Clonal Propagation of Exceptional Summer and Autumn Flowering Mature Eucalyptus Trees as a Nectar and Pollen Source for the Beekeeping Industry

The Israeli summer and autumn are well known for their aridity and deficiency of native flowering plants. Therefore, the Israeli beekeeping industry suffers each year during this time an economic depression due to lack of food sources for the honeybees (Apis mellifera). Eucalyptus species, which naturally flower during summer and autumn, could compensate this deficiency. However, since all the Eucalyptus trees in Israel are originated from seeds, flowering intensity and timing are highly variable, and selections for elite clones should be performed. Of note, according to the literature, flowering properties in Eucalypts are highly affected by genetics.

Clonal Propagation methods such as induction of adventitious roots in cuttings are used when genetic uniformity is required. Many Eucalyptus trees are rooting recalcitrant plants which lose their capability of adventitious roots formation during the maturation phase.

The aim of this project is to select mature Eucalyptus trees that show better flowering features and high attractiveness to honeybees during the Israeli summer and autumn and clone them by inducing adventitious roots in cuttings. These clones will be used for honeybees` pasture plantations.

So far, elite clones were scored according to long-range observations conducted by beekeepers who established Eucalyptus orchards for their bees. The propagation is done by induction of adventitious roots in cuttings from the desired trees, using novel particular rooting agents selected from an educated combinatorial library prepared by us.

By now, we have succeeded to root cuttings originated from Eucalyptus trees, planted 2-3 decades ago, which exhibit superior performance with respect to their function as a food source for honeybees. These included trees of the following species: E. camaldulensis, E x trabuti, E. leucoxylon macrocarpa, E. leucoxylon leucoxylon, C. ficifolia, E. gomphocephala as well as an individual that is suspected to be a hybrid of E. brachyphylla.