Successful breeding of boreal forest trees

Lead institute: The Forestry Research Institute of Sweden (Skogforsk), Sweden

Project leader: Dr. Gunnar Jansson

Background

Both short and long term breeding is being done in all Nordic countries, but at varying intensity. The institutes have an extensive experience in e.g. breeding theory, progeny testing, and selection methods and how seed orchards function. A co-ordination of breeding research activities will improve the efficiency. There is a need for a better understanding of breeding strategies and programmes for boreal species, primarily Norway spruce and Scots pine, and for evaluating and transfer of the best breeding methodologies among the Nordic countries. Among questions of common interest are how to do low input breeding and how to combine breeding and gene conservation.

Objectives

The overall objective is to improve breeding methodologies in Nordic forest tree breeding. Nordic tree improvement should be made more efficient by sharing knowledge, methodology, and technology for tree breeding.

General approach

Development of breeding strategies will be based on simulations. Methods for data analysis of multiple traits and multiple site evaluation of progeny and clonal tests will be further developed and adapted to forest trees. Studies will be based on established field tests, and new will be set up to study early flowering and seed orchard management.