Metla Project 3344

Breeding of Forest Tree Species and planning of seed orchards

[  Suomeksi  |  Objectives  |  Project leader  |  Researchers  |  Publications  |  Metla Research  ]

Duration: 2002-2004   Keywords: breeding , breeding program, breeding zone, crossing, progeny testing, seed production seed orchard program

Objectives

The general objective of forest tree breeding is genetic improvement of economically important properties of forest trees, to form a basis for commercial production of reforestation materials, which are well adapted and hardy in their range of utilisation and have high timber production and good quality characters. The main objective in the southern parts of the country is to increase volume and to improve quality. In northern Finland the most important objective is good climatic hardiness , which in these circumstances also guaran-tees both good timber production and high quality of timber. The other objective of long term breeding is to maintain genetic variability in breeding populations so that the possibilities for varying weighings of char-acters exist in the future in breeding and seed production. The purpose of the main breeding line is to maintain genetic variability so, that breeding activities may continue in a sustained and progressive way dur-ing several tree and human generations. The objective of nucleus breeding is to produce as quick and large breeding gains as possible for various purposes of practical forestry. The time schedule of breeding activities is integrated to the regeneration needs and time tables determined by seed orchard program.

In seed production planning project the most important task is to plan pine, spruce, birch and larch seed or-chards according to the seed production program financed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The aim of the project is also to secure good seed production and high genetic and physiological quality of the seed and the suitability of the seed to the range of utilization. The aim of this work is also to prolong the seed production period of the seed orchards, to increase seed production and profitability of production as well as to produce seed to harsh areas in northern Finland, where no seed orchard seed is available so far.

Project leader: Haapanen, Matti
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Unit, PL 18, FI-01301 VANTAA, FINLAND
Phone: +358 29 532 2521
E-mail: matti.haapanen@metla.fi

Other researchers: Antola, Jukka, VA (2002-04), Beuker, Egbert, PU (2002), Hagqvist, Risto, VA (2000-04), Hahl, Juhani, VA (2002-04), Lepistö, Martti (2002-04), Mikola, Jouni, VA (2002-04), Napola, Jaakko, VA (2002-04), Napola, Marja-Leena, VA (2002-04), Rossi, Pekka, SU (2002-03), Ruotsalainen, Seppo, PU (2004), Vakkari, Pekka, VA (2003-04), Velling, Pirkko, VA (2004)


Top of page

Updated 12.06.2012
Comments