Search

The article focuses on the 60th anniversary of the Bavarian Office for Forest Genetics (AWG) in Teisendorf, Germany which is dedicated to preserving genetic diversity for the future of forestry. It highlights the role of AWG in forest genetic research, including its laboratories, field trials, and the importance of genetic markers in the sustainable management of forest resources.

An interview with Joachim Hamberger, the head of the Bavarian Forest Genetics Office (AWG) is presented. He discussed the critical role the AWG plays in preserving genetic diversity for forest management, particularly in the face of climate change. It is reported that the AWG manages seed banks and conducts field trials to test alternative tree species and optimize forest regeneration.

The article offers information on the possible ways on climate change adaptation of the forests, discovered by scientist from British Columbia. Topics discussed include professor Sally Aitken who had researched about the genetics of the local forest, the insights of John Innes regarding the beetle infestation due to the climate change, and the experimental program on forest management by the Ministry of Forest, land and Natural Resources Operations.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the response of 4 forest tree species to Glomus fasciculatum, inoculated at nursery and field stages. At nursery stage the diameter above ground, total height, dry leaf and root weight, and nutrient intake by leaves and roots were evaluated. In the field total height, diameter, and leaves' nutrient intake were quantified. Results showed that at the nursery stage inoculated ronrón (Astronium graveolens), teca (Tectona grandis), and amarillón (Terminalia amazonia), presented the average highest increases with 48.9, 35.2 and 30.6%, respectively; whereas in melina (Gmelina arborea) the increase was only 16.9%, registering significant differences in leaf and root dry weight. Overall, dry weight increases of leaves and roots showed the highest values, with 30.8 and 63%, respectively. Regarding nutrient absorption, ronrón showed significant differences in Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe in leaves and roots; however, melina was the species with the highest nutrient concentrations, even though not statistically significant; the rest of the species did not register significant differences. At field stage, among the inoculated species, melina was the only one showing significant differences in diameter and total height, with 37.9 and 31.7% increases, respectively. Average nutrient absorption by melina, amarillón, and ronrón was 32.2, 19.8 and 6.6%, respectively; with the highest absorption in Ca, Mn, K and Fe. Mortality at the nursery stage was zero; whereas in the field, it varied according to the species and treatment. The increase in growth of the 4 species was the common tendency, when G. fasciculatum was used, except in teca, which did not show positive results in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of 25 F2 families of Eucalyptus deglupta and 28 of E. grandis was evaluated in Turrialba, Costa Rica, with the aim of converting the trials into seedling seed orchards. E. deglupta families were selected from an F1 progeny test established in Upala, Costa Rica, while those of E. grandis were selected from an F1 progeny test established in Tucurrique and from a plantation at CATIE, in Turrialba. Trials were evaluated annually to collect information on stem straightness, height and dbh, and presence of damage by fungi. Results are reported for the last evaluation, when the trials were 3.8 (E. deglupta) and 4.4 years-old (E. grandis). Highly significant differences were found among families for all variables evaluated. In E. deglupta, at 3.8 years of age, heritabilities of 0.09, 0.29 and 0.28 were found for stem straightness, height and dbh, and additive genetic coefficient variances (AGCV) of 10.59, 9.72, and 14.89 for the three variables, respectively. With a selection intensity of 1.16, expected genetic gains for these three variables are 3.7, 6.0, and 9.1%. In E. grandis, heritabilities for stem straightness, height and dbh were 0.25, 0.13, and 0.18, and AGCV were 19.93, 4.81, and 12.12, respectively. With a selection intensity of 0.97, expected genetic gains are 9.7, 1.7, and 5.0% for these three variables, respectively. Practical recommendations are given for the conversion of the trials into seed orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports the creation of genetically engineered forests in Alabama. Preparations made by Champion International, administrator of the plantations, before planting the superseedlings; Impact of genetically engineered plantations on biodiversity; Projections on the extent of the genetically engineered forests; Consequences of pine conversion.

The article offers information on several meetings to be held in 2015 including the Highlevel Political Forum on Sustainable Development, the 18th Meeting of the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) Scientific Council, and the Third Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Forest Genetic Resources.

The article reports that to preserve the ash as native forest tree species too secure and to preserve specialized species and communities in the long term, the "Frax For Future" demonstration project was initiated.

The article focuses on the North American project of the Forest Health Initiative (FHl) to investigate the effectiveness of genetic engineering in rescuing tree species devastated by pests and diseases which include Castanea dentata or American chestnut tree. It states that FHI plans to plant transgenic C. dentata trees in the wild to reestablish the species in North American forests.

As a leader in an accounting firm, get away from the forest to see the trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that University of British Columbia (UBC) researcher Shawn Mansfield has created genetically modified poplars to make lignin, which are easily broken during processing without affecting the strength of trees. Topics discussed include modification of poplar's genes to make lignin, the role of genetically modified trees in changing the forestry industry and the impact of using genetically modified trees on environment.

The article presents a study that aims at analyzing the influence of environmental change on epigenetic regulation in forest trees. As mentioned, epigenetics refers to a study of gene expression or cellular phenotype genes. It further states that these changes can be caused from the changes occurred in underlying DNA sequence. It also discusses influence of polyploidization and hybridization events on forest trees.

Information on a conference on the genetics of trees titled "Wiedergeburt der Baumgiganten" held at the park Branitzer Park located in Germany in 2013 is presented. The main focus of this conference is forest restoration due to influences of the globalization. Other topics mentioned in this article include historical gardens, the reproduction of trees, and gardening.

The article discusses the mystery behind how 400 curved trees in the Crooked Forest in Poland got their J shape.