We report EPR and magnetization for Gd2BaNiO5 single crystals. The hig
h-temperature susceptibility gives mu(eff) = 7.9 mu(B)/mol Gd and thet
a(Gd) = 11 K (J(GdGd)/k(B) = 0.6 K). The coupling of 1-D Ni chains thr
ough the Gd-Ni interaction induces 3-D antiferromagnetic order with T-
N similar or equal to 55(3) K, indicated by a divergence of the EPR li
newidth. A mean field analysis gives J(Gd-Ni)/k(B) = 3 K.