This trial was carried out at Experimental area of Ornamental Plants Department
Faculty of Agriculture Cairo University throughout two successive seasons of 1996
and. 1997. Four months uniform seedlings of 4 introduced Eucalyp < /em>tus species namely
Eu.calyptus incana, Ecamaldulensis, Ecitriodora and Egomphocephala were planted
. in 4 different growing media i.e. sand, clay, the mixture of them 1:1 and 2:1 (v/v).
The obtained results demonstrated that the mixture of sand and clay 1: 1 (v/v)
enhanced the growth parameters viz. plant height, leaves area, root length, fresh and
dry weight of stems and fresh weight of roots where the increases were 10.4, 62.09,
27.99, 99.2, 17.3, and 44.2% respectively attributed to those detected corresponding
to .sandy growing media while seedlings growing in clay media gave the superior
values in stem diameter, branches number, fresh and dry weight of leaves and dry
weight of roots since the increases attained 11.6, 52.15, 53.5, 52.3, and 51.0%
respectively more than sandy soil which diminished all growth parameters. Mixture of
2:1 resulted in the intermediate values irrespective the effect of different species.
Biomass of both Egomphocephala and E incana increased to maximized values due
to clay or the mixture of 1: 1 (v/v) whereas the mixture of 2: 1 or clay media enhanced
much more the biomass of E citriodora. On the other hand E camaldulences had the
superior biomass due to the mixture of 1:1 or 2:1.
Evaluation of Eucalyp < /em>tus species revealed that E camaldulensis had the best
values in plant height and fresh and dry weight of roots. E gomphocephala
pronounced the maximum values in branches number, root length and fresh and dry
weight of leaves, branches, and stems. E incana had the superior values in stem
diameter while E. citriodora gave the least values of growth with leaf area exception.
From the heretofore results it can be concluded that E camaldulensis seedlings
should be planted in the mixture of sand and clay at portion 1:1 or 2: 1 (v/v). Both of
Eincana and E gomphocephala being best in clay or the mixture of 1 :1whereas E
citriodora preferable to be planted in the mixture of 2: 1 (v/v)
Clay and the mixture of sand and clay 1:1 media performed the highest values of
chlorophyll A, B and total sugars compared with those of sandy soil which declined
them. Leaves of E gomphocephala contained highest chlorophylls.
Therefore it might be recommended to improve the physical and chemical
properties of sandy media by adding clay as portion of 1:1 or 2:1 and also to enhance
the traits of clay media by adding sand to make a suitable growing media