Abstract
Dalbergia tonkinensis (Yellow rosewood) is a rare timber species with high economic value in Vietnam and China. It was assessed as Vulnerable under criteria A1cd in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and in the Vietnamese decree 84/2021/ND-CP to control illegal harvesting. The seed sources of this species are low in genetic diversity because few mature trees exist in natural populations. In the last decade, efforts have been made to study the market and use of the species, morphological characteristics, phenology, pests and diseases, and gene conservation in Vietnam. A study of morphological variation among provenances of D. tonkinensis in Vietnam revealed significant differences in traits such as total height, bark colour, stem form, fruit shells, and seed size. The species is propagated easily via seeds and cuttings. Seeds from plus trees have been safely stored in seed and field gene banks. Provenance/progeny tests in three field gene banks showed notable genetic variations in growth, form, and disease resistance. High individual heritability (0.33–0.49) and additive variation were observed for growth traits. Results highlight superior gene sources for early plantation growth and recommend conserving genetic diversity. Comprehensive information on D. tonkinensis has been reviewed in this chapter.