Proceedings IUFRO 2011, Brazil | Improvement and Culture of Eucalypts 267 Improving the pulp productivity of a eucalypt suited to challenging environments - Corymbia citriodora J.T. Brawner 1&2 , Roger Meder 1 , D.J. Lee 3&4 Introduction Corymbia citriodora ssp variegata (CCV) is a species of interest in Australia (Lee et al. 2010) and South Africa (Gardner et al 2007) due to its adaptability, tolerance of endemic pests and diseases, and its inherently high wood density and pulp yield. Nevertheless, the taxon is relatively undomesticated for pulp production objectives. Compared to volume production, wood quality traits are more difficult to quantify and their genetic control is typically poorly understood in tree improvement programs. Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been utilised in a number of species to provide a rapid and inexpensive means of assessing wood quality compared to standard laboratory techniques (Downes et al. 2009). This study combines the results of productivity and wood property assessments to evaluate selection strategies so that the limited resources available for CCV breeding can be focused on the traits that will lead to the largest impact in pulp productivity (PP). Methods Progeny trials utilised for this study were established with the intent of converting trials into seedling seed orchards; a description of the trial’s early performance has been provided by Brawner et al (2011). Trials were measured for total height and diameter to estimate total tree volume. A pair of growth assessments was selected to represent volume production before and after thinning to remove biases in genetic parameter estimates and breeding value predictions. Five provenances from the Gympie region, which were being used as part of an association genetics study, were sampled for wood properties with an average of 6.7 stems from 211 families sampled and scanned with a near infrared (NIR) spectrometer. Pre-existing NIR calibration models for wood traits were utilised to provide predictions of pulp yield and wood density. 1 CSIRO – Plant Industry, 306 Carmody Road, St. Lucia Qld 4067, Australia. 2 The School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Qld 4072 Australia 3 University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, Qld 4558, Australia 4 Horticulture and Forestry Science, Department of Employment Economic Development and Innovation, Locked Bag 16, Gympie Qld 4570, Australia