Résumé
Teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) has great potential as a species for production of valuable quality timber from fast growing plantations of the tropics under sustainable forest management. Some studies have suggested that wood quality is affected by the interaction between genetic origin and meteorological conditions. A more realistic prediction of quality and value of young plantation-grown teak is important in the current context of extensive teak plantation programs in tropical countries. Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd (ICSB) in Malaysia has embarked on an intensive R&D program for teak. Materials from mature selected plus trees (ortets) from a broad genetic base, and seeds of presumed high genetic value, were multiplied then planted by using a well-developed tissue culture technique at the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory of ICSB. Fifty-three clonal representatives were felled for board-sample collection. Additionally, seed sets from natural forest stands, plantations and a multi-provenance clonal seed orchard were planted in two different locations. Within these former trials (around 7 year old) 61 superior teak trees from 19 provenances were core-sampled. On the boards and the cores, the most important wood characteristics for commercial use were analysed: figure, basic density, MOE, colour, shrinkage, heartwood proportion, extract content and natural durability. (Texte intégral)