Development & Aid, Environment, Tierramerica - Ecobrief

Ecobreves – CHILE: Drought-Resistant Eucalyptus Cloned

SANTIAGO, May 27 2006 (IPS) - Eucalyptus trees resistant to drought have been cloned — reproduced through genetic manipulation — for reforestation plans and forestry development in Chile's arid zones.

On May 22 came the announcement of the project's success in Los Vilos, a town 225 km north of Santiago, the gateway to the semi-desert region of Coquimbo, where the main economic activities are mining, fishing and small-scale farming.

Mauricio Cañoles, of the Foundation for Agrarian Innovation, explained to Tierramérica that forestry productivity has been increased in arid and semi-arid lands planted with two types of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus cladocalyx).

The governmental forestry institute will soon make these trees available for widespread cultivation.