Eucalyptus pellita is cultivated for pulpwood in tropical and subtropical regions but remains underutilised for structural applications, particularly in dry tropical environments. Compared to well-studied species such as Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus globulus, its potential in engineered wood products is poorly understood. As plantation industries seek to diversify products and increase wood value, understanding the structural suitability of E. pellita hybrids is critical. This study evaluated the performance of E. pellita and its F1 and backcross hybrids across two dry tropical sites, spanning log quality, product recovery, structural properties, and genetic associations. Billets were assessed for form, diameter, and defects. Sawing and peeling trials quantified recovery rates and defects. Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) was fabricated from hybrid veneers and tested for density, modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), and bond quality. The E. pellita x Eucalyptus brassiana hybrid achieved highest recoveries among the materials tested (sawn board recovery up to 49.2%; green veneer recovery up to 83.6%). The highest-performing LVL (layup 3) from this hybrid achieved an MOE of 18.8 GPa and MOR of 139 MPa. Genetic analysis using a targeted panel of ~ 5500 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers identified significant associations above the –log₁₀(p) = 1.30 threshold for end split (SNP1358), knot diameter (SNP3201), and heartwood proportion (SNP2187). Although statistical power was limited by sample size, these findings highlight the potential of E. pellita hybrids for structural applications and demonstrate the value of integrating phenotypic and molecular data to support tropical hardwood breeding and utilisation strategies.
Falade et al. (2026) studied this question.