Workshop within WP4

Although conifers are generally regarded as undomesticated trees, genetic improvement through breeding, selection and testing has had a significant impact on the productivity and quality of plantations established for a wide variety of species worldwide. Many conifers have been the target of tree improvement efforts over the last 50 years, and many of these are now well into their second, third, or even fourth cycle of breeding. New possibilities for improving production and quality are provided by research on tree genomics. The identification of candidate genes involved in the developmental expression of traits of interest, such as those related to production and adaptation, the acquisition of a large number of SNPs in both candidate genes and random loci across the genome, and the development of high throughput genotyping are undoubtedly a prerequisite to the implementation of advanced gene- and marker-assisted selection strategies for tree improvement. These developments will contribute to increasing the supply of improved forest tree feedstocks for desired specific end-uses. It is in the context of these well-established programs that emerging genomic tools offer the greatest potential for immediate impact and deployment of benefits to forest tree production.

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