The GENECAR Kick-off Meeting was held at Biri , Norway , June 21-22 2005

 

The objective of the meeting was to present the GENECAR Network and activities of the Nordic research in the four topics that have been chosen as the main projects. Further, GENECAR activities should be presented and discussed.

 

33 scientists from the Nordic countries participated in the meeting.

 

5 general and 15 presentations were given:

Tore Skrøppa : General introduction to GENECAR

Øystein Johnsen: Genetics of climatic adaptation of boreal forest trees

Katri Kärkkäinen : Gene research and biotechnology

Erik Dahl Kjær : Conservation genetics of Nordic trees

Gunnar Jansson : Breeding research

Bengt Andersson: Climatic adaptation research at Skogforsk , Sweden

Jon Kehlet Hansen : Climatic response of sessile oak, pedunculate oak and European beech populations

Martin Lascoux: Polymorphisms and linkage disequilibrium at candidate genes for budset in Norway spruce

Pekka Heino: Birch EST analysis

Tuija Aronen: Biotechnology projects at Punkaharju: studies on vegetative propagation of Scots pine, cryopreservation of tree germplasm and lignin-modifies birches

Kurt Fagerstedt: The effect of modification and natural variation of lignin on wood properties in Norway spruce clones

Harald Kvaalen : Somatic embryogenesis in Abies lasiocarpa and Picea abies

Tor Myking : Genetic variation in northern tree populations: Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra and Fagus Sylvatica

Anders Søndergaard Larsen : Hybridization and genetic variation in Danish populations of European crab Apple (Malus sylvestris): implication for conservation?

Ulrik Bräuner Nielsen : Breeding activities in Denmark; status 2005

Matti Haapanen : Tree breeding and supportive research activities at Metla

Arne Steffenrem : Breeding research in Norway

Martti Venäläinen: The challenge of breeding for wood quality

Anders Fries : Wood and fibre traits in breeding – genetic parameters and molecular markers

Karl-Anders Högberg & Hubert Wellendorf : Genetic correlations among sites and cutting-seedlings comparisons in a clone trial series in Denmark and southern Sweden

 

Suggestion of GENECAR activities

  • Compile and distribute information
  • Initiate research proposals
  • Find research partners
  • Utilisation of common materials
  • Co-ordinate common projects
  • Identify knowledge gaps
  • Exchange of scientists and students
  • Integration of other Nordic institutions
  • Integration of Baltic and Adjacent Area scientists
  • Organise and finance meetings and workshops
  • Facilitate European (EU) research cooperation
  • Facilitate cooperation with other sectors, i. e. forest pathology and wood technology

During the discussion it was stressed that Nordic meetings are important. Such meetings should be organised for both research specialists and practitioners. Distribution of information is important, both by the homepage and by e-mail letters.