irradiation damage was occurring for the three families tested, appeared to be between 400 Gy to 500 Gy. Flowering results obtained this season for all three families concur with these earlier findings and more specifically the effective range appears to be around 400 to 450 Gy. These results from the green wattle are similar to those obtained with the black wattle irradiation trial.

Page 20 Annual Research Review 2004 Seed set for both the green and black wattle irradiation trials will be monitored in the next six and eighteen months, respectively. Viability studies will be conducted and hopefully a specific level of irradiation can be selected which will result in either complete seedlessness or at least a significant reduction in seed set.

Vegetative Propagation Investigation into the vegetative propagation of black wattle is ongoing and remains important, especially with regards to the sterility project. Once triploidy has been induced in black wattle, these individuals will either not set seed or have a reduced seed set, and the seed that is set will in most cases be non-viable (Anon, 1974; Chaudhari and Barrow, 1975; Ramsey and Schemske, 1998). Triploid trees will have to be propagated vegetatively if they are to be used commercially.

Tissue Culture Based on previous results (Beck, 2000) it was concluded that the introduction of adult material into tissue culture (in vitro) can be successfully achieved using meristem explants. This was primarily due to the fact that these explants showed reduced levels of contamination in vitro as opposed to other types of explants tested. To date, it has been reported that meristems have been successfully placed in vitro and induced to produce multiple shoots, however problems were incurred with elongation of the meristems (Beck et al., 2000). Research is currently aimed at developing methods to induce shoot elongation. Various concentrations of gibberellic acid are also Meristem culture of black wattle using solid culture being tested under various growth conditions. medium. A new system using a mini-bioreactor will also be tested for mass propagation in vitro, known as RITA system, which has been extremely successful on coffee (Etienne-Barry et al., 1999) and Eucalyptus species (McAlister pers comm., 2004). If successful, this procedure would be extremely beneficial for cloning purposes as it allows for the propagation of adult material without any maturation effects.

Grafting In 2003, some grafting work was attempted on juvenile material with limited success. Following this, in a more extensive study in August 2004, scion from varying aged trees was collected and grafted onto the juvenile rootstock. The scion material was taken from trees at Bloemendal, ranging in age from two to ten years. The five-month-old plant material in the nursery, used as rootstock, was also grafted back onto itself as well as onto different plants of

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 21 the same age. After two months, 72% of the nursery material grafted back onto itself, successfully took. The nursery material grafted onto different plants of the same age, did not respond well and all grafts died, possibly due to unfavourable nursery conditions. The grafts from the other age groups responded poorly but those that did survive were healthy. Even though the results were poor, they are encouraging and possibly, with control of storage conditions of the plant material after grafting, greater success could be Examples of successful grafts from each of the age groups tested. achieved. Research will continue next year.

Highlights & Progress 2004 • Implementation of an accurate, direct technique for ploidy identification (flow cytometry). • Cross-pollinations between diploid and tetraploids have been made to produce triploid progeny. • Gamma irradiation trials for both green and black wattle, through the use of flowering assessments, have identified that 400-450 Gy could be the irradition level where seedlessness or reduction in seed set is being induced.

SPECIES TESTING

The South African Forest Industry is expressing interest in Acacia species other than A. mearnsii, as a possible source of fibre. Specific objectives of this project are: • to identify other Acacia species that may be of commercial importance to the South African Forestry Industry; and • once identified, to establish provenance/progeny trials of these new species and to improve them.

Two mixed species trials were initiated at Piet Retief and Bloemendal, one A. decurrens (green wattle) and one A. dealbata (silver wattle).

A. dealbata (silver wattle) The A. dealbata trial planted with families originating from New South Wales, Victoria, ACT in Australia and from Tasmania was unfortunately felled as part of the Estate’s certification process. However, the species showed great promise as far as stem form and growth was concerned.

Page 22 Annual Research Review 2004 A. decurrens (green wattle) During February 2001 seven green wattle families, all from New South Wales in Australia, were planted at Bloemendal. Two local commercial families were included as controls. Diameter breast height measurements were recorded at two and three years. The average dbh’s at three years varied from 7.52 (Tarago) to 9.79 cm (Running Stream), with a trial mean of 8.78 cm. At this stage the South African seedlots are performing as well as the Australian seedlots (6.65 and 9.28 cm). The mean family survival at this stage was 39.29%, varying from 25% (Goulburn) to 55% (Tarago). The local seedlots had only 20% survival. The trial is ongoing at Bloemendal, and although not well stocked, it does demonstrate (as have other trials) that green wattle is an option as a fibre producer for South Africa. Due to the poor survival and performance of this trial, it was decided to repeat it, and seed has been chipped and sown and will be planted out in 2005, at Bloemendal.

Mixed Species Trial This project has identified other Acacia species that may be of value to the South African Forestry Industry, and highlighted the need for extensive provenance testing. From the mixed species trials on four species, namely A. mearnsii, A. decurrens, A. dealbata and A. silvestris, results indicate that the South African A. mearnsii seed orchard material is best suited to the Piet Retief area, with the South African commercial and Australian unimproved A. mearnsii also performing well. Samples taken to assess the wood and pulping properties of four species have been partly analysed. The cross- sectional discs taken for density analysis have been processed and the mean disc densities for the four species are shown in Figure 2. Discs were taken at ten heights up the tree to assess any variation in density from the base of the tree to the top of the tree. Results showed that there seems to be very little variation from the base of the tree (position 1) to the top of the tree (position 10). The density of A. dealbata is considerably lower that the other three species and probably excludes this species from export due to the lower mass for shipping. The other species have densities favourable for pulp production. The billets taken for pulp yield assessments have been chipped and are awaiting pulp testing. Once these tests have been completed and the results analysed, a more educated assessment of the future of these species in South Africa will be possible.

The trial at Piet Retief will be felled late in 2004 and the rehabilitation of the site is a major issue as it is inundated with Acacia seed from all of the species planted in the trial, not to mention possible hybrid seed. The site must be carefully managed until there is no threat of any seed escaping. Figure 2: Mean disc densities of the four Acacia species sampled at the Piet Retief Acacia species trial.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 23 Highlights & Progress 2004 • Three species other than A. mearnsii, have been identified as potential sources of alternative fibre, namely A. decurrens, A. dealbata and A. silvestris, although the lower density of A. dealbata would probably exclude this species from export. Pulp yield assessments are underway.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Acacia Tree Improvement Team would like to thank all the foresters and contractors involved in maintaining the trials in this programme. Bill Woodhouse from Bloemendal needs special Five year old Acacia sylvestris. mention for his co-operation and efforts during the past year. Sunshine Seedling Services is thanked for its contribution to the continued vegetative propagation research with black wattle.

REFERENCES

Anon. 1974. Abstracts of International Symposium. Haploids in higher plants - advances and potentials, 10th-14th June, Department of Crop Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Beck S L. 2004. Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) sterility research status report. ICFR Bulletin Series 08/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Beck S L. 2000. Doctoral Thesis, School of Botany and Zoology, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Beck S L, Dunlop R and van Staden J. 2000. Meristem culture of Acacia mearnsii. Plant Growth Regulation 32: 49-58. Chaudhari H K and Barrow J R. 1975. Identification of cotton haploids by stomatal chloroplast-counts technique. Crop Science 15: 760-762. Etienne-Barry D, Bertrand B, Vasquez N and Eitenne H. 1999. Direct sowing of Coffea arabica somatic embryos mass-produced in a bioreactor and regeneration of plants. Plant Cell Reports 19: 111-117. Godsmark R. 2003. The importance of the forestry and forest products industry in KwaZulu-Natal 2003. (Slideshow). In: FSA Facts (pdf file) on the ICFR Information Management System. McAlister B. 2004. Researcher, Mondi Forests Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Ness B. 1998. Polyploidy : More is Better. wysiwyg://52/http:// botany.miningco.com/...ation/botany/library/weekly/ aa032598.htm. Ramsey J and Schemske D W. 1998. Pathways, mechanisms and rates of ploidy formation in flowering plants. Annual Reviews of Ecology and Systematics 29: 467-501. WRI. 1952. Genetics. Report from the Wattle Research Institute, South Africa.

Page 24 Annual Research Review 2004 OUTPUTS

Reports and Papers Beck S L. 2004. Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) sterility research status report. ICFR Bulletin Series 08/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Beck, S.L. 2004. Meristem Culture of Acacia mearnsii (black wattle). ICFR Report. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Beck S L, Dunlop R W and Fossey A. 2003. Colchicine induction of polyploid in Acacia mearnsii (De Wild). Southern African Journal of Botany 69 (4): 563-567. Beck S L, Visser G and Dunlop R W. 2004. A comparison of direct (flow cytometry) and indirect (stomatal length and chloroplast numbers within stoma) techniques as a measure of ploidy level in black wattle, Acacia mearnsii (De Wild). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society (in review). Dunlop R W. 2004. Rehabilitation of the Piet Retief Municipality site of the ICFR Acacia species trial. ICFR Report, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Dunlop R W. 2004. Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) Production Seed Orchard Management Document. ICFR Report, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Dunlop R W, Barnes R A, Hagedorn S F and Nixon K M. 2003. A breeding strategy for Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) in South Africa. Southern African Forestry Journal 199: 55-64. Dunlop R W, Resende M D V and Beck S L. 2004 Early assessment of first year height data from five Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) sub-populations in South Africa using REML/BLUP. Silvae Genetica (in review).

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 25 Eucalypt Tree Improvement The Team Programme Manager: Tammy Swain Robin Gardner Colin Chiappero Christopher Komakech Alpheos Ntombela Robert Nkonde Patrick Thabethe Thulani Nsindane Assisted by: Denis Oscroft Blessing Mbentse Musa Mkhwanazi

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

The objectives of this programme are: • to selectively improve various Eucalyptus species that have the potential to grow over a range of high and low productivity sites; and • to produce improved seed of these species.

Trials in this programme test provenances and progeny of Eucalyptus species which have the potential to grow on sites that are not optimum for the growth of E. grandis. These sites are generally those that are temperate with a mean annual temperature (MAT) lower than 16oC, and frost and snow risk. More recently, trials have been established to investigate alternate species for subtropical sites in Zululand. These species are alternatives to E. grandis in terms of disease resistance, increased density and some drought tolerance, and as alternatives to some of the hybrid parents in that region. Trials are established on a range of sites within the species’ climatic range and are assessed for characteristics related to site conditions, such as cold, frost and drought tolerance. Apart from the emphasis on selection for traditional characteristics such as improved growth, cold tolerance, and insect and disease resistance, there is now also a strong focus on investigating the wood properties of species, with selections undergoing analysis for pulp properties where possible. Breeding strategies are developed for each species such that gains are made effectively and timeously, and can be deployed commercially in as short a time as possible.

Page 26 Annual Research Review 2004 Apart from production of seed for the continuation of the different breeding programmes, one of the main outputs of the programme is the supply of commercial quantities of improved seed, pollen and scion to sponsors. Therefore the establishment and management of both Breeding Seed Orchards (BSOs) and Clonal Seed Orchards (CSOs) are of utmost importance. However, there are several problems relating to the flowering and subsequent seed production of several of the species in the programme, particularly the cold tolerant eucalypts (CTEs). Thus studies into the processes affecting flowering and seed production have been initiated. Methods are also being developed for managing seed orchards such that seed is successfully produced and accessible.

The Eucalypt Tree Improvement programme comprises a number of projects, and during the past year, detailed investigations of the species E. nitens, E. macarthurii, E. badjensis and the two subtropical species E. longirostrata and E. henryi have been undertaken. Flowering research and seed production for a range of species is also ongoing.

TREE IMPROVEMENT IN EUCALYPTUS NITENS

At present, the ICFR breeding programme for E. nitens consists of a base population of trials (P0), BSOs and CSOs, together with trials and BSOs of a small number (81) of F1 families/progeny. The progeny trials comprise only those families which had flowered and produced seed at time of establishment (site and progeny trial details can be found in Swain et al., 2004). Since then, seed has been collected from the majority of the remaining selected families. However, prior to proceeding any further with advanced generation trial establishment and seed production, a comprehensive, advanced breeding strategy needs to be developed for E. nitens. Several issues need to be clarified, including a comparison of expected and realised genetic gains in the progeny and heritabilities of traits of interest.

To this end, both height and diameter (dbh) measurements were carried out in the progeny trials 56 months after planting, and basal area and volume calculated to give some indication of family survival. Comprehensive results can be found in Swain et al. (2004), but in summary: • all of the unimproved local and international E. nitens controls performed below both the trial average and the majority of progeny at both sites; • both of the improved South African seed orchard bulks performed above average at both sites and better than any of the local and international controls, with no significant differences existing between the two bulks; and • tree survival of the F1 progeny was far better than that of the controls.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 27 Significant gains over both local commercial material and unimproved P0 material, can be expected by using an improved E. nitens bulk: • increases ranging from 1.35 cm (15.8%) to 2.46 cm (24%) dbh were found for both BSO bulks over the local commercial control; • increases ranging from 1.01 cm (10.3%) to 3.01 cm (31.1%) dbh were found for both BSO bulks over the bulk of the P0 seedlots; • at present, the BSO bulks comprise seed from the top 70% of F1 families, and indications are that future commercial bulks made up of the top 20% of families, for example, would have even greater gains over the P0 material.

Highlights & Progress 2004 Second generation E. nitens progeny trial at Lebanon at XX • Genetic parameters for 1st and 2nd generation E. months. nitens have been calculated, and the significant provenance effects and high realised gains confirm that improvement is possible using conventional breeding strategies.

TREE IMPROVEMENT IN EUCALYPTUS MACARTHURII

Eucalyptus macarthurii is the most frost tolerant of the CTEs grown commercially in South Africa, and is often the only eucalypt species that will grow on certain temperate sites. A comprehensive breeding programme for this species has been ongoing over the past two decades, and tremendous gains have been made in the two generations of breeding that have been completed by the ICFR (Swain, 2003a).

nd Table 1. Genetic correlations (rg) and phenotypic correlations (rp) for various traits in 2 generation E. macarthurii progeny trials at two sites at 95 months. 1 Diameter over bark 2 Diameter under bark

Page 28 Annual Research Review 2004 Although phenotypic correlations have previously been calculated and reported on for the 2nd generation material (Swain, 2003b), genetic parameters had not been calculated for this population. This has now been done, and both genetic correlations and phenotypic correlations for various traits are summarised in Table 1.

These correlations show that, as expected, there is a high positive genetic correlation for diameter over bark (DOB) and diameter under bark (DUB), which means that DOB can be used on standing trees for selections infield. There is a slight negative genetic correlation between DUB and stem form, indicating that stem form tends to improve with increasing diameter.

Initial results of pulping studies on a range of material (used by CSIR to develop the E. macarthurii NIRA model) (Sefara et al., 2002) indicate that the species does not have favourable screened pulp yields (45.64 to 49.95%). However, interest in some of the fibre and pulping properties has led to further comprehensive testing of Collection of discs from E. macarthurii 15 2nd generation families from two sites each, during 2nd generation progeny trials for pulp testing. 2004. Once the results of this study have been received, a final decision on the future of the breeding programme for this species can be made.

Highlights & Progress 2004 • Samples were collected from 2nd generation sub- populations for comprehensive fibre and pulp testing at Mondi Kraft Mill. These samples, collected over several sites, may provide sufficient information on the pulping properties of this species to finally decide on its future in the South African Forestry Industry.

TREE IMPROVEMENT IN EUCALYPTUS DUNNII

In South Africa, E. dunnii has a growth rate, form and gum bark similar to that of E. grandis, and has the best natural stem form of the CTEs, with very little taper. It is an important species for the Central forestry region of South Africa, and grows well in the cooler growing areas on sites too cold and/or too dry for E. grandis, and too warm for E. nitens. All historic E. dunnii data has recently been analysed for top breakage, as this is a problem in commercial compartments that are exposed to high winds. It was found that very few families in the ICFR breeding population were prone to top breakage.

Seed has been collected for the establishment of the 2nd generation of progeny trials and associated BSOs, and preparations are

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 29 underway for the establishment of these, as well as genetic gain/ seed source trials.

Highlights & Progress 2004 • An advanced generation breeding strategy has been developed for E. dunnii, ultimately allowing for maximising gains using improved seed in commercial plantations.

TREE IMPROVEMENT IN EUCALYPTUS SMITHII

Highlights & Progress 2004 • The 2nd generation of progeny trials and BSOs have been established (despite poor seed production over the last few years. As a result, improvement in terms of growth, tolerance to Phytophthora and stem form can now be continued. • The new series of low altitude provenance trials and related BSOs have been established. These trials play a key role in determining which provenances and seedlots are suited to growth on lower altitude sites (750 to 1050 m) than E. smithii is normally grown in South Africa.

Six month old E. smithii at XX

TREE IMPROVEMENT IN EUCALYPTUS BADJENSIS

During the 1980s, the timber growing areas for pulp and paper production in South Africa expanded into higher altitude, more temperate sites, and, at the time, several cold tolerant Eucalyptus species were investigated for commercial plantings in these areas. However, despite the establishment of many of these species as “Cold Tolerant Eucalypts” in South Africa, there is still a need for alternative, better adapted species with greater frost and snow hardiness than E. dunnii and E. smithii, or greater snow hardiness and better pulping properties than E. macarthurii. The most promising species identified by site-species interaction trials in the early 1990s are E. badjensis and E. benthamii (Darrow, 1994; 1996; Gardner, 1999; 2000a). Indications from site-species and provenance trials suggest that E. badjensis is as cold and frost tolerant as E. nitens, but also grows very well at lower altitudes (1 000 m).

Provenance/progeny trials were established in the mid-1990s with E. badjensis. Results of growth assessments at 100 months after planting indicate that although there were no significant differences

Page 30 Annual Research Review 2004 between the Badja and Brown Mountain provenances, the top performing families at both sites were, with only a few exceptions, all from the Badja provenance (Swain and Jones, 2004). Initial dissolving pulp evaluations on E. badjensis selections in site-species interaction trials are promising, with the species producing pulp yields second only to E. smithii (Gardner, 2001). Mondi Kraft has conducted kraft pulp tests on 67 selections from a total of 15 families in the ICFR Lothair trial, and the majority of selections have a screened pulp yield of between 51 and 54%, Felling of E. badjensis selections for pulp testing. which is extremely favourable.

The expected niche for this species is on sites of moderately high altitude (1200 m to 1550 m), where frosts are too severe and conditions too cold for acceptable growth of species such as E. grandis, E. dunnii and A. mearnsii, but excluding high, exposed ground where exceptionally heavy winter snows are likely.

Highlights & Progress 2004 • The initial kraft pulp tests on E. badjensis show that the screened pulp yield for this species is between 51 and 54%.

ZULULAND SPECIES – E. HENRYI AND E. LONGIROSTRATA

Provenance/progeny trials and BSOs of the two new sub-tropical species, E. henryi and E. longirostrata (formerly E. punctata var longirostrata) were established at three sites in Zululand during 2001. These species have both performed well in the ICFR site- species interaction trials, and are being investigated as alternative eucalypt species for growth on the coastal plain, particularly on sites that are not optimum for growth of E. grandis. Diameter at breast height (dbh) was measured in two of the trials at 23 months, and basal area calculated. The basal area data for the E. longirostrata and E. henryi trials are presented in Tables 2 and 3 respectively.

Overall growth and survival have been much better at Salpine than at Nyalazi, which was expected, as Salpine has better site and climatic conditions for growth. At Salpine, the Mt Moffat provenance of E. longirostrata performed significantly worse than Coominglah and Starkvale Creek provenances for basal area, but there were no other significant differences between the provenances. There were no significant differences between the E. henryi provenances for basal area at Salpine.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 31 Table 2. Ranking of the top 15 E. longirostrata families and controls, according to 23 month basal areas at Salpine and Nyalazi. • No significant difference between top families

Table 3. Ranking of the top 15 E. henryi families and controls, according to 23 month basal areas at Salpine and Nyalazi. • No significant difference between top families

At the more favourable site for growth, Salpine, the hybrid controls (i.e. GU 210, GU A380 and GC 121) outperformed all E. longirostrata and E. henryi families. This is not surprising, as these hybrids were bred for these site conditions. However, the top families of both species outperformed all of the pure E. grandis controls, indicating

Page 32 Annual Research Review 2004 that, with improvement, both of these species would be viable replacements for E. grandis.

At the drier site, Nyalazi, the converse was true, in that the top families of both species outperformed all controls, whether hybrid or pure E. grandis. This indicates that both E. henryi and E. longirostrata are alternative eucalypt species for successful growth on the drier sites of the Zululand Coastal Plains.

Three-year-old E. henryii at Salpine.

Highlights & Progress 2004 • Analyses of two year measurements have been completed and indicate that both E. henryi and E. longirostrata are able to out-perform commercial hybrids and commercial E. grandis on the drier sites in Zululand. • Early results also indicate that seed from any of the five E. henryi provenances tested could be planted on the Zululand Coastal Plains, until improved seed becomes available. (However, seedlots from the Mt Moffat provenance of E. longirostrata should not be established on the Zululand Coastal Plains).

FLOWERING RESEARCH AND SEED PRODUCTION

Flowering research Many of the CTEs are either shy/reticent flowerers (E. nitens, E. smithii and E. badjensis) or hold the ripening seed for lengthy periods (E. smithii and E. dunnii). This results in: • delays in generation turn-over in the different breeding programmes; • delays in production of improved seed; and • less gain being deployed commercially.

Due to apparently unfavourable climatic conditions for floral bud production, tree breeders and commercial seed producers in South Africa are virtually totally reliant on applications of the growth regulator paclobutrazol to induce flowering and produce even a limited amount of seed in these species (Gardner, 2004a). It is therefore a high priority to develop an understanding of the flowering processes in the CTEs, such that manipulation of these processes may be done to hasten and improve flowering and ultimately, production of improved seed. To this end, several projects have been initiated which investigate different aspects of flowering in CTEs, one of which is reported on below.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 33 Floral induction in temperate eucalypt species Winter cold has been identified as an important stimulus for floral induction in temperate eucalypts (Moncur and Hasan, 1994; Williams et al., 1999), but little is known about optimal cold temperatures, and timing and duration of the cold required (Gardner, 2004a). The comparatively abundant flower bud production of E. nitens at specific high altitude sites in the summer rainfall region suggested that cumulative cold could be implicated in the floral induction process. Series of field trials and semi-controlled environment trials were thus undertaken with E. nitens between 1996 and 2001 to investigate this, and three chill models were used to investigate whether winter temperature data could be related to E. nitens flower bud production. In the field trials, not only was the relationship between winter chilling and subsequent floral bud crop production investigated, but also the relationship between cumulative winter drought conditions and floral bud crop. In the trials under semi- controlled environmental conditions, the effect of applied winter chilling on floral bud production and photosynthetic efficiency was investigated (Gardner, 2003).

In the field trials, the amount of accumulated winter chill, in conjunction with paclobutrazol treatment, accounted for 66 and 72% of the variation in E. nitens flower bud production at four and five years after planting, respectively (Gardner, 2004a). Although the potential chilling requirement of E. nitens was calculated with similar accuracy by each of the chill models tested, the Dynamic Model gave better (although non-significantly so) results overall. At low to moderate levels of winter chill (41 to 72 Chilling Portions (CPs) of the Dynamic Model), paclobutrazol application significantly increased flower bud production. However, at high levels of winter chill (> 76 CPs) the effect of paclobutrazol was negligible. Very high levels of accumulated winter chill (88 CPs) stimulated a high percentage of seedlings (25 - 50%) and grafts (55 - 77%) to produce flower buds. Cumulative winter drought did not promote floral bud production (Gardner, 2003).

In the semi-controlled environment trials, cold suppressed vegetative growth and induced flowering in paclobutrazol-treated, 18-month-old grafted trees. Cold without paclobutrazol did not promote floral bud production. The results suggest that accumulated winter chill units (according to the Dynamic Model) are more effective than accumulated cold hours (hours below 5 0C). A high number of cold hours (1366 hours) reduced photosynthetic efficiency, but did not induce flowering. Furthermore, photosynthetic efficiency remained high for the moderate cold treatments which did induce flowering, suggesting

Page 34 Annual Research Review 2004 that stress is not correlated to flowering in E. nitens (Gardner, 2003).

The results of these trial series suggest that precocity and floral productivity in the South African E. nitens breeding population are under strong genetic control. Better accuracy in predicting flower bud crops in E. nitens could be achieved by reducing genetic variability and increasing the range of chilling conditions in similar trials in future. The results have indicated that future research should focus on further narrowing and defining of the optimum chilling (temperature) criteria for floral induction in E. nitens. The developed technology may be applicable to other important, yet shy-flowering, temperate eucalypt species such as E. smithii, E. dunnii and E. badjensis.

To further investigate this, thirteen new field trials consisting of grafted material of E. nitens and E. smithii were established across a spectrum of chilling conditions (sites) in the summer rainfall region, from the most southern site at Maclear (North East Cape), to Graskop (Mpumalanga) in the north, from December 2003 to March 2004 (Gardner, 2004b). The trials are in the establishment phase, and the first results are anticipated in 2007.

Seed production Seed collections were carried out in the following seed orchards during 2004: • bulk collection of E. dunnii at Kia Ora BSO (E90/01 series), o for commercial deployment; • individual tree collections of E. dunnii at Piet Retief and Tweedie CSOs (Grafted Seed Orchards – E90/01 series), o for establishment of the second generation trials, inclusion in sponsor breeding programmes and commercial deployment; • bulk collection of E. nitens at Blyfstaanhoogte CSO, o for establishment of the second generation trials, inclusion in sponsor breeding programmes Collection of E. macarthurii seed from and commercial deployment; Jessievalie BSO. • individual tree collections of E. nitens at Amsterdam BSO, and bulk collection at Jessievale BSOs, o for establishment of further E. nitens second generation trials, inclusion in sponsor breeding programmes and commercial deployment; • individual tree and bulk collection of E. benthamii at Woodstock BSO, o for sponsor breeding programmes and commercial deployment; and • bulk seed collection of E. macarthurii at Jessievale BSO, o for commercial deployment.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 35 Highlights & Progress 2004 • Research into the effect of cumulative winter chill on flowering in E. nitens has provided a broad range of the chilling units required for floral bud induction in the species. It has also led to a better understanding of the interaction between floral induction, winter chill and the growth regulator, paclobutrazol. Practically, this research provides information which will aid with correct siting of BSOs for improved flower and seed production. • A long-term management plan for ICFR seed orchards has been drawn up, which will assist with more effective seed production of improved material.

REFERENCES

Darrow W K. 1994. Species trials of cold-tolerant eucalypts in the summer rainfall zone of South Africa. ICFR Bulletin Series 10/ 1994. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Darrow W K. 1996. Species trials of cold-tolerant eucalypts in the summer rainfall zone of South Africa: Results at six years of age. ICFR Bulletin Series 09/1996. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Falconer D S. 1981. Introduction to Quantitative Genetics. 2nd Edition. 335 pp. Gardner R A W. 1999. Site-Species Interaction. ICFR Annual Research Report 1999. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. pp 28-34. Gardner R A W. 2000a. Site-Species Interaction. ICFR Annual Research Report 2000. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. pp 13-18. Gardner R A W. 2001. Site-species interaction studies with cold tolerant eucalypts at high altitudes in South Africa. In: Proceedings of IUFRO Working Party 2.08.03, “Developing the eucalypt of the future”, Valdivia, Chile, 10th-14th September. Gardner R A W. 2003. Floral induction in Eucalyptus nitens (Deane & Maiden) MAIDEN in South Africa. MSc thesis, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Gardner R A W. 2004a. Floral induction investigations with Eucalyptus nitens in South Africa. In: Proceedings of IUFRO Working Group 2.08.03, “Eucalyptus in a changing world”, Aveiro, Portugal, 11th- 15th October, pp 168-170. Gardner R A W. 2000b. Eucalypt flowering studies: new trials established. ICFR Newsletter May 2004. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. pp 3. Moncur M W and Boland D J. 2000. Production of genetically improved Eucalyptus nitens seed for reforestation. Australian Forestry 63: 211-217. Sefara N l, Andrew J E and Turner P. 2002. Development of a near- infrared (NIR) calibration model to predict pulp yield of Eucalyptus

Page 36 Annual Research Review 2004 macarthurii species. ICFR Report, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Swain T-L. 2003a. ICFR Annual Research Review 2003. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. pp 18-27. Swain T-L. 2003b. Second generation Eucalyptus macarthurii trials. Eucalypt Interest Group Meeting ICFR Piet Retief Field Day, Piet Retief, 2nd April. Swain T-L, Chiappero C C and Komakech C. 2004. Early and mid- rotation results of 2nd generation E. nitens progeny trials. ICFR Bulletin Series 13/2004. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Swain T-L and Gardner R A W. 2002. Use of site-species matching and genetic gain to maximise yield - a South African example. In: Proceedings of “International Symposium Eucalyptus Plantations: Research, Management and Development”, Guangzhou, Guandong, P.R. China, 1st–6th September, pp 174- 179. Swain T-L and Jones W. 2004. Full rotation measurements of E. badjensis trials in the summer rainfall region of South Africa. ICFR Bulletin Series 01/2004. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Swain T-L, Chiappero C C and Komakech C. 2004. Early and mid- rotation results of 2nd generation E. nitens progeny trials. ICFR Bulletin Series 13/2004. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Williams D A, Ross J J, Reid J B and Potts B M. 1999. Response of Eucalyptus nitens seedlings to gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitors. Plant Growth Regulation 27: 125-129.

OUTPUTS

Reports and papers Gardner R A W and Bertling I. 2004. Effect of winter chilling and paclobutrazol on floral bud production in Eucalyptus nitens. South African Journal of Botany. Accepted October 2004 (in print). Swain T-L. 2004 An advanced generation breeding strategy for E. dunnii. ICFR Report. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Swain T-L and Gardner R A W. 2004. Cold Tolerant Eucalypts in South Africa – growth information for informed site-species matching in SA. Southern African Forestry Journal 202: 83-84. Swain T-L and Jones W. 2004. Full rotation measurements of E. badjensis trials in the summer rainfall region of South Africa. ICFR Bulletin Series 01/2004. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Swain T-L, Chiappero C C and Komakech C. 2004. Early and mid- rotation results of 2nd generation E. nitens progeny trials. ICFR Bulletin Series 13/2004. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 37 Plantation Re-establishment Research The Team Programme Manager: Keith Little Carol Rolando Paul Viero Gert van den Berg Gavin Higgs Abednigo Colvelle Assisted by: Denis Oscroft Musa Mkhwanazi Greg Fuller Patrick Thabethe

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Regeneration is defined as the act of renewing tree cover through the re- establishment of young trees, either naturally (by coppice) or artificially (by direct seeding or planting). Silviculture during regeneration is normally directed towards creating and maintaining the kind of forest that best fulfils the objectives of the owner, where the returns are in terms of timber production (although other goals may exist). Any factor, or combination of factors that adversely affects regeneration will adversely affect timber production.

The main objective of this Programme is to investigate and quantify the effects of environmental and physiographic factors, as well as different silvicultural practices, on planting stock physiology, in terms of survival, growth and uniformity. The understanding gained will be used to develop cost-effective recommendations that minimise stress during re-establishment and maximise survival, growth and uniformity for a range of sites, species and management objectives within commercial plantations.

All outcomes derived from research in the Plantation Re- establishment Research Programme will be governed by the following three principles: • Any technique or methodology used in regeneration research must subscribe to principles of sustainable land use currently required for forestry certification;

Page 38 Annual Research Review 2004 • Innovative ways need to be sought for the development and transfer of any existing or new techniques and methodologies, and; • Any new research needs to take into account the integration of the various phases that make up the total silvicultural process of tree establishment.

There are five main project areas within the Plantation Re- establishment Research Programme: Vegetation Management; Coppice Management; Pine and Eucalypt Regeneration Research; Plantation Forestry Sustainability Initiative; and the Pine Fusarium Working Group.

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

Vegetation management in plantations of all commercially grown timber species has the potential to improve tree growth and yield. The use of ecologically acceptable and cost-effective vegetation management techniques, together with the optimum timing of these operations, is particularly important during tree establishment. Additional benefits for commercial tree species may include reduced mortality, increased stem and stand uniformity and reduced time to canopy closure. Before weed control recommendations could be made, it was important to assess the impact of weed growth on tree performance (determine the need to weed) across different physiographic and climatic regions. In order to obtain this information, a number of trials were planned and established in the mid-1990’s across a range of sites and species. Many of these trials continue to provide a wealth of information regarding the long- term impact of weed control on tree performance.

For the purposes of prioritisation and determining funding levels, the Vegetation Management project has, until now, been divided into two distinct sections, Adaptive Vegetation Management research, and the Commercial Deployment of Weed Control Standards. The successful implementation of the trials that formed part of the latter project (Weed Control Standards), has meant that they will be incorporated into one project from 2005 onwards.

Adaptive Vegetation Management The main objective of this project was to develop commercially applicable, cost-effective, environmentally sound and robust recommendations for vegetation management in commercial tree plantations, to match a range of sites and management options. Most of the pine and eucalypt trials within this project were implemented at the request of our sponsor companies, the main objectives being to:

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 39 • test the principles behind vegetation management (the need to carry out weed control); • determine the need for post-establishment weed control; • determine the most competitive functional groups of vegetation for possible selective control; • quantify the interaction between vegetation management and other silvicultural practices (such as site preparation/fertilisation and residue management); and • understand the processes involved with competition to ensure that robust recommendations can be more widely extrapolated.

Commercial Deployment of Weed Control Standards. Once the necessity for weed control had been demonstrated for tree species grown in the summer rainfall region of South Africa, tentative recommendations could be made. Whether these recommendations are practically and economically viable can only be tested on a commercial basis. Going hand in hand with this is the out-sourcing of current weed control operations to weed control contractors.

This has created the need for minimum standards against which they can be assessed. Information obtained from these trials will be of immediate and practical use to the forest industry in: • allowing companies to adjust their weed control budgets on a regional scale; and Post-establishment weed control in pines (after the first pruning operations) has not resulted in • also providing companies with tree growth data significant gains in yield. and weed control costs for various weed control treatments within one region.

A series of pine and eucalypt trials were planned and implemented across broad physiographic regions (linked to altitude), the purpose of these trials being to: • compare different commercially applied weed control “treatments” (ICFR and Company) on a commercial basis; • implement the trials within a logical framework such that future recommendations can be of benefit to the companies; and • link cost-benefit scenarios for the different “treatments” to that of tree performance.

The eucalypt trials will reach a stage during 2005, where the cost:benefit scenarios associated with each treatment can be determined. Due to the slower growth of the pines, and problems associated with their implementation, data will only be available from 2006 onwards. Similarly, post-establishment weed control in eucalypts (after canopy closure) has not resulted in significant yield increases.

Page 40 Annual Research Review 2004 Highlights & Progress 2004 • The successful implementation of the eucalypt commercial weeding trials. The cost:benefit data obtained from these trials has the potential to be of direct benefit to the forest industry. • Participation of Keith Little in the 4th International Weeds Science Congress, as an organiser and speaker. Keith Little and Carol Rolando were also involved in the production of three review papers (as main or co-author), two posters and three post-congress tours. International forest weed scientists were exposed to South African forestry in general, as well as current weed control practices/research. • Completion of the eucalypt post-canopy weed control trial series.

COPPICE MANAGEMENT

Past coppice research at the ICFR was conducted mainly on Eucalyptus grandis in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Although this research provided sound recommendations, many of which are still in use, additional issues were raised that could not be answered from previous trials. Some of these issues relate to: • the determination of the minimum levels of stocking (stumps) before replanting should be considered; • the differences in growth, volume and wood properties between coppiced and re-planted stands of similar genetic material; • the coppicing potential of species other than E. grandis (E. nitens, E. macarthurii, E. smithii, E. dunnii, E. grandis x E. camaldulensis and E. grandis x E. urophylla); and • the testing of new approaches related to the management of coppice (early coppice reduction, chemical control of “feathering”, weed control and fertilisation).

All the trials within this project have been designed ensure that any recommendations forthcoming may be of direct and immediate benefit to the forest industry. Also included within this project are issues related to the preservation or killing of eucalypt stumps following harvesting depending on whether the site is to be coppiced or re-planted.

The minimum number of surviving stumps is seen as critical in deciding whether to coppice or replant. This is one of the issues currently being addressed within the Coppice Management project.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 41 Highlights & Progress 2004 • A trial was initiated on a eucalypt stand in 2002 to test the impacts of various combinations of mechanical methods of felling, cross-cutting, debarking and stacking on coppice regrowth. Intensive assessments up to the final reduction operation have been completed and will allow for impacts of felling operations on coppicing to be better understood. • Two trials testing new approaches related to the management of coppice (early coppice reduction, chemical control of “feathering”, weed control and fertilisation) reached completion (felled in 2003). Early recommendations based on initial results have been confirmed.

WATTLE REGENERATION

Past research dealing with Acacia mearnsii re-establishment techniques, stocking, thinning regimes and various silvicultural practices has generated practical recommendations that have been used by the forest industry. More recently, and as understanding of silvicultural practices has increased, these recommendations have either been modified, or are in the need of modification. For example, complete weed control is no longer recommended, nor do we advocate similar weeding regimes across all geographic regions. In addition, as part of a recent review of past WRI and ICFR weeding experiments, little information could be found regarding the long-term benefits (at felling) of establishment weed control in wattle stands, despite the large number of weed control trials conducted in the past.

Although initial weed control has been shown to have positive benefits, the significant growth differences between good and poor weed control have seldom been maintained through to felling. This could be due to the selective removal of suppressed trees during reduction/thinning operations. If competition from weeds is not severe, then enough stems will remain after the reduction operations to allow for the adequate stocking of similarly sized trees. The severity of weed competition can be reduced either temporally or spatially. Whereas the timing of weed control operations is critical, it is more difficult to control than the area that needs to be kept free of competing vegetation. A higher initial stem density (within reason) will mean that crown closure will occur sooner in the tree row, thus negating the need for extended weeding operations. One trial has been implemented to test combinations of these different scenarios, particularly with respect to reducing re- establishment costs for the production of wood volume (rather than bark) for the different re-establishment techniques.

Page 42 Annual Research Review 2004 PINE AND EUCALYPT REGENERATION RESEARCH (ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL REGENERATION RESEARCH PROJECT)

This project is made up of two components, pine and eucalypt regeneration research. The fundamental concepts driving poor establishment in both hardwoods and softwood species are likely to be similar. However, specific differences in physiology, silvicultural management, deployment and importance from region to region require that they be separated in research. Obviously there will be overlap in silvicultural issues pertaining to both, and where possible, research will be structured so as to minimise repetition.

In general the regeneration research of both The implementation of a trial in Mpumalanga to understand the role water plays in early P. patula the pines and eucalypts will be structured survival and growth. around the determining the importance of the following factors in optimising survival, growth and uniformity: • Plant physiological factors and planting stock quality issues; • Silviculture practiced at planting; • Climate and site quality; • Interaction between climate, site, silviculture and planting stock quality; and • Pests and diseases.

Understanding and consolidating previous, local and international research on regeneration is an important aspect of future work on any local species/hybrid. This will provide the necessary background to firstly, qualify research issues that have been adequately dealt with in the past and secondly, to help identify and draw up logical and comprehensive strategies to answer issues that are still outstanding. Key questions associated with outstanding issues will be addressed sequentially by trial implementation.

Highlights & Progress 2004 • The acquisition and collation of data from past and current ICFR pine re-establishment trials (±30 trials). This will be used to increase our understanding of trends in pine regeneration across the summer rainfall region. • The successful consolidation of data collected from equipment used in two P. patula pilot trials has enabled us to measure microclimatic variables in subsequent trials with confidence. • The consolidation of results (to canopy closure) from three eucalypt trials testing re-establishment methods (combinations of hydrogel, fertiliser and water). The consistency of results across the different trials (species

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 43 and site) will allow for recommendations to be made with confidence. • The formalisation and implementation of two of the five proposed trials to address differences between planting densities and final stocking as a result of site and silviculture.

CORE RESEARCH

The main focus of this project is on strengthening the re-establishment research platform such that relevant and applicable research is produced on a sustained basis. Outputs are geared towards improving researcher competence (scientific ability and understanding) as well as research methodology and techniques.

Within this project, there are two main objectives: • to increase our understanding of the key ecological and physiological process that drive tree growth; and • to increase our understanding of the interaction between silvicultural practices and tree growth, thus ensuring long-term sustainability (over a number of rotations) from an applied silvicultural The measuring of pit volume to increase our perspective (Plantation Forestry Sustainability understanding of pit dimensions. Initiative).

Highlights & Progress 2004 • Successful re-implementation of three out of four second rotation trials that form part of the Plantation Forestry Sustainability Initiative. • Completion of an applied tree physiology course by Carol Rolando. • Acquisition and successful use of a porometer in a pot trial designed to understand water stress in pines and eucalypts.

PINE FUSARIUM WORKING GROUP

Established in 2000 by nursery managers, researchers and growers linked to the South African Forestry Industry, the Pine Fusarium Working Group (PFWG) was set up to investigate the incidence and control of Fusarium circinatum in pines. It rapidly became apparent that the group needed to be co-ordinated and administered by a relevant yet neutral body or organisation. The ICFR was

Page 44 Annual Research Review 2004 subsequently nominated to co-ordinate the working group, which serves to inform and update Industry on F. circinatum whilst simultaneously attempting to understand and control the spread of the disease. Although employed by the ICFR, the working group co- ordinator (Paul Viero) acts independently as Chairman of the group. The role of the ICFR as a silvicultural research organisation within the PFWG has become an increasingly important one, especially as F. circinatum, initially perceived as an exclusively nursery pathogen, has moved into the field with the potential of becoming a serious pathogen during pine establishment.

As the umbrella organisation for the PFWG, the ICFR will aim: • to pool all relevant information regarding Fusarium spp. with a particular focus on F. circinatum and to distribute Two recently planted P. patula seedlings. it to as wide an audience possible, and The one on the right healthy, the one on the • to develop practical guidelines and methods to assist left showing symptoms of F. circinatum both nursery managers and silviculturalists in successful infection. long-term establishment of P. patula.

Project Highlights 2004 • Successful implementation and continued maintenance of the Pine Fusarium website by the ICFR. • Section 19 of the Nursery Certification document (specific to the management of F. circinatum within nurseries) is completed and ready for implementation during 2005. • Protocol for gathering field data to quantify the spread of F. circinatum has been established and will be implemented for the current growing season only. • A successful “road show” was held in three provinces with respect to setting January 2005 as the implementation date for nursery certification.

OUTPUTS

Reports and Papers Little K M. 2004. Final results from a Eucalyptus dunnii coppice trial. ICFR Bulletin Series 02/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Little K M. 2004. Post-establishment vegetation control in a Eucalyptus grandis stand situated in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa. ICFR Bulletin Series 03/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Little K M and van Staden, J. 2003. Interspecific competition affects

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 45 early growth of a Eucalyptus grandis x E. camaldulensis hybrid clone in Zululand, South Africa. South African Journal of Botany 69: 505-513. Little K, Upfold S J, Bezuidenhoudt S and Lotter W. 2004. Field guide booklets: 1. Aquatic/environmental invasive weeds; 2. Agricultural weeds; 3. Sugarcane, vegetables and forestry weeds for post-congress technical tours, 4th International Weeds Science Congress, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 24th June. Little K M, van Staden J and Clarke G P Y. 2003. The relationship between vegetation management and the wood and pulping properties of a Eucalyptus hybrid clone. Annals of Forest Science 60: 673-680. Little K M, Willoughby I, Wagner R G, Adams P, Frochot H, Gava J, Gous S, Lautenschlager R A, Örlander G, Sankaran K V and Wei R P. 2004. Towards reduced herbicide use in forest vegetation management. Invited paper. 4th International Weeds Science Congress, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, June. (Paper submitted to Forestry for potential publication in special edition). Michael J L, Dumas Y, Gous S F, Hytonen J, Little K M, Nillson U, Spadotto C A, Thompson D G, Willoughby I and Yaacoby T. 2004. Globally-used forestry herbicides and their impacts on soil and water resources. Invited paper. 4th International Weeds Science Congress, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 24th June. (Paper submitted to Forestry for potential publication in special edition). Rolando C A and Allen R A. 2004. Survival and growth of Pinus patula at two years in response to harvest residue and pest management, in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Southern African Forestry Journal 200: 19-26. Rolando C A and Little K M. 2004. Competition for nutrients during pine re-establishment in the summer rainfall regions of South Africa: Results from four trials. ICFR Bulletin Series 04/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Rolando C A and Little K M. 2004. Does competition for nutrients limit growth of pine trees in the summer rainfall region of South Africa? Poster. 4th International Weeds Science Congress, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 24th June. Rolando C A and Little K M. 2004. Early survival and growth responses of Pinus patula seedlings to planting treatments and micro-environment in two pilot trials. ICFR Bulletin Series 06/ 2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Rolando C A and Little K M. 2004. The interaction between site preparation and vegetation control on the re-establishment of Pinus patula in South Africa. Poster. 4th International Weeds Science Congress, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 24th June. van den Berg G J and Little K M. 2004. Effect of rainfall and under- canopy vegetation on the ability to debark Eucalyptus grandis x E. camaldulensis when felled in Zululand, South Africa. Southern African Forestry Journal 200: 71-76. Viero P. 2004. Eucalypt establishment and re-establishment research conducted by the ICFR. ICFR Bulletin Series 09/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. (in review).

Page 46 Annual Research Review 2004 Viero P and Little K M. 2004. Eucalypt re-establishment practices: Results from three trials. ICFR Bulletin Series 18/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. (in review). Wagner R G, Little K M, Richardson B and McNabb K. 2004. The Role of Vegetation Management for Enhancing Productivity of the World’s Forests. Invited paper. 4th International Weeds Science Congress, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 24th June. (Paper submitted to Forestry for potential publication in special edition).

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 47 Forest Nutrition The Team Programme Manager: Ben du Toit Janine Campion Steven Dovey Anthony Job Chané Nel Bheki Ndawonde Assisted by: Denis Oscroft Luke Esprey Greg Fuller Colin Chiappero Robert Nkonde Patrick Thabethe Musa Mkhwanazi

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Optimising nutrient supply to plantation stands can potentially increase plantation productivity and fibre yield substantially. This can be achieved through manipulating the processes liberating nutrients, and through direct application of fertiliser supplements. Due to the complex nature of ecological processes in forests, it is critical to understand the interrelationships that exist between stand nutrition, other processes that may constrain stand growth (e.g. soil water), and various risk factors (e.g. fire or pests). The Forest Nutrition programme aims to increase the understanding of these relationships, upon which applied management- and fertiliser recommendations can then be based. These recommendations are robust, simple to apply and include relevant estimated yield or fibre gains.

All operations affecting plantation system nutrient dynamics can impact on the productive potential of the land. The impact of management operations on nutrient fluxes and on ecosystem resilience therefore needs to be thoroughly assessed during decision-making; operational gains need to be weighed against ecological impacts and potential risks. The research outputs from this Programme seek to supply managers at operational and strategic levels with the necessary information to make informed decisions regarding sustainable forest management.

Page 48 Annual Research Review 2004 Programme Objectives • Understand the effect of site management operations on nutrient dynamics; • Understand the stand response to changes in levels of resource availability; • Quantify increases in yield and fibre gain when implementing optimum fertiliser and silvicultural practices; • Work towards silvicultural practices that lower the risks (specifically those associated with fire, pests and diseases); • Quantify the ecological resilience of the forest system as a function of management impacts; and • Formulate (and update) applied silvicultural and fertiliser recommendations that maximise productivity on a site-specific basis, while ensuring that the productive potential of the site is maintained or enhanced over time.

SITE MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINED PRODUCTIVITY

Goal: To understand and quantify the effect of silvicultural management operations on nutrient dynamics, and its implications for sustainable plantation productivity.

All site management activities affect the nutrient dynamics within plantation forest systems, therefore directly impacting on (i) the productivity of the current tree crop, and (ii) long-term sustainability. This project focuses on the development of systems to understand and quantify nutrient pools and fluxes in forest ecosystems.

Project Objectives • Assess the nutritional resilience (“buffer capacity”) of major site types under tree crops, given current management practices and environmental conditions; • Assess the sensitivity of site types to changes in management practices or environmental factors (e.g. effect of introducing slash burning or firewood harvesting by local people; effect of increased nitrogen (N) deposition); • Establish a single, simple yet robust index to assist in the practical management of risks associated with nutritional sustainability; • Quantify and model the effects of intensive site management operations on the rate of nutrient mineralisation and nutrient availability; • Link the rate of nutrient availability with stand nutrient accretion and stand productivity; and • Understand the response mechanisms of tree stands to changes in resource availability and use this in the formulation of (a) hypotheses to test in future trial groups, and (b) applied recommendations.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 49 Nutritional sustainability The index of nutritional sustainability developed from a case study at the Karkloof Project (du Toit and Scholes, 2002), is an objective indicator of the “degree of nutritional stability” of current silvicultural regimes. During the past year, we have begun gathering the necessary data to apply this index to 40 representative soil types across the summer rainfall area of South Africa. All nutrient inputs and outputs from each of these forest ecosystems have to be estimated in order to calculate the net nutrient flux through the system. This net flux is then contrasted to the size of readily available and long-term potentially available nutrient pools. Our aim with this index is to minimise the use of high-impact silvicultural Biosolid application in eucalyptus plantations (São regimes (e.g. where nutrients outputs far exceed Paulo State, Brazil) has been shown to greatly inputs) on sensitive sensitive sites (e.g. sites with improve soil fertility and timber yield. small nutrient pools). The requirements to use this index on a wider scale are input-output budgets for nutrients, knowledge of the major soil types, and analysis of their short- and long-term nutrient supply capacities.

Highlights & Progress 2004 • Estimation of total nutrient input for our 40 systems focussed attention on the factors contributing large inputs into the sytems (i.e. atmospheric deposition and fertilisation) • The major outputs of nutrients from our systems are strongly management-dependent, e.g. the intensity of a slash fire is directly proportional to nutrients lost during burning. We have used estimates of nutrient loss from low intensity fires, since these are more realistic and in line with current management guidelines. Nutrient loss from sites by erosion and leaching was estimated with acceptable accuracy from catchment water data. • Data on nutrient removal associated with harvesting various components of the biomass (wood, bark, branches or stem tops) were obtained from several local studies. The information has been summarised for management use (Dovey, 2004). • Forty dominant soil types within major geological groups were intensively sampled and analysed to obtain estimates of readily available and potentially available (long-term) nutrient pool sizes in the top and subsoil. We also sampled the nutrient pool in the forest floor where this information could not be estimated. • The progress made during the past year with this work will enable us to calculate the indices of nutritional sustainability across all 40 sites during 2005.

Page 50 Annual Research Review 2004 Nutrient dynamics Site management operations (e.g. burning, slash management, harvesting operations and thinning) can impact on the rate of nutrient mineralisation and subsequent nutrient availability to tree crops. This understanding of nutrient dynamics, coupled to quantitative information on the response to fertilisation across major site types, is needed for optimum stand nutrient management. The aim of this sub-project is to facilitate the formulation of an integrated set of recommendations for site nutrient management (e.g. fertilisation, slash management by fertiliser interactions, harvesting x fertiliser interactions, etc.). Several of the process- based measurements regarding nutrient fluxes have been monitored at the Karkloof Project, while conventional fertiliser trials on hardwoods and softwoods are dealt with under the relevant sections later in this report.

The carbon fluxes and major nutrient fluxes in the biogeochemical cycle have been measured over four years across five site management treatments in the Karkloof experiment. Examples of field measurements over the last four years include nutrient accretion by growing biomass, carbon and nutrient partitioning into various tissues, litter fall, root turnover, slash decomposition, N mineralisation and phosphorus (P) availability.

Highlights & Progress 2004 During 2004, we have specifically focussed on documenting the following: • The effects of silvicultural operations on short-term changes in the soil (e.g. variable charge), as well as short- term changes in the readily available soil nutrient pools; • The uptake of nutrients by the tree crop following changes to the readily available nutrient pools; and • The physiological response mechanism of the stand (canopy quantum efficiency, carbon allocation, leaf area development and light interception). • We have drafted a paper on the effects of site management on biomass partitioning and canopy quantum efficiency, enabling formulation of a new hypotheses regarding the response to post- establishment fertilisation in short-rotation hardwood stands. This will now be tested and could have a major impact on the proposed experimentation in this field of study.

HARDWOOD NUTRITION

Goal: Optimum nutrient management of hardwoods for maximum fibre yield.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 51 Optimising nutrient supply to tree crops through intensive site management and fertilisation can substantially increase stand- and fibre yield. To realise maximum return on money invested, the factors that govern responses to added fertilisers (such as inherent site fertility, available soil water, management operations, stand age and balance between individual elements) need to be understood and incorporated into fertiliser recommendations. To this end, fertiliser process trials have been implemented to monitor the mechanisms of response to increased nutrient availability. Greg Fuller displays one of a batch of wood disks collected from Trial C.2, sampled to determine the effect These trials are sited on dominant soil types of early fertiliser application on wattle wood density with appropriate species, and are conducted in newly planted as well as established stands. The effect of fertilisation can manifest in increases in growth as well as changes in wood properties, such as density and fibre yield. These responses are being quantified to assist plantation and area managers in making informed decisions on fertiliser use.

Project Objectives • To formulate simple, site-specific recommendations for management and fertiliser regimes for optimum fibre yield; and • To quantify the timber volume, timber mass and fibre yield expected from the implementation of such recommendations across sites tested.

Highlights & Progress 2004 • Allometric relationships have been developed for stands of Acacia mearnsii (Dovey et al., 2003) enabling us to calculate nutrient removal associated with the harvesting of various parts of the biomass. • A long-term wattle fertiliser trial (Bloemendal experimental farm) has been re-established for the 6th rotation after taking intensive soil-based measurements that be used to assess system sustainability. This trial is one of a few in the world where the effect of manipulating stand nutrition (in this case through fertilisation) has been monitored over a number of successive rotations. • The Precision Forestry Workshop (jointly organised with the University of Stellenbosch and ICFR) was used as a forum to present methodologies for making existing fertiliser recommendations for hardwoods increasingly site-specific. This approach has the potential to reduce costs associated with fertilisation, as well as optimise gain from the applied fertiliser, and will be pursued further in 2005.

Page 52 Annual Research Review 2004 SOFTWOOD NUTRITION

Goal: To maximise commercial softwood plantation productivity in a sustainable and site-specific manner.

An optimum supply of nutrients has been shown to improve growth in several plantation forests worldwide. This can be achieved through an integrated approach of silvicultural management and fertilisation. To realise maximum return on money invested, the factors that govern responses to added fertilisers (such as inherent site fertility, available soil water, management operations, stand age and balance between individual elements) need to be understood and incorporated into fertiliser recommendations. To achieve this, fertiliser trials are in place to test the response to fertilising newly planted as well as established stands (in both thinned and unthinned crops). Trials are conducted with the major softwood species across dominant site ICFR’s Patrick Tabethe standing among 4.5 yr old types. Pinus elliottii at the one of the nutrient optimisation trials. The management of slash in pine plantations has implications for nutrient cycling, stand regeneration and survival, as well as fire risk. The use of fire or other slash management practices as tools to reduce fuel loads, or speed up nutrient cycling, is currently being investigated. The first step in this process is the accurate quantification of slash loads (both as a fuel and in terms of the nutrient pools contained therein). Subsequent work is planned to quantify the effect of varying intensities of fire on nutrient dynamics and nutrient losses in the plantation system.

Project Objectives • To formulate simple, site-specific fertiliser recommendations for optimum timber yield; and • To provide information, tools and guidelines for the management of slash and fuel loads on a case-specific basis, that would minimise risk without compromising the principles of sustainable forest management.

Highlights & Progress 2004 The development of reliable fuel models for Pinus patula in the summer rainfall area forms the basis for fuel behaviour modelling providing an understanding of nutrient capital contained in slash. This was done in partnership with Timothy Ross (M.Sc. candidate from the University of Stellenbosch).

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 53 During 2004, we have: • Quantified forest floor fuel loading under mature stands of P. patula; • Characterised fuel loads in the harvesting residue after clear felling of mature stands of P. patula; • Published fuel models for pulp and sawtimber scenarios for both fuel types mentioned above; and • Quantified the nutrient pools that are locked up in the forest floor and slash across a wide range of sites in the planted range of P. patula.

With respect to fertiliser trials, we have achieved the following: • The nutrient optimisation trial at Driekop, Mpumalanga, has been re-fertilised and intensive monitoring is continuing. We have started plant area index measurements to understand the responses in the physiological sense; • We have collected final measurements from a group of five fertiliser trials testing the application of N, P and potassium (K) at establishment.

NUTRITIONAL SUSTAINABILITY (CORE RESEARCH)

Goal: To build the credibility and competence of the Forest Nutrition Team

Core funding for this programme addresses the need to maintain a nucleus of competence in forest nutrition and address issues of sustainability. The following sub-projects are in place: • Postgraduate studies or courses aimed at improving skills of research staff; • Pilot studies using new techniques or approaches; • Production of literature reviews and other papers that form the foundation for more applied research; and • Peer-review and publication processes to ensure research staff maintain a high level of scientific credibility.

Bark being prepared for weighing in fertilizer trial C.2, Bloemendal. Project Objectives • To grow the research skills of key staff members; • To test new ideas and approaches; and • To maintain scientific credibility

Highlights & Progress 2004 • Together with Luke Esprey of the Forest Productivity programme, the group have developed methodologies to assign a fertility rating and provide initiation data for the testing and calibration of the process-based model

Page 54 Annual Research Review 2004 3-PG. These methods have been published as ICFR Innovations. • Steven Dovey has completed his dissertation for an M.Sc. degree.

REFERENCES

Dovey S B. 2004. Simple ratios to estimate bark and branch biomass and nutrient contents of industrial plantations. ICFR Innovation 01/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Dovey S B, Smith C W and du Toit B. 2003. Allometric relationships in Acacia mearnsii across four ages and three sites. ICFR Bulletin Series 17/2003, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. du Toit B and Scholes M C. 2002. Nutritional sustainability of Eucalyptus plantations: A case study at Karkloof, South Africa. Southern African Forestry Journal 195: 63-72.

OUTPUTS

Reports and Papers Campion J M, Dye P J and Scholes M C. 2004. Modelling maximum canopy conductance and transpiration in Eucalyptus grandis stands not subjected to soil water deficits. Southern African Forestry Journal 202: 3-11. Campion J M, Esprey L J and Scholes M C. 2004. Application of the 3-PG model to a Eucalyptus grandis stand subjected to varying levels of water and nutritional constraints. Southern African Forestry Journal (in press). Campion J M, Nkosana M and Scholes M C. 2004. Biomass and nutrient pools in above- and below-ground components of an irrigated and fertilised Eucalyptus grandis stand. (Submitted to Australian Forestry Journal). Dovey S B. 2004. Simple ratios to estimate bark and branch biomass and nutrient contents of industrial plantations. ICFR Innovation 01/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Dovey S B and du Toit B. 2005. Calibration of LAI-2000 canopy analyser with leaf area index in a young eucalypt stand. (Submitted toTrees Structure and Function). Dovey S B and du Toit B. 2004. Nutrient distributions in black wattle at four ages on three sites with the effects of harvesting practices. ICFR Bulletin Series 07/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. du Toit B and Dovey S B. 2005. Effect of site management on leaf area, biomass development and stand growth efficiency of a young stand of Eucalyptus grandis in South Africa. (Accepted

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 55 for publication in Canadian Journal of Forestry Research). du Toit B and Esprey L J. 2004. A simple, pragmatic method to assign the fertility rating for 3-PG simulations in the summer rainfall regions of southern Africa. ICFR Innovation 02/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. du Toit B, Dovey S B, Fuller G F and Job R A. 2004. Effects of Harvesting and Site Management on Nutrient Pools and Stand Growth in a South African Eucalypt Plantation. In: Nambiar E K S, Ranger J, Tiarks A, and Toma T. (Eds). Site Management and Productivity in Tropical Plantation Forests: Proceedings of Workshops in Congo July 2001 and China February 2003. Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor, Indonesia. pp 31-43. Ross T I and du Toit B. 2004. Forest floor fuel loading under sawtimber and pulpwood stands of Pinus patula in South Africa. ICFR Bulletin Series 11/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Ross T I and du Toit B. 2004. Fuel load prediction and characterisation after clearfelling Pinus patula stands for the development of fuel models in South Africa. ICFR Bulletin Series 12/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Ross T I and du Toit B. 2004. Nutrient pools in P. patula slash loads across its planted range in SA. ICFR Bulletin Series 16/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Smith C W and du Toit B. 2005. The effect of harvesting operations, slash management and fertilisation on the growth of a Eucalyptus clonal hybrid on a sandy soil. (Accepted for publication in Southern African Forestry Journal). Smith C W, Little K M, Rolando C A and du Toit B. 2004. The Plantation Forestry Sustainability Initiative: A framework for monitoring and measuring the sustainability of intensively managed southern African forest plantations. ICFR Bulletin Series 15/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research.

Page 56 Annual Research Review 2004 Forest Productivity The Team Programme Manager: Colin Smith Robin Gardner Luke Esprey Trevor Morley Diana Rietz (Post-graduate researcher) Greg Fuller Alpheos Ntombela Shadron Naicker Blessing Mbentse Assisted by: Chris Komakech Denis Oscroft Musa Mkhwanazi Colin Chiappero Michael Buthelezi Peter Sands (CSIRO, Australia) Horst Kassier (Forestry Consultant)

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Understanding the factors that regulate forest productivity is integral to every level of forestry management planning. This necessitates developing guidelines regarding site requirements of the main commercial species, and alternative species to existing ones. Moreover, knowing the effects of site constraints on present and future tree growth can aid in understanding sustainability of intensively managed plantation forests. This programme seeks to provide information regarding the productivity of South African forest plantations, which will assist management planning in a number of ways: • Quantification of the effect of stand density/stocking on growth dynamics by conducting spacing trials; • Flexible growth and yield modelling using climatic indices as well as estimations of forest productivity from non-planted areas by investigating new technologies (e.g. process-based models and remote sensing); • Developing site-based empirical stand level models related to a site classification based on climate; • Appropriate site:species optimisation and identification of alternative eucalypt species for low productivity sites; and

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 57 • Evaluating the effects of intensive forest management, such as harvesting operations, on sustainable wood supply and long- term site productivity.

Research in four main project areas is currently being conducted: Growth Modelling and Yield Optimisation; Harvesting Impacts and Sustainability; and Site:Species Interaction Research. In addition, the ICFR also administers the database for the Modelling and Mensuration Research Consortium (MMRC).

GROWTH MODELLING AND YIELD OPTIMISATION

Growth modelling plays a central role in forest management planning in the prediction of future yields, standing volumes, harvesting scheduling, yield optimisation and sustainable utilisation of wood resources in forest plantations. Understanding the effects of stand density and stocking on growth is of fundamental importance to forest management and affects decisions throughout the growth cycle from initial spacing to optimum rotation length for a given final product. This is achieved by synthesising all aspects of growth and yield (G&Y) modelling research including spacing trials, permanent sample plot (PSP) analysis, database management and new technologies such as process based modelling and remote sensing. Developing stand level G&Y models in the context of the site classification will augment and complement the work of the MMRC by providing the The effect of stand density on growth is framework into which further G&Y studies can be cast. This both a function of species and site. work will also provide the forest industry and growers with generic parameter sets for a range of commercially important species using standard G&Y models. A feature of the project is the management of both ICFR and MMRC databases for growth modelling studies. The ICFR’s participation in the Innovation Fund project “A new decision support software tool for tree growers and water resource managers: harnessing physiological information to improve productivity and water use assessment of forest plantations”, has complemented the objectives of this project, allowing the development of the process-based model 3-PG and enabled comparison with existing approaches to growth modelling.

Highlights & Progress 2004 • Substantial progress was made towards predicting the growth and yield of E. grandis by using a simple process- based model (3-PG). A PhD thesis on this subject will be completed towards the end of 2004. • Two new spacing trials with Pinus patula and E. smithii were established. • A final report on the E. grandis spacing trial series was completed.

Page 58 Annual Research Review 2004 • A staged plan was outlined for the co-ordination of data sharing between companies via management of the MMRC database and for the potential expansion of the growth modelling project.

The following initiatives are planned for 2005: • Implementation of two spacing trials summer/autumn 2004/5 (E. smithii and P. patula); • Implementation of 2nd E. smithii spacing trial in the summer 2005/6; • Development of a plan for site species productivity (SSP) hardwood trials with respect to thinning and pulp/density sampling, and the future of SSP trials; • Conducting a silvicultural modelling workshop looking at opportunities, priorities and possibilities, involving the ICFR, MMRC, UKZN as well as ICFR Sponsors; • Management of the MMRC database and data preparation for modelling; • Compiling a generic list of G&Y models for research, non-expert users and farmers/foresters for a range of species; • Continue measurement programme for spacing and SSP trials; • Completion of the first stage of process-based modelling research and outline of a plan for further research.

SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT (HARVESTING IMPACTS)

A principle objective of the timber industry in South Africa is to ensure sustainable forest management and to quantify potential effects of forestry management on long- term site productivity. This project seeks to quantify long-term potential effects on both productivity and the growing environment, and to develop management guidelines to ensure sustainable forestry management over successive rotations. This will be achieved by the following: • Establish the effects of harvesting operations on long-term site productivity; Felling and extraction operations affect soil compaction • Research the cumulative effects of and the fate of harvest residues, both of which may forest management practices on long- influence tree growth in the next rotation. term site productivity; • Develop a strategy on sustainable management of forest plantations in South Africa, looking at issues, priorities and measurement protocols; and • Develop guidelines to assist in the implementation of sustainable forest management practices.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 59 At present there are currently three trials planted to Eucalyptus and one pine trial. Two new harvesting impact trials with P. patula are planned for 2005. In order to fulfil the objectives of the project the ICFR collaborates with the Univeristy of KwaZulu-Natal, PE Technikon and the South African Sugar Research Institute (SASRI) at Mt. Edgecombe.

Highlights & Progress 2004 • Felling, measurement and re-implementation of two harvesting impacts trials, K1 (Shafton) and K7 (Zululand) according to residue and compaction gradients. • Extensive carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) analyses and soil physical measurements were carried out on re-implemented trials. • Finalisation of the concepts and principles of the Plantation Forestry Sustainability Initiative (PFSI). • Publication of new research on the effect of harvesting operations, slash management and fertilisation on the growth of eucalypts.

In 2005, the following are planned: • Establish two new harvesting impact trials (residue x compaction gradient) in P. patula stands at Jessievale (Mpumalanga) and Sneezewood (Southern KZN); • Fell harvesting impact trial K2 at Highflats and finalise a report on the effect of mechanised harvesting operations on the long- term growth of E. grandis at clearfelling at two sites in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands; • Carry out intensive soil quality measurements on re-implemented trials (C, N, cations and soil physical properties) and relate these to biomass harvesting; • Carry out measurements on site and stand damage in selected pine sawtimber stands in the Mpumalanga region following thinning operations; • Continue collaboration with SASRI/UKZN on modelling soil compaction under various vehicles and on a range of soil types; • Host a workshop to develop measurement protocols for studies on sustainable forest management (Appendix in PFSI document on Sustainable Forest Management).

SITE SPECIES INTERACTION

Over the years, the prime objective of this project has been to identify potential alternative eucalypt species for low productivity sites in South Africa. Species identified as having potential would then be referred to the ICFR and sponsor company tree improvement programmes for genetic improvement, the ultimate goals being commercial outplantings of the species using improved seed, or inclusion of the improved material into hybrid breeding

Page 60 Annual Research Review 2004 programmes. In this respect, the project has been highly successful, with a small range of viable alternative temperate species such as E. dunnii, E. badjensis and E. benthamii, and subtropical species such as E. longirostrata and E. henryi currently receiving attention in local breeding programmes. The priorities in the project are under transition however, with the emphasis no longer on looking for “new” species, but rather on consolidating existing knowledge on the site requirements, strengths and limitations of new species already identified as having good potential. The establishment of new trials will, however, take place One o fthe first decisions of forest on a limited scale according to specific requests, whilst management is to select a species that is existing trials will continue to be maintained and most suited to a particular environment. measured, accompanied by regular reports.

Highlights & Progress 2004 • Completion of three year measurements and basic analyses of growth data of mid-altitude trial series (SGE41 to SGE44); • Completion of eight year measurements of site-species interaction trials in northern coastal Zululand (SGE35 to SGE38).

During the next year, a number of initiatives are planned: • Trial establishment follow-up work in Northern Timbers eucalypt species trials, with 12-month height measurements in November. • Measure, analyse and report on four year measurement of mid- altitude trial series (SGE41 to SGE44 in February). • A nine year measurement of northern, coastal Zululand series (SGE35 to SGE38), and in addition, plans for final measurements and pulping property tests in these trials in 2006. • A paper entitled “Fibre productivity potential of promising new eucalypt species for coastal Zululand, South Africa” will be presented to the ICFR Zululand Regional Interest Group.

CORE RESEARCH

Core funding facilitates staff engaging in a range of activities of value to the research process including: • Developing core competence on research into sustainable management of intensively managed plantation forests; • Strategic thinking; • Peer review process; • Post-graduate supervision; • Interaction with overseas scientists via visits to South Africa; Core funding facilitates learning • Ad hoc presentations to sponsors and sponsors’ guests; techniques to monitor sustainable • Planning of workshops, symposia etc; forestry management practices.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 61 • Writing of papers from previously reported work; • Provide on-hand expertise for sponsors.

The main aim during 2005 will be to consolidate the progress made so far on the Forestry Site Classification. It is envisaged that a series of papers will be published outlining the development and uses of the classification.

MENSURATION AND MODELLING RESEARCH CONSORTIUM (MMRC)

The Mensuration and Modelling Research Consortium (MMRC) project is an initiative by the South African forestry industry, resulting from an agreement between the major timber grower organisations to share information on the growth of the major commercial tree species across the summer rainfall areas of South Africa. The aims of the Consortium are to pool all PSPs and spacing trials in a centralised mensuration database, to share mensuration research resources, and to co-ordinate mensuration and modelling research. The project is currently administered by the ICFR on behalf of the MMRC. Sharing tree growth data across all land holdings allows for the development of more robust growth models for a range of species andi sites.

Highlights & Progress 2004 • Development and testing of a centralised database for growth and yield data. This database is being implemented and the population with existing datasets is scheduled for year-end 2004. Copies will be available from the end of January 2005. • Maintaining a network of PSPs for the main commercial forestry species of interest. • Data from 553 P. elliottii permanent sample plots were used in growth and yield modelling exercises undertaken during August 2004. About 1300 PSPs are currently in the ground representing about 70% of the total PSPs to be implemented. • Further development of the PSP network and allocation of PSPs among the MMRC member companies is ongoing. • A P. elliottii growth and yield modelling workshop was held in August 2004 under the guidance of Professor Barry Shiver, Director: Plantation Management Research Cooperative (PMRC), and Professor Leon Pienaar, both of the University of Georgia.

Page 62 Annual Research Review 2004 The possible integration of the MMRC into the ICFR was discussed at the Steering Committee held earlier in the year. In light of this the MMRC Technical team and the ICFR drew up a tentative strategic research plan to address growth and yield research in the future. A list of actions was also drawn up on how to accomplish both the co-ordination of data sharing between companies via management of the MMRC database, and the possible expansion of the growth modelling project at the ICFR. It was agreed that a workshop involving the wider ICFR sponsor base would be held in early 2005 to find a common industry vision for G&Y capabilities in the future including user expectations and priorities. Once this has been achieved, a way forward can be proposed.

OUTPUTS

Reports and papers Campion J M, Esprey L J and Scholes M A. 2004. Application of the 3-PG model to a Eucalyptus grandis stand subjected to varying levels of water and nutritional constraints. Southern African Forestry Journal (submitted for publication). Esprey L J and Sands P J. 2004. Parameterisation of 3-PG for Eucalyptus grandis plantations in the summer rainfall regions of South Africa. ICFR Bulletin Series 05/2004. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Esprey L J, Sands P J and Smith C W. 2004. Understanding 3-PG using a sensitivity analysis. Forest Ecology and Management 193: 235-250. Gardner R A W, Little K M and Arbuthnot A. 2005. Fibre productivity potential of promising new eucalypt species for coastal Zululand, South Africa. Australian Journal of Forestry (submitted for publication). Gardner R A W, Little K M and Arbuthnot A. 2005. Growth and fibre yield statistics for five new eucalypt species in coastal Zululand. Forest Ecology and Management (submitted for publication). Gardner R A W. 2004. Selection of Eucalyptus species and provenances for hot, dry conditions in northern, coastal Zululand, South Africa. In: Borralho N M G, Pereira J S, Marques C, Coutinho J, Madeira M and Tomé M, (Eds), Proceedings of the IUFRO Conference, Aveiro, Portugal, “Eucalyptus in a changing world”, 11th-15th October, p 168-170. Ghebremicael S, Smith C W and Ahmed F. 2004. Estimating the leaf area index (LAI) of Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) from Landsat 7 Satellite imagery. Southern African Forestry Journal 196: 1–14. Job A, du Toit B and Esprey L J. 2004. Estimating selected input parameters for 3-PG from an age series of Eucalyptus grandis. ICFR Bulletin Series 15/2003. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 63 Rietz D N and Smith C W. 2004. A preliminary study of aboveground allometric relationships of Eucalyptus nitens (Deane & Maiden) plantations in South Africa. ICFR Bulletin Series 14/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Smith C W. 2004. Report on a visit to Brazil and Ecuador including: Report to the Innovation Fund: Application of process-based models at Aracruz Celulose, S.A. ICFR Bulletin Series 10/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Smith C W and du Toit B. 2005. The effect of harvesting operations, slash management and fertilisation on the growth of a Eucalyptus clonal hybrid on a sandy soil. Southern African Journal of Forestry (in press). Smith C W, Kassier H and Cunningham L. 2004. The effect of stand density on the growth and yield of E. grandis for six site types including growth and yield models. ICFR Bulletin Series 17/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (in review) Smith C W, Little K M, Rolando C A and du Toit B. 2004. The Plantation Forestry Sustainability Initiative: A framework for monitoring and measuring the sustainability of intensively managed Southern African forest plantations. ICFR Bulletin Series 15/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (in review). Smith C W, Pallett R N, Kunz R P and Gardner R A W. 2004. A forestry site classification for the summer rainfall region of southern Africa based on climate, geology and soils. ICFR Bulletin Series 19/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (in review). Swain T-L and Gardner R A W, 2004. Cold tolerant eucalypts in South Africa - growth information for informed site-species matching in SA. Southern African Forestry Journal 200: 71-75.

Page 64 Annual Research Review 2004 Outputs ICFR Reports Beck S L 2004. Meristem Culture of Acacia mearnsii (black nitens (Deane & Maiden) plantations in South Africa. wattle). ICFR Report, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for ICFR Bulletin Series 14/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Commercial Forestry Research. Institute for Commercial Forestry Research.

Beck S L. 2004. Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) sterility Rolando C A and Little K M. 2004. Competition for nutrients research status report. ICFR Bulletin Series 08/2004, during pine re-establishment in the summer rainfall Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry regions of South Africa: Results from four trials. ICFR Research. Bulletin Series 04/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Dovey S B. 2004. Simple ratios to estimate bark and branch biomass as well as nutrient removal. ICFR Innovation Rolando C A and Little K M. 2004. Early survival and **/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial growth responses of Pinus patula seedlings to planting Forestry Research. treatments and micro-environment in two pilot trials. ICFR Bulletin Series 06/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Dovey S B and du Toit B. 2004. Nutrient distributions in Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. black wattle at four ages on three sites with the effects of harvesting practices. ICFR Bulletin Series 07/2004, Ross T I and du Toit B. 2004. Forest floor fuel loading Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry under sawtimber and pulpwood stands of Pinus patula Research. in South Africa. ICFR Bulletin Series 11/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry du Toit B and Esprey L J. 2004. A simple, pragmatic method Research. to assign the fertility rating for 3-PG simulations in the summer rainfall regions of southern Africa. ICFR Ross T I and du Toit B. 2004. Fuel load prediction and Innovation **/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for characterisation after clearfelling Pinus patula stands Commercial Forestry Research. for the development of fuel models in South Africa. ICFR Bulletin Series 12/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Dunlop R W. 2004. Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Production Seed Orchard Management Document. ICFR Report, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Ross T I and du Toit B. 2004. Nutrient pools in P. patula Commercial Forestry Research. slash loads across its planted range in SA. ICFR Bulletin Series 16/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Dunlop R W. 2004. Rehabilitation of the Piet Retief Commercial Forestry Research. Municipality site of the ICFR Acacia species trial. ICFR Report, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Smith C W. 2004. Report on a visit to Brazil and Ecuador Forestry Research. including: Report to the Innovation Fund: Application of process-based models at Aracruz Celulose, S.A. Esprey L J and Sands P J. 2004. Parameterisation of 3-PG ICFR Bulletin Series 10/2004, Pietermaritzburg, for Eucalyptus grandis plantations in the summer Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. rainfall regions of South Africa. ICFR Bulletin Series 05/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Smith C W, Kassier H and Cunningham L. 2004. The effect Forestry Research. of stand density on the growth and yield of E. grandis for six site types including growth and yield models. Little K M. 2004. Final results from a Eucalyptus dunnii ICFR Bulletin Series 17/2004, Pietermaritzburg, coppice trial. ICFR Bulletin Series 02/2004, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. Smith C W, Little K M, Rolando C A and du Toit B. 2004. The Plantation Forestry Sustainability Initiative: A Little K M. 2004. Post-establishment vegetation control in framework for monitoring and measuring the a Eucalyptus grandis stand situated in the KwaZulu- sustainability of intensively managed southern African Natal Midlands, South Africa. ICFR Bulletin Series 03/ forest plantations ICFR Bulletin Series 15/2004. 2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry Forestry Research. Research (in review).

Rietz D N and Smith C W. 2004. A preliminary study of Smith C W, Pallett R N, Kunz R P and Gardner R A W. aboveground allometric relationships of Eucalyptus 2004. A forestry site classification for the summer rainfall region of southern Africa based on climate,

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 65 geology and soils. ICFR Bulletin Series 17/2004.= Dunlop R W, Barnes R A, Hagedorn S F and Nixon K M. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry 2004. A breeding strategy for Acacia mearnsii (black Research (in review). wattle) in South Africa. Southern African Forestry Journal 199: 55-64. Swain T-L. 2004 An advanced generation breeding strategy for E. dunnii. ICFR Report, Pietermaritzburg, Dunlop R W, Resende, M D V and Beck S L. 2004. Early Institute for Commercial Forestry Research. assessment of first year height data from five Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) sub-populations in South Africa Swain T-L and Jones W. 2004. Full rotation measurements using REML/BLUP. Silvae Genetica (in review). of E. badjensis trials in the summer rainfall region of South Africa. ICFR Bulletin Series 01/2004. Esprey L J, Sands P J and Smith C W. 2004. Understanding Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry 3-PG using a sensitivity analysis. Forest Ecology and Research. Management 193: 235-250.

Swain T-L, Chiappero C C and Komakech C. 2004. Early Gardner R A W and Bertling I. 2004. Effect of winter and mid-rotation results of 2nd generation E. nitens chilling and paclobutrazol on floral bud production in progeny trials. ICFR Bulletin Series 13/2004. Eucalyptus nitens. South African Journal of Botany Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial Forestry (accepted for publication). Research. Ghebremicael S, Smith C W and Ahmed F. 2004. Estimating Viero P. 2004. Eucalypt establishment and re-establishment the leaf area index (LAI) of Black Wattle (Acacia research conducted by the ICFR. ICFR Bulletin Series mearnsii) from Landsat 7 Satellite imagery. Southern 09/2004. Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial African Forestry Journal 196: 1–14. Forestry Research. Little K M and van Staden J. 2003. Interspecific competition Viero P and Little K M. 2004. Eucalypt re-establishment affects early growth of a Eucalyptus grandis x E. practices: Results from three trials. ICFR Bulletin Series camaldulensis hybrid clone in Zululand, South Africa. 18/2004, Pietermaritzburg, Institute for Commercial South African Journal of Botany 69: 505-513. Forestry Research. Little K M, van Staden J and Clarke G P Y. 2003. The relationship between vegetation management and the Papers in Peer-reviewed Journals wood and pulping properties of a Eucalyptus hybrid clone. Annals of Forest Science 60: 673-680. Papers published Beck S L, Dunlop R W and Fossey A. 2003. Colchicine Rolando C A and Allen R A. 2004. Survival and growth of induction of polyploid in Acacia mearnsii (De Wild). Pinus patula at two years in response to harvest Southern African Journal of Botany 69: 563-567. residue and pest management, in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Southern African Forestry Journal 200: 19-26. Beck S L, Visser G and Dunlop R W. 2004. A comparison of direct (flow cytometry) and indirect (stomatal length Smith C W and du Toit B. 2004. The effect of harvesting and chloroplast numbers within stoma) techniques as operations, slash management and fertilisation on the a measure of ploidy level in black wattle, Acacia growth of a Eucalyptus clonal hybrid on a sandy soil. mearnsii (De Wild). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Southern African Journal of Forestry (in press). Society (in review). Swain T-L and Gardner R A W. 2004. Cold Tolerant Campion J M, Dye P J and Scholes M C. 2004. Modelling Eucalypts in South Africa – growth information for maximum canopy conductance and transpiration in informed site-species matching in SA. Southern African Eucalyptus grandis stands not subjected to soil water Forestry Journal 202: 83-84. deficits. Southern African Forestry Journal 202: 3-11. van den Berg G J and Little K M. 2004. Effect of rainfall Dovey S B and du Toit B. 2004. Calibration of LAI-2000 and under-canopy vegetation on the ability to debark canopy analyser with leaf area index in a young Eucalyptus grandis x E. camaldulensis when felled in eucalypt stand. Trees Structure and Function Zululand, South Africa. Southern African Forestry (accepted for publication). Journal 200: 71-76. du Toit B and Dovey SB. 2004. Effect of site management Papers submitted on leaf area, biomass development and stand growth Campion J M, Esprey L J and Scholes M A. 2004. Application efficiency of a young stand of Eucalyptus grandis in of the 3-PG model to a Eucalyptus grandis stand South Africa. Canadian Journal of Forestry Research subjected to varying levels of water and nutritional (accepted for publication).

Page 66 Annual Research Review 2004 constraints. Southern African Forestry Journal forPinus patula in South Africa. MSc, University of (submitted for publication). Stellenbosch.

Campion J M, Nkosana M and Scholes M C. 2004. Biomass Sewpersad Y. 2004. Development of Random Amplified and nutrient pools in above- and below-ground Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers linked to the black components of an irrigated and fertilised Eucalyptus wattle (Acacia mearnsii De Wild) disease complex grandis stand. Australian Forestry Journal (submitted gummosis. MSc, University of KwaZulu-Natal, for publication). Pietermaritzburg.

Gardner R A W, Little K M and Arbuthnot A. 2004. Fibre Thompson I M. 2004. Meristem Culture of Acacia mearnsii productivity potential of promising new eucalypt (black wattle). MSc, University of KwaZulu-Natal, species for coastal Zululand, South Africa. Australian Pietermaritzburg. Forestry Journal (submitted for publication). van den Berg G J. 2004. The impact of regeneration Gardner R A W, Little K M and Arbuthnot A. 2004. Growth methods, silviculture intensity and genetic and fibre yield statistics for five new eucalypt species improvement on the performance of E. nitens and E. in coastal Zululand. Forest Ecology and Management macarthurii. MSc, University of KwaZulu-Natal, (submitted for publication). Pietermaritzburg.

Smith C W and du Toit B. 2004. The effect of harvesting Doctoral degrees operations, slash management and fertilisation on the Campion J C. 2004. The influence of irrigation and growth of a Eucalyptus clonal hybrid on a sandy soil. fertilisation on the growth of Eucalyptus grandis. PhD, Southern African Forestry Journal (submitted for University of Witwatersrand. publication).

du Toit B. 2004. The effect of intensive site management on the nutrient dynamics and productivity of a Post-graduate Projects Eucalyptus grandis stand in South Africa. PhD, University of Witwatersrand. Masters degrees Dovey S B. 2004. Influence of age and site on above Esprey L J. 2004. Using a process-based model to predict ground carbon and nutrient distribution in South African growth and yield of E. grandis plantations in the summer Acacia mearnsii plantations. MSc, University of rainfall region of South Africa. PhD, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.

Dunlop R W. 2004. Non-destructive screening of pulp Rietz D. 2004. Assessing soil quality as a measure of yield of Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) in South Africa sustainable forest management practices. PhD, using NIR spectroscopy. MSc, University of KwaZulu- University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Natal, Pietermaritzburg.

Fuller G M. 2004. Above- and below-ground differences between Eucalyptus grandis cuttings and seedlings of Conference proceedings the same genetic source: results from a process based du Toit B, Dovey S B, Fuller G F and Job R A. 2004. Effects field trial situated in the Zululand costal belt, South of Harvesting and Site Management on Nutrient Pools Africa. MTech, PE Technikon. and Stand Growth in a South African Eucalypt Plantation. In: Nambiar E K S, Ranger J, Tiarks A, and Job A J. 2004. Estimating selected input parameters for Toma T. (Eds). Proceedings of Workshops in Congo 3-PG using above ground biomass data collected from July 2001 and China February 2003: Site Management an age series of Eucalyptus grandis in KwaZulu Natal, and Productivity in Tropical Plantation Forests. Center South Africa. MTech, PE Technikon. for International Forestry Research, Bogor, Indonesia. pp 31-43. Mathura S. 2004. Ploidy Identification of Acacia mearnsii (black wattle). MSc, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Dyer C and Wingfield M J. 2004. Challenges and Strategies Pietermaritzburg. facing Forest Research and Education for the 21st Century: A Case Study from South Africa. In: Naguran R. 2004. RAPD fingerprinting of Acacia mearnsii Proceedings of the International Symposium on Forest st (black wattle) full and half sib progenies. MSc, Research and Education for the 21 Century, IUFRO th University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Board Meeting, Seoul, Korea, 12 October.

Ross T. 2004. Slash load predictions and characterisation Gardner R A W. 2004. Floral induction investigations with for the development of a fuel model and photo series Eucalyptus nitens in South Africa. (Paper). In: Borralho

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 67 N M G, Pereira J S, Marques C, Coutinho J, Madeira M ICC, Durban, 24th June. (submitted to Forestry for and Tomé M. (Eds). Proceedings of IUFRO Working potential publication in special edition). Group 2.08.03, “Eucalyptus in a Changing World”, Aveiro, Portugal, 11th-15th October, p168-170. Workshops and Presentations Gardner R A W. 2004. Selection of Eucalyptus species and provenances for hot, dry conditions in northern, Beck S L. 2004. Sterility in Black Wattle - Progress. ICFR coastal Zululand, South Africa. In: Borralho N M G, Midlands Regional Interest Group Field Day, Worlds Pereira J S, Marques C, Coutinho J, Madeira M and View, 10th February. Tomé M. (Eds). Proceedings of IUFRO Working Group 2.08.03, “Eucalyptus in a Changing World”, Aveiro, Beck S L. 2004. Sterility in Black Wattle - Progress. ICFR Portugal, 11th-15th October, pXXXXXX. Central Regional Interest Group Field Day, Piet Retief, 25th February. Little K M, Willoughby I, Wagner R G, Adams P, Frochot H, Gava J, Gous S, Lautenschlager R A, Örlander G, Beck S L. 2004. Wattle Breeding at the ICFR. Presentation Sankaran K V and Wei R P. 2004. Towards reduced to Mondi East African Growers Group, ICFR, herbicide use in forest vegetation management. Pietermaritzburg, 28th May. (Paper), 4th International Weeds Science Congress (IWSC), ICC, Durban, 24th June. (submitted to Forestry Beck S L. 2004. Flowering in black wattle. Seed Orchard for potential publication in special edition). Research Working Group (SORWG). Sappi, Kwambonambi. 17th November. Little K, Upfold S, Bezuidenhoudt S and Lotter W. 2004. Three 1-day post-congress technical tours: 1. Aquatic/ Beck S L, Dunlop R W and Fossey A. 2004. Towards sterility environmental invasive weeds; 2. Agricultural weeds; in black wattle (Acacia mearnsii). 5th Plant Breeding 3. Sugarcane, vegetables and forestry weeds. (Field Symposium (SAPBA and SAPV), San Lameer. 16th-18th guide booklets), 4th International Weeds Science March. Congress (IWSC), ICC, Durban, 23rd June.

Beck S L, Dunlop R W and Fossey A. 2004. Towards sterility Michael J L, Dumas Y, Gous S F, Hytonen J, Little K M, in black wattle (Acacia mearnsii). 18th Congress of Nillson U, Spadotto C A, Thompson D G, Willoughby I the South African Genetics Society (SAGS) held jointly and Yaacoby T. 2004. Globally-used forestry herbicides with the South African Microbiology Society (SAMS), and their impacts on soil and water resources. (Paper). Stellenbosch. 5th-7th April . 4th International Weeds Science Congress (IWSC), ICC, Durban, 24th June. (submitted to Forestry for potential publication in special edition). Campion J and du Toit B. 2004. Response of Pinus patula to fertilisation at second thinning. ICFR Mpumalanga Regional Interest Group Field Day, Sabie, 13th October. Rolando C A and Little K M. 2004. Does competition for nutrients limit growth of pine trees in the summer rainfall region of South Africa? (Poster). 4th Dovey S B and du Toit B. 2004. Precision fertiliser International Weeds Science Congress (IWSC), ICC, recommendations using GIS. US-ICFR Workshop: Durban, 24th June. Preparing for Precision Forestry, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, 22nd-23rd June.

Rolando C A and Little K M. 2004. The interaction between site preparation and vegetation control on the re- Dovey S B, du Toit B and Smith C W. 2004. Biomass establishment of Pinus patula in South Africa. (Poster). harvesting and nutrient export in black wattle. ICFR 4th International Weeds Science Congress (IWSC), Central Regional Interest Group Field Day, Piet Retief, th ICC, Durban, 24th June. 16 November.

Swain T-L and Verryn S. 2004. Realised genetic gains and Dunlop R W. 2004. Developing a non-destructive screening heritabilities of Eucalyptus nitens in a South African tool for pulp yield in Acacia mearnsii (black wattle). Breeding Programme. (Poster). In: Borralho N M G, 5th Plant Breeding Symposium (SAPBA and SAPV), San th th Pereira J S, Marques C, Coutinho J, Madeira M and Lameer. 16 -18 March. Tomé M. (Eds). Proceedings of IUFRO Working Group 2.08.03 “Eucalyptus in a Changing World”, Aveiro, Dunlop R W, Barnes R A, Hagedorn S F and Nixon K M. Portugal, 11th-15th October. 2004. A breeding strategy for Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) in South Africa. 5th Plant Breeding Symposium Wagner R G, Little K M, Richardson B and McNabb K. (SAPBA and SAPV), San Lameer. Poster presentation. th th 2004. The Role of Vegetation Management for 16 -18 March. Enhancing Productivity of the World’s Forests. (Paper). 4th International Weeds Science Congress (IWSC), du Toit B. 2004. A green bottom line: Does it cost or does it pay? SAIF Symposium, Saasveld, George, 27th July.

Page 68 Annual Research Review 2004 du Toit B. 2004. Fertilisation of short-rotation hardwoods IUFRO Working Group 2.08.03 Conference, in the KZN Midlands. NCT Field Day, Ingwe estate, “Eucalyptus in a Changing World”, Aveiro, Portugal, KwaZulu-Natal, 12th October. 11th-15th October. du Toit B and Dovey S B. 2004. Response of a South Gardner R A W. 2004. Selection of Eucalyptus species African eucalypt plantation to changes in soil nutrients and provenances for hot, dry conditions in northern, and soil water levels brought about by early, intensive coastal Zululand, South Africa: Poster presented at silvicultural management operations. 6th CIFOR IUFRO Working Group 2.08.03 Conference, Workshop: Site Management and Productivity in “Eucalyptus in a Changing World”, Aveiro, Portugal, tropical plantation Forests, Piracicaba, Brazil, 22nd-26th 11th-15th October November. Gardner R A W. 2004. Three-year results of mid-altitude du Toit B, Campion J and Dovey S B. 2004. (How) can we Eucalyptus site-species interaction trials. ICFR Central improve precision in forest nutrient management? US- Regional Field Day, Piet Retief, 16th November. ICFR Workshop: Preparing for Precision Forestry, nd rd Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, 22 -23 June 2004. Kunz R P. 2004. Introduction and awareness of Toolbox. ICFR Mpumalanga Regional Interest Group Field Day, Dyer C. 2004. Overview of the ICFR. Presentation to Usutu, Swaziland, 4th May. Mondi, Kwambonambi, Zululand, 3rd August. Kunz R P. 2004. Introduction and awareness of Toolbox. Dyer C. 2004. Overview of the ICFR. Presentation to ICFR Zululand Regional Interest Group Field Day, Mondi, Pietermaritzburg, 19th August. Kwambonambi, 18th November.

Dyer C. 2004. Invitation to the International Union of Komakech C. 2004. Eucalyptus globulus subsp bicostata Forestry Research Organisations (IUFRO) to hold their provenance/progeny trial at Enon, Richmond. ICFR World Congress in South Africa in 2010. IUFRO Board Midlands Regional Interest Group Field Day, Enon, 9th Meeting, Seoul, Korea, 13th October. November.

Dyer C and Wingfield M J. 2004. Challenges and Strategies Little K. 2004. Final results from a E. dunnii coppice trial. facing Forest Research and Education for the 21st ICFR Midlands Regional Interest Group Field day, Century: A Case Study from South Africa. (Paper) Hilton/Linwood, 25th February. International Symposium on Forest Research and st Education for the 21 Century, IUFRO Board Meeting, Little, K. 2004. Harvesting and extraction impacts on th Seoul, Korea, 12 October. coppicing. ICFR Zululand Regional Interest Group Field day, Kwambonambi, 20th May. Gardner R A W. 2004. Update on the performance of new eucalypt species for Zululand. ICFR Zululand Regional Little K. 2004. The impacts of harvesting and extraction th Interest Group Field Day, 20 May. the coppicing of GU A380. Field talk to senior management of Sappi Forests at Sappi Research Gardner R A W. 2004. Eucalyptus Site–Species Interaction Review, Zululand, 8th June. research and Tree Improvement. Presentation to visiting East African researchers (hosted by Mondi), Little K. 2004. Post-establishment weed control in pines th ICFR, Pietermaritzburg, 28 May. and eucalypts. ICFR Mpumalanga Regional Interest Group Field, Sabie, 13th October. Gardner R A W. 2004. Eucalyptus Site-Species Interaction Research and Tree Improvement. Presentation to Little K. 2003. Final results of a Eucalyptus grandis x visiting Uruguayan researchers (hosted by Fractal camaldulensis coppice management trial. ICFR Zululand st Forestry), ICFR, Pietermaritzburg, 1 June. Regional Interest Group Field Day, Kwambonambi, 19th November. Gardner R A W. 2004. Current trends regarding Eucalyptus species for commercial use and nectar production. Little K M, Willoughby I, Wagner R G, Adams P, Frochot H, South African Bee Industry Organisation (SABIO) Gava J, Gous S, Lautenschlager R A, Örlander G, th Conference, Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal, 4 June. Sankaran K V and Wei R P. 2004. Reducing herbicide use through integrated forest vegetation management Gardner R A W. 2004. Floral induction in Eucalyptus nitens practices. Paper presented at the 4th International in South Africa. Presentation to Seed Orchard Working Weeds Science Congress (IWSC), ICC, Durban, 24th Group Meeting, Piet Retief, 22nd June. June.

Gardner R A W. 2004. Floral induction investigations with Eucalyptus nitens in South Africa: Paper presented at

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 69 Little K and Oscroft D. 2004. Coppice Management. Field Oscroft D and Swain T-L. 2004. Two year old results of talks given to SW Australian visitors from Timbercorp, the new species E. henryi and E. longirostrata on the Zululand, 15th-16th September. Zululand Coastal Plains. ICFR Zululand Regional Interest Group Field Day, Kwambonambi, 20th May. Little K and Oscroft D. 2004. Coppice Management and Site-species matching. Field talks given to Australian Rolando C A. 2004. Survival and growth of P. patula at 2 visitor, Zululand, 16th–23rd October. years in response to harvest residue and pest management. ICFR Mpumalanga Regional Interest th Little K and Rolando C. 2004. Forest vegetation Group Field, Usutu, Swaziland, 4 May. management in South Africa. Five-day field tour organised to look at vegetation management practices Rolando C A. 2004. Pine regeneration research at the in the Midlands, Zululand and Sabie for foreign ICFR. Progress and Results. ICFR Mpumalanga delegates attending the IWSC. 25th–29th June. Regional Interest Group Field, Sabie, Mpumalanga, 13th October. Michael J L, Dumas Y, Gous S F, Hytonen J, Little K M, Nillson U, Spadotto C A, Thompson D G, Willoughby I Rolando C A. 2004. Pine regeneration research at the and Yaacoby T. 2004. Globally-used forestry herbicides ICFR. Results from 2 pilot trials investigating the and their impacts on soil and water resources. (Paper effects of planting treatments and microenvironment presented by Jerry Michael), 4th International Weeds on survival and growth of P. patula. ICFR Midlands Science Congress (IWSC), ICC, Durban, 24th June. Regional Interest Group, Richmond, 9th November.

Morley T. 2004. Update of spacing recommendations for Rolando C A. 2004. Pine regeneration research at the cold tolerant Eucalypt species. NCT Field Day, ICFR. Results from 2 pilot trials investigating the Balgowan, KwaZulu-Natal, 12th October. effects of planting treatments and microenvironment on survival and growth of P. patula. ICFR Central th Morley T. 2004. Update of spacing recommendations for Regional Interest Group, Piet Retief, 16 November. cold tolerant Eucalypt species. NCT Field Day, Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, 19th October. Viero P. 2004. Protocols for the commercial monitoring of Fusarium circinatum. Pine Fusarium Working Group th Morley T. 2004. Update of spacing recommendations for (PFWG) meeting, FABI, University of Pretoria, 27 May. various Eucalyptus species. ICFR Midlands Regional Interest Group Field Day, Richmond, 9th November. Viero P. 2004. Overview of the PFWG with emphasis on nursery certification. Agricultural Research Council, th Morley T. 2004. Update of spacing recommendations for George, Southern Cape Region, 9 June. cold tolerant Eucalypt species. ICFR Central Regional Interest Group Field Day, Piet Retief, 16th November. Viero P. 2004. Pitch canker fungus, identification, morphology and control. Presentation on behalf of Morley T. 2004. Update of spacing recommendations for Glen Mitchell (Sappi Forests) at Seedling Growers th clonal hybrids of Eucalyptus grandis. ICFR Zululand Annual Symposium, Haga Haga, Eastern Cape, 10 Regional Interest Group Field Day, Kwambonambi, 18th June. November. Viero P. 2004. Eucalypt Re-establishment. Lecture given Oscroft D. 2004. Commercial weed control practices. to B Tech. Forestry students at PE Technikon, Port th Presentation to Sappi Forests Contractors and Service Elizabeth, 26 July. Field Staff, Kwambonambi, Zululand, 3rd February. Viero P. 2004. Re-establishment of Eucalyptus smithii on Oscroft D. 2004. Commercial weed control practices. Enon plantation (NCT). Preliminary results. ICFR th Presentation to Sappi Forests Management, Midlands Regional Interest Group, Richmond, 9 Kwambonambi, Zululand, 12th February. November.

Oscroft, D. 2004. Coppice management. Field talk, Viero P. 2004. The effect of different re-establishment Representatives from FOSA (Uruguay), Zululand, 20th May. practices on eucalypt survival and growth across three sites. ICFR Central Regional Interest Group, Piet Retief, 16th November. Oscroft D. 2004. Silvicultural management. Field talk, East African Tree Biotech Project, Zululand, 3rd June. Viero P. 2004. The effect of different re-establishment practices on eucalypt survival and growth across three Oscroft D. 2004. Coppice management. Field talk, NCT sites. ICFR Zululand Regional Interest Group, Emerging Growers Field Day, Zululand, 29th June. Kwambonambi, 18th November.

Page 70 Annual Research Review 2004 Wagner R G, Little K M, Richardson B and McNabb K. Smith C W. 2004. A background to research in the Forest 2004. The Role of Vegetation Management for Productivity programme at the ICFR. MMRC meeting, Enhancing Productivity of the World’s Forests. Paper visit by Profs Shiver/Pienaar of the USA, ICFR, presented at 4th International Weeds Science Pietermaritzburg, 2nd August. Congress (IWSC), ICC, Durban, 24th June. Smith C W and Kunz R P. 2004. Stratification and Ross T I and du Toit B. 2004. Characterisation of Pinus productivity of forest sites using a classification based patula fuel loads in South Africa. ICFR Mpumalanga on climate. Sappi Forests Workshop, Sutton plantation, Regional Interest Group Field Day, Sabie, 13th October. southern KwaZulu-Natal, 20th January.

Ross T I and du Toit B. 2004. Characterisation of Pinus Smith C W and Kunz R P. 2004. Stratification and patula fuel loads in South Africa. ICFR Central Regional productivity of forest sites using a classification based Interest Group Field Day, Piet Retief, 16th November. on climate. ICFR Central Regional Interest Group Field Day, Piet Retief, 10th February. Saint-André L, Deleporte P, Gava J L, Conçalves J L M, Laclau J-P, Nzila J D, du Toit B, Marien J N and Ranger Smith C W and Kunz R P. 2004. Stratification and J. 2004. Assessing the impact of slash management productivity of forest sites using a classification based on eucalypt productivity using a modelling approach: on climate. Presentation to Mondi Forests Planning sensitivity to the chosen equation. 6th CIFOR Group, Kwambonambi, 2nd March. Workshop: Site Management and Productivity in nd th Tropical Plantation Forests. Piracicaba, Brazil, 22 -26 Swain T-L. 2004. The Eucalyptus macarthurii debate – November. results of 2nd generation progeny trials. Paper presented at the South African Plant Breeders Smith C W. 2004. Harvesting impacts research: How far Association Symposium, San Lameer, KwaZulu-Natal, have we come? ICFR Central Regional Interest Group 15th-17th March. Field Day, Piet Retief, 10th February. Swain T-L. 2004. Management plan for ICFR seed Smith C W. 2004. Harvesting impacts research: Visit to orchards. Presentation to Seed Orchard Working Group Swaziland harvesting impacts trial, ICFR Mpumalanga Meeting, Piet Retief, Mpumalanga, 22nd June. Regional Interest Group Field Day, Usutu Forests, th Swaziland, 4 May. Swain T-L. 2004. Breeding of E. nitens and associated wood properties. ICFR Midlands Interest Group Field Smith C W. 2004. Some highlights from a visit to forest Day, Enon, KwaZulu-Natal, 9th November. plantations in Brazil and Ecuador. SAIF meeting, ICFR, th Pietermaritzburg, 10 May. Upfold S J. 2004. Accessing information from the ICFR. ICFR Zululand Regional Interest Group, Kwambonambi, Smith C W. 2004. Some highlights from a visit to forest 20th May. plantations in Brazil and Ecuador. ICFR Board of Control th meeting, ICFR, Pietermaritzburg, 17 May. Upfold S J. 2004. Accessing information from the ICFR. Presentation to Mondi, Kwambonambi, Zululand, 3rd Smith C W. 2004. Achieving high productivity in forest August. plantations in South Africa. Presentation to Mondi East th African Growers Group, ICFR, Pietermaritzburg, 28 May. Upfold S J. 2004. Accessing information from the ICFR. Presentation to Mondi, Pietermaritzburg, 19th August. Smith C W. 2004. Some research issues emanating from a visit to forest plantations in South America. ICFR Upfold S J. 2004. Accessing information from the ICFR. th Researchers meeting, ICFR, Pietermaritzburg, 10 June. ICFR Mpumalanga Regional Interest Group, Nelspruit, 13th October. Smith C W. 2004. Preparing for precision forestry: Implementing site-specific management recommendations Upfold S J. 2004. Accessing information from the ICFR. in fast-growing forest plantations: problems and Presentation to Mondi, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, 13th challenges in context. Precision Forestry Workshop, October. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 22nd-23rd June. Upfold S J. 2004. Overview of the ICFR. Presentation to Mondi, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, 13th October. Smith C W. 2004. Achieving high productivity in forest plantations in South Africa. Presentation to NCT Swaziland Upfold S J. 2004. Accessing information from the ICFR. Growers Group, ICFR, Pietermaritzburg, 13th July. Presentation to Mondi, Swaziland, 14th October.

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 71 Upfold S J. 2004. Overview of the ICFR. Presentation to sites. ICFR Zululand Regional Interest Group, Mondi, Swaziland, 14th October. Kwambonambi, 18th November.

Upfold S J. 2004. Accessing information from the ICFR. Wagner R G, Little K M, Richardson B and McNabb K. ICFR Midlands Regional Interest Group, Richmond, 9th 2004. The Role of Vegetation Management for November. Enhancing Productivity of the World’s Forests. Paper presented at 4th International Weeds Science th Upfold S J. 2004. Accessing information from the ICFR. Congress (IWSC), ICC, Durban, 24 June. ICFR Central Regional Interest Group, Piet Retief, 16th November. van den Berg G. 2004. Results from 2 x weeding x fertiliser x genetics x coppice trials. ICFR Central Regional Interest Group Field, Piet Retief, 10th February. van den Berg, G. 2004. Results from 2 x weeding x fertiliser x genetics x coppice trials. ICFR Midlands Region Interest Group Field day, Hilton/Linwood, 25th February.

Viero P. 2004. Eucalypt, re-establishment: past, present and future. ICFR Zululand Regional Interest Group Field Day, Kwambonambi, 20th May.

Viero P. 2004. Monitoring protocols for monitoring pitch canker – current status. PFWG meeting, FABI, University of Pretoria, 27th May.

Viero P. 2004. Protocols for the commercial monitoring of Fusarium circinatum. Pine Fusarium Working Group (PFWG) meeting, FABI, University of Pretoria, 27th May.

Viero P. 2004. Overview of the PFWG with emphasis on nursery certification. Agricultural Research Council, George, Southern Cape Region, 9th June.

Viero P. 2004. Pitch canker fungus, identification, morphology and control. Presentation on behalf of Glen Mitchell (Sappi Forests) at Seedling Growers Annual Symposium, Haga Haga, Eastern Cape, 10th June.

Viero P. 2004. Eucalypt Re-establishment. Lecture given to B Tech. Forestry students at PE Technikon, Port Elizabeth, 26th July.

Viero P. 2004. Re-establishment of Eucalyptus smithii on Enon plantation (NCT). Preliminary results. ICFR Midlands Regional Interest Group, Richmond, 9th November.

Viero P. 2004. The effect of different re-establishment practices on eucalypt survival and growth across three sites. ICFR Central Regional Interest Group, Piet Retief, 16th November.

Viero P. 2004. The effect of different re-establishment practices on eucalypt survival and growth across three

Page 72 Annual Research Review 2004 ICFR Trials

Acacia ...... 68 Eucalypt Tree Improvement ...... 68 Forestry Nutrition ...... 70 Re-establishment Research ...... 70 Vegetation Management ...... 70 Coppice Management ...... 71 Ecophysiological Regeneration Research ...... 71 Forest Productivity ...... 71 Harvesting Impact ...... 71 Mensuration ...... 71 Land Preparation ...... 72 Site-species Interaction ...... 72 Site-species Productivity ...... 72

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 73 Abandoned Felled Current Current Current Felled Felled Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Status Current Current Current Current Felled Felled Current Destroyed by fire Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Felled Current 1.000 0.500 0.810 4.670 3.500 0.400 0.600 2.430 1.750 1.500 2.490 2.700 3.000 1.000 1.600 1.100 0.200 Area 1.000 0.600 0.600 0.800 0.300 0.300 0.500 0.350 3.000 0.600 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.200 (ha) 1.200 2.100 1.160 0.700 0.500 0.250 0.300 1.800 1.300 1.430 1.200 1.100 0.600 2.000 0.800 1.100 0.900 1.700 0.700 0.800 2.000 0.450 Acacia Acacia E. macarthurii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. longirostrata A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii Species Mix A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii Mix A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii E. longirostrata E. longirostrata A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii E. longirostrata A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. decurrens A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. dealbata A. mearnsii A. mearnsii 1 1 1 1 1 1 2001 2003 2005 2005 2020 2005 2003 2010 201 2005 2005 2005 2010 Year 2005 2005 2003 2003 2016 2015 2007 Finish 2018 2015 201 201 2013 2013 2012 2007 2012 2013 201 2013 201 2013 2015 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010 2010 2003 2031 201 1/2002 1/2002 1/2002 1/2002 1/2002 1/12/1991 1/12/2001 1/09/2001 12/12/1994 17/01/1995 22/01/1988 01/03/1995 1 25/01/1994 24/02/1994 23/01/1987 14/02/1989 21/02/1984 16/08/2001 10/02/1972 10/03/1973 10/03/1973 10/01/1980 13/03/1985 15/01/1993 Plant Date 18/01/1995 06/12/1995 06/12/1995 13/12/1995 09/01/1996 09/01/1996 19/01/1996 24/01/1996 04/03/1997 17/04/1997 17/02/1998 14/10/1998 19/01/1999 23/08/2001 30/08/2001 19/1 22/1 26/1 07/02/2002 12/02/2002 25/04/2002 12/1 29/1 1 1 05/02/1999 16/04/1999 01/05/1999 06/12/1999 14/01/2000 27/02/2001 01/02/2000 02/02/2000 23/03/2000 12/01/2001 27/02/2001 t, 42 Aard 18 1a an , n/a , C04 , 9001 . 9001 TH 19 peenkoppies, 1 eza, ownlands evreden, 328 Ebenezer, 43 T Klipkraal, R22 Hlelo, E59b Jaglust, J30 Compartment Holmelacy Mistley Woodstock, W58 Jessievale, E51 Amsterdam V Bloemendal, 2c Bloemendal, 2b Bloemendal, 2b Bloemendal, 3b Bloemendal, 3c Bloemendal, 2b Plantation Mistley Sutton. M27 Sutton. M27 Bloemendal, 22b Blinkwater, D09 Seele’s, F47 Bloemendal, 3f Greenhill, E04 Boscombe, C22 Bloemendal, 20a Shafton, F12b Springbank, n/a Enon, A05 T T Salpine, F6 Erlandson Estate, D15 Bloemendal, 28c Liff, D29b Bloemendal, 29a Bloemendal, 29a Bloemendal, 29a Bloemendal, 20b Enon, C06 Mistley Bloemendal, 25a Golden Reef, MA 61 Bloemendal, 21E Harden Heights, 89 Sutton, P12 Claridge, T10 S Vlakkloof, B144 Hilton College, n/a Clairmont, B13a Bloemendal, 2a Bloemendal, 1 G Reinstorf Piet Retief Mun Global Forest Products Sappi J Mason Mondi Sappi KLF Global Forest Products SAWGU SAWGU SAWGU SAWGU SAWGU SAWGU Company Mondi Sappi Sappi SAWGU Mondi Mondi SAWGU Mondi Mondi SAWGU Sappi Liesegang NCT CTC Mondi Sappi Sappi SAWGU Sappi SAWGU SAWGU SAWGU SAWGU NCT Mondi SAWGU Mondi SAWGU UCL Sappi Liesegang Mondi Mondi Hilton College Sappi SAWGU SAWGU A 1 1/94/BSO5 A17/95/F1 A18/95/SP2 C7/95/GB.KLI CGG/91/MAC.HLE A13/94/BSO4 A12/94/BSO9 C2/89/MAC.WOO C3/88/MAC.JAG C1/84/MAC.JES C2/87/MAC.AMS A 3/73/PSO5E A 4/73/PSO6 A 5/80/PSO7 A 6/85/PSO8 A10/93/WW1 A1 Acacia A 2/72/PSO5 Trial Number A21/95/BSO6 A22/95/BSO8 A23/95/A34 A24/96/BSO3 A25/96/BSO7 A26/96/PSO9 A28/96/BSO10 A30/97/PS01 A31/97/SP3 A32/98/PSO10 A34/98/PSO13 A35/99/PSO14 A36/99/PS015 C1/01/LON.TEZ C1/01/LON.SAL A53/02/A40 A54/02/A41 A48/02/A37 A49/02/PLO1 A50/02/ROO1 A51/02/A38 C1/01/LON.NY A55/02/A42 A52/02/A39 A47/01/A36 Eucalypt Tree Improvement C1/01/LON.MEL A37/99/CVS1 A38/99/CVS2 A39/99/CVS3 A40/00/CVS4 A41/00/PSO16 A42/00/A35 A43/00/CVS5 A44/01/SP4 A45/01/PSO17 A46/01/SP5

Page 74 Annual Research Review 2004 Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Abandoned Current Current Current Current Current Current Abandoned Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Status Abandoned Abandoned Abandoned Current Current Current Abandoned Current Current Current Current 10 10 2.000 1.500 2.200 2.000 0.800 2.000 2.000 1.800 0.500 0.500 0.500 0.220 0.220 0.500 2.000 2.000 0.500 8.000 0.500 0.700 3.1 2.080 2.420 1.410 1.410 1.000 3.1 0.750 0.700 0.750 0.700 0.750 0.700 0.750 0.700 0.750 0.750 0.750 0.750 0.750 2.500 2.000 0.700 (ha) 0.700 0.750 Area 1.200 1.000 1.000 3.460 5.000 1.700 1.750 0.700 0.750 0.700 0.750 E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. nitens E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii, nitens E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii Species E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii E. macarthurii 1 1 1 ear 2009 2009 2009 2010 201 201 201 2006 2006 2006 2005 2005 2020 2002 2002 2020 2005 2020 2002 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2020 2005 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2020 2020 2003 Finish 2003 2003 2001 2001 2001 2003 2003 2004 2004 Y 2003 2003 2003 2003 1/1999 1/1992 1/1993 1/1993 1/1993 1/1993 1/1993 1/1993 1/1993 1/1993 1/02/1988 27/01/1999 02/02/1999 03/02/1999 14/04/1998 05/02/2001 22/02/2001 20/02/2001 21/02/1996 21/02/1996 07/02/1996 04/1 06/04/2000 25/04/1996 14/12/1992 01/12/1992 25/1 02/02/1992 29/03/1988 01/03/1994 1 14/12/1982 08/12/1982 18/01/1985 19/03/1985 02/02/1994 21/01/1988 27/01/1994 30/1 15/07/1993 30/1 10/12/1993 30/1 08/12/1993 30/1 08/12/1993 15/12/1993 08/12/1993 15/12/1993 08/12/1993 10/12/1991 10/02/1992 26/1 26/1 27/01/1994 18/12/1991 04/02/1992 21/01/1992 09/12/1993 18/01/1994 09/12/1994 14/12/1994 24/1 Plant Date 09/12/1993 24/1 06/12/1993 t, 33b entkop T Aard s, an 1a 1 1 s Height Mt. Gilboa, C05A In De Diepte, M21 Mt. Lebanon, E25 Gowan Brae, D45a Sarsden C07 Woodstock, 4A Lions Glen Gowan Brae, D45a Mossbank, M 6 Isabelladale, 2 Isabelladale, 2 Goodhope, A03 Blyfstaanhoogte, M46 Eland’ Arthur’s Seat, 28B Goedehoop, A22a Pinewoods, B16a Goedehoop, A22a Argyle, A30 Blyfstaanhoogte, N35A Lochleven, L13b Jessievale, E51 Daspoort, 19 Helvetia, E35 Westfield, C29 Jaglust, J30 Sutton, S 1 Dorsbult, C83 Sutton, S 1 Dorsbult, C76 Pinewoods, B13 Helvetia, E17c Pinewoods, B13 Helvetia, E17c Mistley Helvetia, E17c Mistley Helvetia, C19 Vrye Gunst, 604 Lions River Est, H13 Amsterdam V The Brook, 1 The Brook, 8d Maxwell, I1 Maxwell, I5 Dorsbult, A3b Helvetia, B27b Pinewoods, B13 Watervaldrift, B20 Pinewoods, B16b Watervaldrift, B45 Comrie, A21b Plantation Woodstock, W 6a Comrie, A21b Woodstock, W 6b Maxwell, I1 Compartment Mondi Global Forest Products Sappi Sappi NCT Sappi Mondi Sappi Sappi TWK TWK Mondi Global Forest Products Mondi Sappi Global Forest Products Sappi Global Forest Products Private Global Forest Products Sappi KLF Global Forest Products Sappi Mondi Global Forest Products Sappi Sappi Sappi Sappi Sappi Sappi Sappi Sappi Mondi Sappi Mondi Sappi CTC Sappi Global Forest Products Global Forest Products Global Forest Products Sappi Sappi Sappi Sappi Sappi Private (Creydt) Sappi Private (Creydt) Sappi Company Sappi Sappi Sappi Sappi T T T T T T T T T T T Y Y .SAR .LOT .LIO .IDD .GOO .GIL .ISA .ISA .LEB .MOS .AR .GOW .ELA .PIN .BL .AMS .DAS .JAG .GOE .JES .HEL .BAB .WOO CP1/99/NIT CP1/99/NIT CP1/99/NIT GX/98/GB.GOW CGG/01/NIT CGG/01/NIT CGG/01/NIT CF/96/NIT CF/96/NIT CF2/99/NIT CF3/99/NIT CF4/03/NIT CF/96/NIT C7/92/NIT C7/92/NIT C5/93/GB.GOE C6/88/NIT C6/94/GB.BL C7/92/NIT CF/96/NIT C5/88/NIT C1/82/NIT C3/85/NIT C3/85/NIT C3/92/GB.WES C5/88/NIT CS5/93/MAC.NA CS5/93/MAC.TVL CS6/93/MAC.NA CS6/93/MAC.TVL CS7/93/MAC.NA CS7/93/MAC.TVL CS8/93/MAC.NA CS8/93/MAC.TVL CS9/93/MAC.NA CS9/93/MAC.TVL CSX/93/MAC.NA CSX/93/MAC.TVL CVG/92/MAC.PSO C2/95/GB.LR C1/82/NIT CS4/94/MAC.TVL CS3/94/MAC.TVL CS4/93/MAC.NA CGG/91/MAC.MAX CGG/92/MAC.DOR CGG/92/MAC.HEL CP1/93/MAC.PIN CP1/94/MAC.VLA CP2/94/MAC.PIN CP2/94/MAC.VLA CS1/93/MAC.NA Trial Number CS1/93/MAC.TVL CS2/93/MAC.NA CS2/93/MAC.TVL CS3/93/MAC.NA

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 75 Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Completed Completed Current Completed Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Completed Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Completed Current Current Completed Completed Completed Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Status Current Current Current Current Current Current 2.000 2.000 3.000 3.280 0.520 1.400 1.120 1.060 2.330 2.330 1.500 2.330 0.620 1.000 1.630 4.500 1.000 13.840 0.770 (ha) 2.330 1.700 1.600 1.100 0.750 1.100 2.180 0.750 1.700 2.800 1.420 1.080 2.700 2.700 1.260 2.330 5.000 0.720 2.850 1.440 0.800 0.750 3.600 0.670 0.900 0.900 Area 1.000 0.500 2.500 1.730 1.400 0.750 aeda aeda hybrids . t . t . elliotti aeda, P E. urophylla E. camaldulensis E. camaldulensis E. camaldulensis E. urophylla E. urophylla E. urophylla E. urophylla E. urophylla E. camaldulensis E. camaldulensis . elliottii, P . elliottii, P . t x x x x x x x x x x E. grandis x x atula, P atula, P atula, P atula atula atula atula atula atula atula atula atula atula atula atula atula atula aeda aeda aeda . elliottii . elliottii . p . t . p . p . p . t . p . p . p . p . p . p . t . greggii . p . p . p . p . p . p . p P P E. grandis P E. grandis E. dunnii E. dunnii P P E. grandis P P P P E. grandis E. grandis P P Mix E. grandis, A. mearnsii P A. mearnsii E. grandis P E. grandis E. nitens E. grandis E. nitens P E. grandis P E. grandis P E. grandis P E. grandis P P P P P E. smithii E. smithii E. smithii P E. grandis Species E. nitens E. nitens E. nobilis E. nobilis E. nobilis 1 1 2026 2020 2004 2012 2004 2006 2006 2015 2015 2005 2015 2013 201 2020 2005 2005 2015 2020 2049 201 2012 2004 2002 2015 2008 2002 2015 2002 2016 2000 Finish 2015 2025 2015 2000 2030 2010 2010 2010 2010 2030 2025 2004 2005 2020 2025 2001 Year 2020 2007 2007 2015 1/1995 1/1990 1/1990 1/1990 1/1997 1/1994 02/1996 30/1 24/07/1996 02/1996 08/08/1996 31/10/1996 29/10/1996 17/02/1997 09/1992 01/09/1997 09/1992 08/1992 09/1991 20/09/1997 21/04/1998 01/07/1998 01/02/1989 13/1 03/02/1999 1 09/1991 07/03/1994 07/07/1995 12/1994 14/1 07/06/2001 14/1 01/1995 19/03/1991 06/06/1994 09/1994 02/1995 03/1995 13/06/1994 23/02/2000 04/1995 08/1990 10/1991 25/10/1995 06/01/2000 01/10/1995 17/03/1987 18/01/1989 19/02/1998 01/10/1995 27/03/1996 Plant Date 02/03/1999 1987 2003 13/1 02/12/1997 09/12/1999 , Piet Retief 1 1 , F003 A1 TH21A eza, Witklip, H8 Clan, Z10 Salpine, E5 Palm Ridge, BE12 Liff, D10 Liff, D10 Pinewoods, B9a Belfast, B1 Nyalazi, ND21B Jessievale, A98 Maggsleigh, D19 Ndubazi, Witklip, F13 Driekop, B13c Salpine, F3 Nyalazi, R12 Tree Fern Pool, 5766 Brooklands, E23a Shafton, D17 Tweefontein, N14b Rattrays Estate, F02c Elandsdrift, K32 Tree Fern Pool, 5766 Tree Fern Pool, 5766 Rosehaugh, A1 Honey Grove, K400 Mtunzini, Q14 Blyfstaanhoogte, N36 Boshoek, B39 Blyde, A56 Rattrays, L40 Driekop, C25b Glenthorpe, E62 Witklip, B39 Rhenosterhoek, F19 Mossbank, M6 Longridge, D27b Tweefontein, X56 Frischgewaagd Mountain Home, C30 Mondi Nursery T Spitskop, B61 Bloemendal, 1 Zenith Estates, Field 8 Plantation Mt. Lebanon, 4A Westfield, C28 Compartment The Bends, B004 Windy Gap, C 6 Lothair, 4A Prosperity SAFCOL Sappi Sappi Sappi Sappi Sappi Sappi SAFCOL Mondi SAFCOL Global Forest Products Sappi SAFCOL Global Forest Products Sappi SAFCOL Mondi SAFCOL Sappi SAFCOL Mondi Global Forest Products Mondi Mondi Mondi Kusel & Sons Mondi Global Forest Products Northern Timbers SAFCOL Mondi Global Forest Products Sappi SAFCOL Global Forest Products Sappi Mondi SAFCOL CTC Mondi Mondi Mondi SAFCOL SAWGU Zenith Estates Company Sappi Mondi Mondi Sappi Sappi Mondi .LEB .WES 1/95-1 1/91 1 14/95-6 18/95-1 19/95-2 19/92 17/91 1 F127/96 F129/95 F131/96 F132/96 F133/96 F134/96 F135/97 F136/97 F121/92 F124/92 F126/96 F1 F139/97 F140/98 F141/98 Forest Nutrition C.58 CSP 1 F101/94 W1 F1 F102/94 C.59 C.60 F103/95 C.64 C.82 C99/94 F104/95 F105/95 C.87 PM01/00 F106/95 F109/90 C95/91 F1 PM02/00 W1 C1/89/SMI.FRI G9/98/GB.MTN C4/92/GB.PR W1 Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management SE 26 W104/S88/94 W1 W124/96-3 GXI/99/NIT Trial Number C1/87/NxG C1/97/NOB.BEN C1/97/NOB.WIN C1/99/NOB.LOT C1/87/SMI.BAB

Page 76 Annual Research Review 2004 Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Status Current Current Completed Completed Current Abandoned Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current (ha) 1.000 0.700 0.700 2.000 0.800 2.500 1.500 2.500 0.970 . 1.100 3.000 1.500 . 4.300 1.200 0.540 2.000 Area 1.800 0.700 1.800 1.800 0.810 4.650 1.296 3.300 7.000 2.200 1.200 1.000 0.600 1.500 2.200 2.200 3.000 . . . 0.630 0.290 0.790 2.500 0.790 . . C C x x a . . U, G U, G x x . caribaea E. camaldulensis E. urophylla E. urophylla E. urophylla E. urophylla E. urophylla E. camaldulensis E. camaldulensis . radiat . elliottii x x x x x P x x x x atula, P atula atula atula atula atula atula atula atula atula atula atula aeda . elliottii . elliottii . elliottii . elliottii . elliottii . elliottii, P . p . p . p . p . elliottii . greggii . p . p . t . p . p . p . p . p . p . tecunumanii E. macarthurii E. nitens P E. grandis P P P E. grandis E. grandis P P E. grandis, G E. grandis E. grandis P P P E. grandis E. grandis, G E. grandis Species P E. dunnii P P P P E. macarthurii E. grandis P E. grandis P P P E. grandis P P A. mearnsii A. mearnsii A. mearnsii E. grandis E. smithii E. macarthurii E. grandis E. macarthurii E. grandis P P 2010 2010 2025 Finish 2004 2028 2027 2028 2022 2015 2004 2003 2003 2021 2008 2003 Year 2021 2010 2010 2020 2016 2010 2008 2020 2005 2001 1999 2010 2001 2010 2012 2015 2015 2016 2000 2000 2002 2010 2004 2010 2006 2006 1/1996 1/1993 1/2001 1/2001 1/1999 1/1993 1/1996 1/1997 1/2000 1/1991 1/1 07/01/1999 29/01/1999 12/12/2000 30/12/1994 24/10/1998 15/07/1997 13/08/1998 10/2003 01/08/2003 29/05/1997 30/1 15/1 23/1 03/06/1994 02/10/1996 08/2000 22/08/1996 15/07/1994 01/07/2000 03/10/2001 07/1 Plant Date 23/08/1996 04/09/1997 03/09/1997 01/04/1997 23/1 10/04/1996 01/02/2000 10/1 26/05/1997 19/1 13/10/1995 07/01/1997 1 19/12/1996 20/1 28/10/2000 23/1 10/10/2001 22/02/1990 10/12/1990 04/02/1992 30/07/2003 29/12/1992 26/08/2003 16/10/2003 23/10/2003 1 1a TH39 ton, F1 ton, D1 , J9 , J23A eza, H47 eza, Tweefontein, 15a Draycott, E30 Sjonajona, A09 Clan William, T9 Blyde, A70B Longridge, N36 Bergvliet, A39B Trust, E12 Dargle, C16c KT Bergvliet, B94 Nxcalu, D14 South Areas, A19 T Gilboa, D05B Kwambonambi, F15B KT Southern Areas, D7 Clan, H25 Plantation Kwambonambi, F22B Mountain Home, B22a Mountain Home, B22a Compartment KT Bluelilliesbush, E58 Hlelo, 15A Usutu, W1 Mavuya, B27 Blyfstaanhoogte, N32 Rattray’s, ZTTRG48 T Klipkraal, R08 London, G5b Hendriksdal, B40 Crof Usutu Forests, B12 Usutu Forests, B13 Bloemendal, 10b Cawood, D21a Friedham Timbers, n/a Baynesfield Estate, n/a Wondergeluk, N4 Welverdient. 901 A056 Briar Mains, B02b Oaklands, RF02C Shaf Hebron, C16 Linwood, C16 NCT Masonite Mondi Sappi SAFCOL Mondi SAFCOL Sappi SAFCOL Sappi SAFCOL Mondi Sappi Mondi Mondi SAFCOL Sappi Sappi Company SAFCOL Mondi Mondi Sappi SAFCOL Sappi Sappi Sappi Global Forest Products Mondi Mondi Mondi Mondi Global Forest Products Sappi Sappi Sappi SAWGU Sappi Willie Gevers Baynesfield Estates Sappi Mondi SQF Mondi Mondi Sappi Global Forest Products Mondi AC3 AC4 AC5 1/92/2 W152/99 W154/99 W160/00 W149/98 W150/98 W151/98 W147/97 W165/02 W140/97 W176/03 W142/96 W164/01 K 3/94/E Coppice Management W126/96-5 W161/01 W128/96-6 W162/01 W163/01 W127/96-7 Trial Number W133/96 W134/96 K 4/94/E K 5/96/R.PRE W155/99 K 6/96/P W156/00 Ecophysiological Regeneration Research SP 8 K 7/97/R.GC W157/00 SP 95/13 SP 96/03 SP 97/01 K 2/93/E SP 97/02 SP 98/01 Mensuration ASP ASP ASP M 6/90/1 M 7/90/2 M10/92/1 M1 W174/03 W175/03 Forest Productivity Harvesting Impact K 1/91/E W180/03 W179/03

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 77 Current Completed Current Current Current Current Completed Completed Completed Completed Current Current Completed Current Completed Completed Completed Current Completed Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Abandoned Current Current Current Current Current Completed Status Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current Current 2.060 0.760 1.000 1.000 2.060 1.600 1.540 0.600 1.000 0.600 1.200 1.600 1.540 1.600 1.620 1.540 1.540 1.500 1.620 (ha) 1.500 0.400 1.900 1.250 1.250 1.250 1.900 1.250 1.250 1.500 1.500 1.250 1.250 1.250 1.500 . 1.100 Area 0.400 1.000 0.400 1.000 0.400 0.400 1.000 0.400 1.000 1.000 1.000 0.600 . elliottii . . Acacia Acacia Acacia Acacia Acacia Acacia E. nitens E. teriticornis E. urophylla E. urophylla E. urophylla E. urophylla E. camaldulensis E. camaldulensis E. camaldulensis A. mearnsii, P x x x x x x x x x atula atula . elliottii . p . p Mix Eucalypts Mix Eucalypts, Mix Eucalypts Mix Eucalypts Mix Eucalypts Mix Eucalypts, E. grandis P P E. grandis E. grandis, A. mearnsii, dunnii E dunnii Mix Eucalypts, E. nitens Mix Eucalypts, A. mearnsii E. nitens P Mix Eucalypts, E. grandis, Mix Eucalypts, E. grandis E. grandis E. grandis Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts Mix Eucalypts Mix Eucalypts E. nitens E. grandis Species E. nitens E. nitens E. grandis E. grandis E. dunnii E. grandis E. grandis x camaldulensis E. dunnii E. grandis E. grandis 1 1 1 1 2002 2006 2000 2002 2002 2006 2002 2003 2005 2001 2001 2003 2006 2000 2006 2000 2000 2005 2008 2000 2008 Finish 2004 2005 2004 2016 2016 2016 201 2015 2016 2015 2016 2016 2016 2016 201 201 201 1999 Year 2003 2004 2005 2006 2005 2006 2005 2007 2007 2008 1/1991 1/1991 1/1995 1/1996 14/05/1992 18/06/1996 01/03/1990 28/02/1990 13/05/1992 19/08/1996 24/09/1992 28/03/1993 31/10/1990 20/1 21/1 06/12/1994 19/06/1996 30/10/1990 22/07/1996 05/03/1990 30/10/1990 31/10/1990 05/05/1998 05/03/1990 06/05/1998 21/04/1994 05/07/1995 08/07/1994 06/03/1996 03/05/1995 13/04/1995 23/1 14/02/2001 14/12/1996 13/12/1995 07/05/1996 17/05/1995 16/05/1995 18/12/1996 22/02/2001 01/02/2001 08/02/2001 20/10/1989 Plant Date 13/10/1993 28/1 27/10/1994 25/04/1995 01/09/1995 05/06/1996 15/05/1995 22/02/1997 22/07/1997 24/09/1998 104 104 1 1 , J18 , E19C , C07C , C07E TH21A , C7 an Manaan, B97 eza, Palm Ridge, A6 Draycott, D8b Draycott, D4 Eteza, H25 False Bay Bushlands, D02 Crofton, E10B Crofton, E10B T Mill - Umkomaas, n/a Killarney Manzengwenya, L20 Funeray Mkuze Estate, Field 5 Glen Cullen, B06 Glen Cullen, B01A Funeray Jonkersberg, south Baynesfield, ST1 Jonkersberg, north Nyalazi, D13A Glendale, D21 Shafton, C16 Epsom, B32 Good Hope Eersteling, 0078 Weza, G27E Ncalu, FO4 Mtunzini, Q20 Kwambonambi, C17 Nyalazi, D4 Babanango, C29 Rooipooit, D35 Dunstanborough, EQ1A Highflats, B09 Bloemendal, 27/30 Baynesfield, ST1 Woodstock, W06B Plantation Palm Ridge, B1 Riverbend, A4 KT Hodgsons, n/a Futululu, A12 Compartment Nyalazi, D07C Bushlands, B1 Hlelo, B35 V Rattrays, RC005 Umvoti Wattle Este, C01b Gilboa Sappi Masonite Masonite Mondi Chennels Chennels Sappi Sappi Mondi Sappi Mondi DWAF Mondi Senekal Mondi Mondi Mondi NCT Mondi NCT Mondi Sappi Sappi Sappi Mondi Mondi SAFCOL Mondi Mondi SAFCOL SAFCOL Mondi Mondi Sappi Masonite SAWGU Mondi Sappi Company Sappi Sappi Sappi Sappi Sappi Mondi Chennels Sappi Northern Timbers Mondi Mondi Mondi . 1 . 2 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 .10 .12 S35/96 Site-Species Interaction S28/90 S29/90 S33/92 S34/92 S36/96 T24/91/R.E T25/91/R.EW T27/92/R.EG T29/93/E.ED T30/93/PE S37/96 T21/90/E.EP S38/96 T18/90/E.E T19/90/E.PP T20/90/E.E S39/98 T16/90/R.W S40/98 M16/94/2 Site-Species Productivity SSP SSP SSP SSP S44/01 SSP SSP SSP SSP SSP SSP S43/01 S42/01 S41/01 Land Preparation T13/89/E.EG T15/90.R.EWP M12/93/1 Trial Number M15/94/1 M19/94/4 M20/95/1 M23/95/4 M25/96/1 M21/95/2 M22/95/3 M26/97/2 M27/96/2 M29/97/3 M30/98 M31/00/1

Page 78 Annual Research Review 2004 Current Current Abandoned Burned down Current Current Current Current Current Abandoned Current Status Completed 1.250 (ha) 1.250 1.250 1.250 1.250 1.250 1.250 1.250 1.250 1.250 1.250 Area 1.250 Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Mix Eucalypts, Pines Species Mix Eucalypts, Pines 2016 Finish 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2006 2016 2016 2016 2016 Year 2016 1/1995 1/12/1996 17/01/1996 06/12/1996 30/1 06/12/1995 1 18/01/1996 15/01/1996 16/01/1996 04/12/1996 12/1996 07/12/1995 Plant Date 15/05/1995 1 , B14b overton, 15 Jessievale, A59 Nelshoogte, G2b Ingwempisi, B4 Frantzina’s Rust, F59A Venus, A15 Waterhoutboom, H13 Sabie, Q38 Tweefontein, X46c Belfast, E1 T Fernleas, ND07 Plantation Albany Compartment SAFCOL SAFCOL Mondi Sappi Sappi Global Forest Products Mondi SAFCOL SAFCOL Mondi Mondi Company Mondi .18 .19 .17 .21 .23 .24 .25 .26 .27 .15 .13 .14 SSP SSP SSP SSP SSP SSP SSP SSP SSP SSP SSP SSP Trial Number

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 79 Summary of Current Trials

Species Trial Category Trial Type No. Total Trials Area (ha) EUCALYPTS E dunnii Forest Productivity Land Preparation 1 1.200 E. badjensis Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 7 13.380 E. benthamii Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 4 5.450 E. bicostata Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 4 4.460 E. biturbinata Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 3 3.800 E. cypellocarpa Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 3 4.450 E. dorrigoensis Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 3 2.920 E. dunnii Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 7 12.540 E. dunnii Forest Nutrition 2 2.520 E. dunnii Forest Productivity Mensuration 2 1.400 E. dunnii Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 1 0.700 E. elata Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 1 2.770 E. fraxinoides Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 1 0.850 E. globulus, E. nitens Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 2 2.400 E. grandis Forest Nutrition 1 2.800 E. grandis Forest Productivity Harvesting Impact 2 3.000 E. grandis Forest Productivity Land Preparation 2 1.700 E. grandis Forest Productivity Mensuration 1 0.630 E. grandis Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 2 2.800 E. grandis x E. camaldulensis Forest Nutrition 2 1.700 E. grandis x E. camaldulensis Forest Productivity Harvesting impact 1 3.000 E. grandis x E. camaldulensis Forest Productivity Mensuration 3 3.000 E. grandis x E. camaldulensis Re-establishment Research Coppice Management 2 4.110 E. grandis x E. camaldulensis Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 3 2.140 E. grandis x E. nitens Forest Productivity Mensuration 1 0.600 E. grandis x E. teriticornis Forest Productivity Mensuration 1 1.000 E. grandis x E. urophylla Forest Nutrition 4 7.130 E. grandis x E. urophylla Forest Productivity Mensuration 4 2.200 E. grandis x E. urophylla Re-establishment Research Coppice Management 1 2.200 E. grandis x E. urophylla Re-establishment Research Ecophysio Regen Res 2 E. grandis x E. urophylla Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 2 E. grandis, A. mearnsii, E. dunnii Forest Productivity Land Preparation 1 1.000 E. grandis, A. mearnsii Forest Nutrition 1 13.840 E. grandis, A. mearnsii, P. elliottii Forest Productivity Land Preparation 1 1.620 E. grandis, GxU, GxC Forest Productivity Harvesting Impact 2 3.600 E. henryii Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 4 4.500 E. longirostrata Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 4 5.700 E. macarthurii Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 30 44.020 E. macarthurii Forest Productivity Mensuration 2 1.580 E. macarthurii Re-establishment Research Coppice Management 1 1.296 E. macarthurii Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 1 0.700 E. macarthurii, E. nitens Eucalyptus tree improvement Tree Breeding 1 2.000 E. nitens Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 25 31.560 E. nitens Forest Nutrition 2 2.200 E. nitens Forest Productivity Mensuration 3 0.800 E. nitens Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 1 0.700 E. nitens x E. grandis hybrids Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 1 E. nobilis Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 3 5.630 E. smithii Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 3 4.290 E. smithii Forest Productivity Mensuration 1 0.290 Eucs (ha) 222.176

Page 80 Annual Research Review 2004 Species Trial Category Trial Type No. Total Trials Area (ha) ACACIA A. dealbata Acacia Tree Breeding 1 2.000 A. decurrens Acacia Tree Breeding 1 1.200 A. mearnsii Acacia Tree Breeding 39 39.250 A. mearnsii Forest Productivity Land Preparation 1 1.620 A. mearnsii Forest Productivity Mensuration 3 A. mearnsii Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 1 0.770 Acacia (ha) 44.840 MIXED SPECIES Mix Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tree Breeding 1 4.500 Mix Acacia Acacia Tree Breeding 2 1.600 Mix Eucalypts Forest Productivity Site-Species Interaction 8 9.920 Mix Eucalypts, Acacia Forest Productivity Site-Species Interaction 6 9.300 Mix Eucalypts, Pines Forest Productivity Site-Species Productivity 21 26.750 Mix (ha) 52.070 PINES P. elliottii Forest Nutrition 2 2.750 P. elliottii Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 5 10.000 P. elliottii x P. caribaea Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 1 1.200 P. elliottii, P. radiata Forest Productivity Harvesting impact 1 4.650 P. greggii Forest Nutrition 1 1.000 P. greggii Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 1 0.970 P. patula Forest Nutrition 8 14.410 P. patula Forest Productivity Harvesting Impact 1 7.000 P. patula Re-establishment Research Ecophysio Regen Res 7 8.700 P. patula Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 4 4.890 P. patula, P. elliottii Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 1 4.300 P. patula, P. elliottii, P. taeda Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 2 1.800 P. patula, P. taeda, P. elliotti Forest Nutrition 1 5.000 P. taeda Forest Nutrition 3 6.680 P. taeda Re-establishment Research Ecophysio Regen Res 1 1.000 P. tecunumanii Re-establishment Research Vegetation Management 1 1.800 Pine (ha) 76.150 TOTAL AREA UNDER TRIALS 395.236

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 81 ICFR Staff Administration PIETERMARITZBURG OFFICE Colin Dyer (Prof.) Director Tanya Lyn Wilby Personal Assistant (resigned June 2004) Tracy Jean Steart Personal Assistant (resigned December 2004) Karin Michelle Nagel Financial Manager Jaclyn Ponsford Receptionist Jabulani Sampson Mchunu Clerk Geoffrey Thulani Ngcobo Research Technician (medically boarded, deceased February 2004) Ntombizobwa Ella Mkhize Cleaner Bongiwe Yvonne Ntombela Cleaner

KWAMBONAMBI OFFICE Denis Geoffrey Oscroft Regional Manager / Research Technician Beverly Joan Oscroft Administrative Assistant Musa Mkhwanazi Research Assistant

SABIE OFFICE Tammy-Lyn Swain Regional Manager / Programme Manager Nikki Meinesz Administrative Assistant (resigned January 2004) Kariena Mol Administrative Assistant Maria Nomita Seketane Cleaner

Functional Support Sally Jane Upfold Editor & Public Relations Officer Richard Peters Kunz Information Manager (resigned December 2004) Sean Best* Computer Network Administrator

Désireé Karen Lamoral Librarian Innocent Vusumuzi Mchunu Library Assistant

Pregahasen Michael Chetty Laboratory Manager Mary Elizabeth Galbraith Laboratory Technician Lewis Thulani Masuku Laboratory Technician Thulani Dennis Mbhense Laboratory Assistant

Kay Nixon Research Fellow

Acacia Research Robert William Dunlop Programme Manager (resigned October 2004) Sascha Lynn Beck Research Scientist / Acting Programme Manager Vusi Mathews Mkhize Research Technician Thulani Cornelius Nsindane Research Assistant

Eucalypt Tree Improvement Tammy-Lyn Swain Programme Manager Colin Chiappero Research Technician Christopher Otim Komakech Research Technician Robert Nkonde Research Assistant (deceased August 2004) Patrick Thabethe Research Assistant

Page 82 Annual Research Review 2004 Re-establishment Research Keith Macmillan Little (Dr) Programme Manager Carol Ann Rolando Research Scientist Paul Walter Mario Viero Research Technologist Gerhardus Johannes van den Berg Research Technician (resigned December 2004) Gavin Higgs Research Technician Abednigo Xolani Colvelle Research Assistant

Forest Nutrition Ben du Toit Programme Manager (resigned December 2004) Janine Margaret Campion Research Scientist Steven Bryan Dovey Research Scientist Richard Anthony Job Research Technician Chané Nel* Research Assistant Bheki Ndawonde* Research Assistant (deceased April 2004) Timothy Ross MSc student

Forest Productivity Colin William Smith (Dr) Programme Manager Robin Arthur William Gardner Research Scientist Luke John Esprey Research Scientist Trevor Andrew Morley Research Scientist (MMRC) Shadron Naicker Research Technician Gregory Morris Fuller Research Technician Kwenzelakuphi Alpheos Ntombela Research Assistant Michael Buthelezi* Research Assistant Sandile Blessing Mbentse Research Assistant Diana Rietz PhD student

* contract staff

Annual Research Review 2004 Page 83