Eucalypt plantation forestry in Chile.

Summary Eucalypt planting has increased rapidly in Chile in the last two decades, from 753 ha in 1974 to about 45 000 ha in 1992; there were an estimated 170 000 ha of plantations by 1992. The most widely planted species is Eucalyptus globulus, planted in the centre and south; E. nitens is planted in colder areas and E camaldulensis in the drier north-central zone. E. cladocalyx and E. sideroxylon have shown promise in arid zones, and E. regnans, E. fastigata and E. delegatensis in the south. About 60% of the plants produced in 1992 were raised in containers, and most big companies prefer containerized plants even though bare-root seedlings are cheaper to produce. Large companies invest in intensive establishment and management techniques (site preparation, fertilization and weed control) which are often mechanized. The most damaging pathogen in nurseries is Botrytis cinerea, while plantations on droughty sites are prone to attack by the stem-boring insect Phoracantha semipunctata. It is estimated that E....