Metla Project 3413

National Forest Tree Breeding and Seed Orchard Programs

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

Duration: 2005-   Keywords: Breeding program, Progeny testing, Tree breeding
Research project group: Forest tree breeding

Objectives

The project is responsible for carrying out the national forest tree breeding and seed orchard programs. The aim of these programs is to ensure the availability of genetically improved and well adapted material to form a basis for commercial production of reforestation materials in Finland. One of the foremost goal of the genetic improvement is the adaptation to global climatic change of future reforestation materials. In the southern part of the country, the main commercial goal is improved volume growth of high quality timber whereas in northern Finland, the trait of highest importance is climatic hardiness, which in these circumstances also guarantees both good timber production and its high quality. The project is also re-sponsible for the planning of elite seed orchards; The main goals are good seed production, high genetic and physiological quality of the seed and its suitability for the planned deployment region. Further objec-tives comprise prolonged production time of seed orchards, increased seed production and profitability of the production, as well as the production of seed to harsh areas in northern Finland where no seed orchard seed has yet been available.

Results

As a result of selective breeding of the past decades, the present seed orchards produce seed that outgrows unimproved stand seed by 15–20% (stem volume).

The breeding programs of the main tree species have proceed to the stage where most operations concern 2nd generation or more advanced breeding stock. In the northern Finland, the genetic testing of 1st generation plustrees is still underway (will be completed in the early 2010’s). The goal of the breeding programs is to produce preliminarily tested and tested material for 2nd generation seed orchards

Project leader: Haapanen, Matti
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Unit, PO Box 18 (Jokiniemenkuja 1), FI-01301 VANTAA, FINLAND
Phone: +358 29 532 2521
E-mail: matti.haapanen@metla.fi

Other researchers: Antola, Jukka, VA (2005-13), Beuker, Egbert, PU (2007-13), Hagqvist, Risto, HA (2005-13), Hahl, Juhani (2005-08), Lepistö, Martti (2005), Mikola, Jouni (2005-09), Napola, Jaakko, HA (2005-13), Napola, Marja-Leena, HA (2005-13), Niemi, Karoliina (2009-10), Ruotsalainen, Seppo, PU (2005-13), Vakkari, Pekka, VA (2005), Valkonen, Liisa (2011)


Top of page

Updated 02.02.2013
Comments