Applied Forest Tree Improvement

General Concepts of Tree Improvement. Variation and Its Use. Provenance, Seed Source, and Exotics. Quantitative Aspects of Forest Tree Improvement. Selection in Natural Stands and Unimproved Plantations. Seed Production and Seed Orchards. Use of Tree Improvemente in Natural Forests and in Stand Improvement. Selection and Breeding for Resistance to Diseases, Insects, and Adverse Environments. Vegetative Propagation. Hybrids in Tree Improvement. Wood and Tree Improvement. Advanced Generations and Continued Improvement. Gain and Economics of Tree Improvement. The Genetic Base and Gene Conservation. Developing Tree Improvement Programs.

The Canada-Alberta Forest Resource Development Agreement tree improvement project was started in April 1986 for four years to expand and accelerate work on a provincial genetics and tree improvement program that would lead to enhanced yield, wood quality, and pest resistance. This report describes project activities and accomplishments for the four years, including field selection and wood quality evaluations of 99 superior trees for two genetic improvement projects; establishment of 20 new research plantations on species, provenance, and genetic testing topics, and carrying out intensive investigations on three flowering and seed production studies; planning and implementing a rare and exceptional stands survey; site developments for nine new experimental areas; and a substantially increased plant propagation, seed technology and technical support program to meet requirements of the expanded tree improvement program. The report also presents a summary of selected research results.

Tree Breeding and lmprovement is gaining significant attention and attraction across the country as a scientific tool to enhance the productivity and wood quality besides facilitating conservation of Forest Genetic Resources. The science of Tree Breeding is comparatively young but extended greater scope in the recent past in operational plantation development programme. The Tree Breeding and lmprovement has been incorporated as a subject in Under Graduate as well as Post graduate degree programme in Forestry offered at various State Agricultural Universities of the country. The existing text books on Tree Breeding are very limited and the practical aspects of tree breeding have not been evidenced in most books. The students and the tree breeding scientists require a comprehensive text book incorporating all theoretical and practical aspects of tree breeding. Accordingly the current book entitled “TREE BREEDING AND IMPROVEMENT - THEORY AND TECHNlQUES” has been designed with 18 chapters. The basic and fundamental aspects of tree breeding have been presented in chapter 1. The chapters 2 and 3 elaborate the Center’s of origin and pollination mechanism of trees. The theoretical and practical aspects of tree breeding methods, hybrid development, genetic tests and their biometric analysis have been presented with suitable field level examples from chapter 4 to 9. Incorporation of Seed orchard, clonal forestry, Exotic Forestry and Forest Biotechnology with -the-state-of-art- recent development will find greater utility by the students and researchers. Above all, the chapters on Varietal Developmental Process, Variety Registration and Organizations involved in tree breeding will have profound utility. ln a holistic perspective, the information furnished in the book will act as a great piece of information to the graduating scholars to understand theoretical and practical aspects of tree breeding towards satisfying their academic needs besides applying them in tree breeding research. For the scientists and teaching faculties, the book will act as a ready reckoner not only for reference but also to apply them in all field level applications.

Forest tree improvement has mainly been implemented to enhance the productivity of artificial forests. However, given the drastically changing global environment, improvement of various traits related to environmental adaptability is more essential than ever. This book focuses on genetic information, including trait heritability and the physiological mechanisms thereof, which facilitate tree improvement. Nineteen papers are included, reporting genetic approaches to improving various species, including conifers, broad-leaf trees, and bamboo. All of the papers in this book provide cutting-edge genetic information on tree genetics and suggest research directions for future tree improvement.