Breeding strategies for forest trees: Concepts and challenges

Abstract

This paper describes some recent developments that affect the way forest geneticists think about breeding strategies for forest trees. The topics are grouped into several categories: (1) General Concepts; (2) Breeding Population Size; (3) Breeding Population Structure; (4) Management of the Breeding Population; and (5) Incorporating New Technologies in Tree Improvement Programs. The last major section on new technologies highlights: (1) The increasing importance of hybrid breeding in tree improvement programs: (2)The potential of somatic embryogenesis as a biotechnology leading to clonal forestry for some commercially-important species; and (3)The need for forest tree breeders and molecular geneticists to work together to incorporate promising new technologies into applied breeding programs.