Schiller, G., Department of Natural Resources, Volcani Center, Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel

Provenance trials of Eucalyptus microtheca F. Muell. were established in the central Coastal Plain and the northern Negev in 1983, using the seed of 303 trees from 73 provenances in Australia bulked into 21 provenance groups by the CSIRO Division of Forest Research. Survival, height, and diameter development of E. microtheca in the central Coastal Plain were lower than those of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. In the northern Negev, several progenies of E. microtheca had better growth and survival rates than E. camaldulensis. Variations within provenance groups in growth and survival were very large. Relations between the measured traits and variables describing the seed source of E. microtheca indicate the existence of latitudinal and longitudinal clines. Provenance groups most suitable for use in the northern Negev are Springsure, Qld. (No. 14), Rockhampton, Qld. (No. 15), and Walgett, N.S.W. (No. 20). © 1995 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.