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Regions of provenance for forest reproductive materials are the basis for wise use of forest resources in a changing climate. In this work a modelling framework is proposed for silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in Italy where genetic clusters described by nuclear microsatellites were combined with high-resolution climatic data. When the genetic clusters were too large or had an uncertain ecological niche expression, an additional subregion division-was evaluated according to a climatic assessment. Subsequently each genecological group (Region of Provenance, RoP) was projected in geographic space separately using species distribution modelling (SDM) procedure under current (1991–2020) and a future climate scenario derived from the 6th assessment report for the period 2041–2070. The final division into nine RoPs was able to explain 77.41% of the total climatic variance, a good trade-off between statistical significance and practical usability. The modelling steps then showed a large degree of ecological overlap between RoPs with some of them occurring in similar ecological environments but characterized by a different genetic structure. When projected at the continental scale, the Italian RoPs were found to be suitable for almost all the current European range of silver fir, with potential expansion in Nordic countries in the future, beyond the current distribution range. The study showed that the combination of genetic and ecological data can be a robust way to proceed in areas where a strong genetic differentiation between populations occurs, such as in Italy. New markers such as SNPs can then be used to detect adaptive traits and drive the selection of provenances for common garden experiments in areas where the SDM modelscurrently extrapolate potential sites outside the current natural range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest ecosystems are of global importance, ecologically, economically and culturally. However, despite their fundamental role in mitigating the worst effects of climate change, to date there have been surprisingly few resources devoted to defining, conserving and planning resilient forests for the future. Progress in this field of research, which requires international and interdisciplinary cooperation, collaboration and communication, was presented and discussed at the second biannual conference of the European Research Group, Evoltree (https://www.evoltree.eu). Over four days more than 140 scientists met to share developments and to discuss forest ecology, genetics, genomics and evolution with a focus on realising "Resilient Forests for the Future". From examining evolutionary dynamics and using the past to understand future responses, to evaluating breeding approaches and the sustainable use of forest genetic resources, the conference addressed critical themes with relevance to this topic. The role of genomics in conservation, investigation of biotic interactions and identifying climate resilient forests were also explored. Finally, innovative methods and approaches which promise to increase the scale and speed with which forest evolutionary research can progress were introduced and evaluated. The Evoltree network and conference series provides invaluable opportunities to share knowledge and increase collaboration on forest genetic research, the need for which has never been greater or more urgent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document summarizes a study that used ensemble modeling to predict the suitable habitat for Quercus oblongata, a species of oak tree found in the western Himalayan region. The study used environmental variables and occurrence records to build the model, which included four algorithms. The study identified the most important environmental variables and determined the suitable habitat areas for Q. oblongata. The findings have implications for future exploration and conservation efforts. The document also provides additional resources for further reading on related topics. [Extracted from the article]

Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia) has a fragmented distribution of 75 groves found along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA. Outplanting and range expansion or assisted migration of this iconic species for the objectives of genetic conservation and timber production would be supported by information on growth and morphology to guide seed-collection decisions. We measured and assessed giant sequoia planted as seedlings and clonal stock originating from 22 groves in two common-garden experiments at Foresthill, California, north of the current species range, after 29 growing seasons. Traits examined were tree-size parameters, fluting and asymmetry of the lower stem, basal swelling, fullness of the live crown, epicormic sprouting, and heartwood decay resistance in cut stumps. Performance in terms of tree size after 29 years varied widely among genotypes with different grove origins. Morphology and decay resistance also exhibited some variation according to grove origins. The seedling stock outperformed the clonal stock of the same grove origins in terms of size and is therefore recommended when faster early growth is desired to outcompete other trees or for other management objectives. However, more fluting was exhibited by the larger fast-growing giant sequoia, while fewer seedlings had epicormic sprouts than the clonal stock of the same grove origins. At our warm low-elevation study site, giant sequoia from Mountain Home, Giant Forest, and Converse Basin consistently exhibited above-average growth among other giant sequoia in a pure planting and in an intimate mixture with five common conifer associates. Therefore, seed collected from these three groves should perform relatively well at other locations with a similar climate. When conservation of the species and its genetic diversity is the primary objective, we recommend collecting from a wide range of groves and undertaking assisted migration by planting at multiple locations inside and outside giant sequoia’s range as a hedge against the loss of native groves.

Sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) is a having general approval aromatic tree in China that is widely applied to landscaping and gardening. However, the evergreen tree adaptability is limited by many environmental stresses. Currently, limited information is available regarding the genetic analysis and functional identification of expansin genes in response to abiotic stress in sweet osmanthus. In this study, a total of 29 expansin genes were identified and divided into four groups by genome-wide analysis from the sweet osmanthus genome. Transcriptome and quantitative Real-time PCR analysis showed that the cell wall-localized protein expansin-like A (OfEXLA1) gene was significantly induced by salt and drought treatment. Histochemical GUS staining of transgenic Arabidopsis lines in which GUS activity was driven with the OfEXLA1 promoter, GUS activity was significantly induced by salt, drought, and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA). In yeast, we found OfEXLA1 overexpression significantly improved the population of cells compared with wild-type strains after NaCl and polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatment. Additionally, OfEXLA1 overexpression not only promoted plant growth, but also improved the salt and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis. To gain insight into the role of ABA signaling in the regulation of OfEXLA1 improving abiotic tolerance in sweet osmanthus, four differentially expressed ABA Insensitive 5 (ABI5)-like genes (OfABL4, OfABL5, OfABL7, and OfABL8) were identified from transcriptome, and dualluciferase (dual-LUC) and yeast one hybrid (Y1H) assay showed that OfABL4 and OfABL5 might bind to OfEXLA1 promoter to accumulate the OfEXLA1 expression by responding to ABA signaling to improve abiotic tolerance in sweet osmanthus. These results provide the information for understanding the molecular functions of expansin-like A gene and molecular breeding of sweet osmanthus in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trees, living for centuries, accumulate somaticmutations in their growing trunks and branches, causing genetic divergence within a single tree. Stem cell lineages in a shoot apical meristem accumulatemutations independently and diverge from each other. In plants, somaticmutations can alter the genetic composition of reproductive organs and gametes, impacting future generations. To evaluate the genetic variation among a tree's reproductive organs, we consider three indexes: mean pairwise phylogenetic distance (D), phylogenetic diversity (PD; sum of branch lengths in molecular phylogeny) and parent-offspring phylogenetic distance (DPO). The tissue architecture of trees facilitated the accumulation of somatic mutations, which have various evolutionary effects, including enhancing fitness under strong sib competition and intense host-pathogen interactions, efficiently eliminating deleterious mutations through epistasis and increasing genetic variance in the population. Choosing appropriate indexes for the genetic diversity of somatic mutations depends on the specific aspect of evolutionary influence being assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Amazonian native tree species Parkia multijuga has potential silvicultural characteristics that can be utilized to productive plantations. Understanding its mating system is necessary to delineate the methods for the breeding of the species, the collection of seeds for conservation, and the use of seedlings for production plantations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the mating system and population genetic diversity of P. multijuga, using molecular markers. The DNA of 221 plants was extracted and genotyped with nine microsatellite loci using capillary electrophoresis in an automated DNA sequencer. The estimates for single and multilocus crossing rates were 0.998 and 1.0, respectively. The paternity correlation was low ( r ^ p (m) = 0.307). The fixation index (f) showed values below zero, indicating an excess of heterozygotes. The cluster number K = 2 shows a better grouping among families for genetic structure. P. multijuga families consist mainly of half-sibs, and the reproductive strategy of the species is allogamy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Castanea sativa is one of the important forest tree species belongs to the so-called 'multipurpose' species because of its diverse beneficial properties and the wide range of valuable products that can be obtained. The species has long cultivation traditions in many areas of Europe and is a target of gene conservation network of the European Forest Genetic Resources Programme highlighting its international importance. The genetic diversity and differentiation of eight populations of Castanea sativa in Bulgaria was studied using quantitative genetic variation and isozyme gene markers. Significant variation in some morphometric parameters was found, especially for nut traits and adaptive traits. The large number of effective alleles and expected heterozygosity was found proving the existence of large genetic diversity in some populations. Polymorphism and diversity parameters were relatively high and corresponded to the values reported in other studies on the species. The cluster analysis classifies three populations as more similar to each other, which correspond to its geographic location. Despite current efforts at in situ conservation, ex situ conservation measures are necessary to be more actively implemented into the breeding program of the species to better safeguard its populations from degradation and unwanted loss. The results from the current study are very useful revealing that the infusion of new genetic materials from natural populations could be one of the key elements in management planning activities and for longterm conservation of the genetic resources of Castanea sativa in Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia) has a fragmented distribution of 75 groves found along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA. Outplanting and range expansion or assisted migration of this iconic species for the objectives of genetic conservation and timber production would be supported by information on growth and morphology to guide seed-collection decisions. We measured and assessed giant sequoia planted as seedlings and clonal stock originating from 22 groves in two common-garden experiments at Foresthill, California, north of the current species range, after 29 growing seasons. Traits examined were tree-size parameters, fluting and asymmetry of the lower stem, basal swelling, fullness of the live crown, epicormic sprouting, and heartwood decay resistance in cut stumps. Performance in terms of tree size after 29 years varied widely among genotypes with different grove origins. Morphology and decay resistance also exhibited some variation according to grove origins. The seedling stock outperformed the clonal stock of the same grove origins in terms of size and is therefore recommended when faster early growth is desired to outcompete other trees or for other management objectives. However, more fluting was exhibited by the larger fast-growing giant sequoia, while fewer seedlings had epicormic sprouts than the clonal stock of the same grove origins. At our warm low-elevation study site, giant sequoia from Mountain Home, Giant Forest, and Converse Basin consistently exhibited above-average growth among other giant sequoia in a pure planting and in an intimate mixture with five common conifer associates. Therefore, seed collected from these three groves should perform relatively well at other locations with a similar climate. When conservation of the species and its genetic diversity is the primary objective, we recommend collecting from a wide range of groves and undertaking assisted migration by planting at multiple locations inside and outside giant sequoia's range as a hedge against the loss of native groves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reviews the impacts of climate change on Greek forests, analysing factors such as climate trends, forest management, biodiversity, genetics, insects, and wildfires, using data from the Scopus and Mendeley databases and official reports. By utilising our current understanding and allocating necessary efforts and resources, we actively address climate change consequences on forests. This study focuses on climate change and extreme weather outcomes on forests. Greek mountain forests at 520–1310 m experience decreasing annual mean and minimum temperatures (−0.015 and −0.027 °C yr–1) but increasing maximum temperatures (+0.014 °C yr–1), especially in Southern Greece (+0.047 °C yr–1). Recent findings reveal forests migrating to higher altitudes with favourable conditions, correlating with water availability, temperature, and tree growth, necessitating further research on forest productivity. A decline in fir tree-ring growth (Average Tree Ring Width Index < 0.6) is observed in mainland Greece, indicating temperature's effect on growth. Effective forest tree conservation requires prioritising biodiversity monitoring, considering climate change impacts on phenology and addressing the absence of strategies to protect and enhance genetic diversity. Climate change influenced 70 forestry pests' ranges, notably among Greek insect pests. Annual burned areas from forest fires data indicate a consistent long-term increasing trend, underscoring fire prevention prioritization and exploring fire risk, behaviour, and climate change. The study highlights two to four significant knowledge gaps, and one to three key challenges pertaining to the six research areas. Finally, it promotes partnerships for informed decision-making and better outcomes by integrating Indigenous knowledge, scientific understanding, and collaboration among research, policy, and local management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fields of tree breeding and genetic engineering can be perceived as being antagonistic towards each other—genetic engineers suggesting that tree breeding is too slow and expensive and tree breeders suggesting that genetic engineering is not practical and too expensive. We argue here that both fields have much to offer forestry and the success of each is intimately tied to the other. The major purposes of genetic engineering in forestry are described as well as the importance of evaluating tree engineering initiatives in the context of tree improvement and silviculture and integrating genetic engineering with tree breeding from start to finish. A generalized approach is developed that meets these requirements and demonstrates the interrelationships between the activities and phases of each program. In addition, a case study of the American chestnut (Castanea dentata) is provided to underscore the value of integrating genetic engineering and tree breeding programs to achieve a long-term conservation goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantitative, accurate and efficient acquisition of tree phenotypes is the basis for forest "gene-phenotype-environment" studies. It also offers significant support for clarifying the genetic control mechanisms of tree traits. The application of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing technology to the collection of phenotypic traits at an individual tree level quantitatively analyses tree phenology and directionally evaluates tree growth, as well as accelerating the process of forest genetics and breeding. In this study, with the help of high-resolution, high-overlap, multispectral images obtained by an UAV, combined with digital elevation models (DEMs) extracted from point clouds acquired by a backpack LiDAR, a high-throughput tree structure and spectral phenotypic traits extraction and a genetic selection were conducted in a trial of Eucalyptus clones in the State-owned Dongmen Forest Farm in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Firstly, we validated the accuracy of extracting the phenotypic parameters of individual tree growth based on aerial stereo photogrammetry point clouds. Secondly, on this basis, the repeatability of the tree growth traits and vegetation indices (VIs), the genetic correlation coefficients between the traits were calculated. Finally, the eucalypt clones were ranked by integrating a selection index of traits, and the superior genotypes were selected and their genetic gain predicted. The results showed a high accuracy of the tree height (H) extracted from the digital aerial photogrammetry (DAP) point cloud based on UAV images (R2 = 0.91, and RMSE = 0.56 m), and the accuracy of estimating the diameter at breast height (DBH) was R2 = 0.71, and RMSE = 0.75 cm. All the extracted traits were significantly different within the tree species and among the clones. Except for the crown width (CW), the clonal repeatability ( R c) of the traits were all above 0.9, and the individual repeatability values ( R i) were all above 0.5. The genetic correlation coefficient between the tree growth traits and VIs fluctuated from 0.3 to 0.5, while the best clones were EA14-15, EA14-09, EC184, and EC183 when the selection proportion was 10%. The purpose of this study was to construct a technical framework for phenotypic traits extraction and genetic analysis of trees based on unmanned aerial stereo photography point clouds and high-resolution multispectral images, while also exploring the application potential of this approach in the selective breeding of eucalypt clones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Silvicultură şi Cinegetică is the property of Societatea Progresul Silvic / Forest Progress Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

He passed away twenty years ago, but the memory of Prof. Ezio Magini is alive in Italian forest scientists. He was a distinguished professor of Silviculture at the University of Florence, pionieer of quantitative Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding in Italy. Of high intellectual honesty and lovable personality, always willing to teach with patience to young people, he was a great example of methodological rigor, in terms of setting up clear hypotheses, sound experimental planning and data collection, in depth statistical analysis: a great guide for all of us. Thanks once again, Prof. Magini!

The aim of this study was to analyse the viability of two forest genetic resources (FGR), one arboretum and two comparative trials, re-establish the limits of them (including the replications and provenances limits within them), and to establish the management measures necessary for sustainable conservation of FGR, trials and arboretum, in the forests managed by Experimental Base (B.E.) Săcele (Brașov county, Romania) of National Institute for Research and Development in Forestry “Marin Drăcea” (INCDS). In the Romanian National Catalogue of FGR are includes two populations managed by B.E. Săcele, one constituted mainly for European larch (Larix decidua) and the other principally for Norway spruce (Picea abies), both with other associated species, like Silver fir (Abies alba), European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus). Also, in the B.E. Săcele is well represented the FGR group of artificial trials, where the genetic heritage of some national and European provenances of European beech, European larch, Norway spruce, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), black pine (Pinus nigra) and white pine (Pinus strobus) is preserved ex situ, in comparative trials and in an arboretum. In the spring of 2022, the current state of the two forest genetic resources (spruce and larch), the arboretum (spruce, Scots pine and black pine) and the two comparative trials (beech– European provenances and larch– full-sib experiment) were analysed and the necessary works for the conservation and sustainable management of these valuable gene pool have been executed/ planned. Thus, it was executed or planned the restoration of the experimental device limits, choosing the seed trees and their materialization in the field, as well as recommending the emergency extraction of felled trees, those with broken stems, as well as standing dried trees. Further research will be carried out regarding phenotypic data, phenological studies, as well as the study of wood using cores and rounds, the data being subsequently correlated with climatic data. Finally, valuable sources will be recommended for use in similar ecological conditions, both in the regions of origin, as well as in the Curvature Carpathians, the region in which they stood out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] This study investigated the genetic variation of growth traits (DBH, height and volume) of Cunninghamia lanceolata clones at different stand ages and explored suitable age for early selection to provide basis for rebreeding of fine varieties. [Method] A total of 56 samples from 131 C. lanceolata clones were randomly selected from the survey data of individual trees. Based on the data of DBH, height and volume measured at ages of 5,10,15,20 and 30 years, the variation analysis, variance analysis and reduplication estimation of traits were carried out to analyze the genetic variation rule of each clone at different stand ages. Early and late correlation analysis and cluster analysis were also used to determine suitable stand age for early selection. Clustering analysis and Bregkin multi-trait evaluation method were used to select fast growing clones and the selection effect was evaluated by calculating genetic gain and realistic gain. [Result] There were rich variations in DBH, height and volume of C. lanceolata clones, with ranges of 11.82%-24.41%, 10.56% -21.28% and 30.83%-66.73% respectively. They were in the order of volume >DBH>height. The results of variance analysis showed that DBH, height and volume of C. lanceolata were significantly different among clones with repetitions of 0.919 - 0.947. Correlation analysis showed that morning and evening correlations of growth traits were extremely significant and positive with correlation coefficients of 0.432 - 0.999. The correlation between each growth character was related to stand age interval, and shorter interval led to closer correlation. The results of cluster analysis showed that the positive selection rate was 85.71%, the wrong selection rate was 14.29%, and the omission rate was 0%, compared with the fast growing clones selected at the age of 30 years. At the age of 30 years, the overall genetic gain of DBH, height and volume of 6 fast growing clones were 21.86%,18.32% and 61.19 %, while those of actual gain were 29.86%, 24.93% and 92.92%, respectively. Based on comprehensive evaluation using Bregin's multiple traits,79172 (1.705) was the best, followed by 7911 (1.698),8213 (1.688), 8237 (1.672), 79173 (1.666) and 8219 (1.664). [Conclusion] The growth traits of C. lanceolata clones had rich genetic variation and were controlled by high genetic control, showing good potential for genetic improvement. The age of 15 years was the earliest suitable age for selection of fast growing clones of C. lanceolata to improve efficiency of genetic improvement. The 30-year-old clones of 79172 and 7911 were selected according to the selection rate of less than 5% for popularization in Yongzhou forest area, Hunan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Remote Sensing is the property of Editorial Office of Journal of Remote Sensing & Science Publishing Co. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

He passed away twenty years ago, but the memory of Prof. Ezio Magini is alive in Italian forest scientists. He was a distinguished professor of Silviculture at the University of Florence, pionieer of quantitative Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding in Italy. Of high intellectual honesty and lovable personality, always willing to teach with patience to young people, he was a great example of methodological rigor, in terms of setting up clear hypotheses, sound experimental planning and data collection, in depth statistical analysis: a great guide for all of us. Thanks once again, Prof. Magini! [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the new repositories of specimens and knowledge that emerged from Sweden's first "phytotron," a modern climate laboratory for plant research established in Stockholm in the 1960s. Different aspects and scales of technoscientific plant and crop growth came together under one roof: inhouse trials on the timing and spacing of trees and crops, postwar domestic policies to modernize a largely rural country, and Swedish forest geneticists' expertise in international efforts to improve forest stand and productivity globally. I argue that a scalar analysis of scientific forestry can help identify and assess the historical contingencies and contexts that formed the interventions in planetary order invoked by the Anthropocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncovering the genetic basis of local adaptation is a major goal of evolutionary biology and conservation science alike. In an era of climate change, an understanding of how environmental factors shape adaptive diversity is crucial to predicting species response and directing management. Here, we investigate patterns of genomic variation in giant sequoia, an iconic and ecologically important tree species, using 1,364 bi‐allelic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We use an FST outlier test and two genotype–environment association methods, latent factor mixed models (LFMMs) and redundancy analysis (RDA), to detect complex signatures of local adaptation. Results indicate 79 genomic regions of potential adaptive importance, with limited overlap between the detection methods. Of the 58 loci detected by LFMM, 51 showed strong correlations to a precipitation‐driven composite variable and seven to a temperature‐related variable. RDA revealed 24 outlier loci with association to climate variables, all of which showed strongest relationship to summer precipitation. Nine candidate loci were indicated by two methods. After correcting for geographic distance, RDA models using climate predictors accounted for 49% of the explained variance and showed significant correlations between SNPs and climatic factors. Here, we present evidence of local adaptation in giant sequoia along gradients of precipitation and provide a first step toward identifying genomic regions of adaptive significance. The results of this study will provide information to guide management strategies that seek to maximize adaptive potential in the face of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was carried out on seven varieties of the local bread wheat (Babel 3 Abu Ghraibi, Ebaa99, Baghdadi, Furat, Rashid7, Farisi). Young leaves of seven bread wheat varieties were collected to study genetic diversity among studied genotype by using fifteen operon primers via RAPD indicators. The results were obtained indicated that the fifteenth primers used in the number of batches propagated were variant such as primers OP-H01 and OP-G6 that gave the highest number of bands reaching 14, whereas primers OP-R14, OP-I02 and OPG-2 have the lowest number of bands of 7. Total number of bundles reached 141, while the number of disparate bands reached 132, with a high rate divergence of 93. 62%. However, Principal Components Analysis (PCA) showed a clear match with the results of the genetic kinship tree based on the RAPD indicators, which illustrate their distribution in two main groups, group (A), which included Group (A1), variety (Euphrates), and group (A2) included the variety (Rashid 7 and Abu Ghraib), while the second group of the main group was (B), which included (B1), variety (Babel 3), and (B2) group included (Faris 1) and group (B3) included two varieties (Baghdad 1 and Abu Ghraib). The results also exhibited the occurrence of varieties in two main components, depending on the RAPD indicators. Thus, the current results indicate that RAPD parameters are highly efficient in diagnosing the genetic divergence between bread wheat varieties were used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving wood growth rate and wood quality are worthy goals in forest genetics and breeding research. The ARK1 gene is one member of the ARBORKNOX family in all plants, which play an essential role in the process of plant growth and development, but the mechanism associated with its gene network regulation is poorly investigated. In order to generate over-expression transgenic hybrid poplar, the agrobacterium-mediated transformation was used to obtain transgenic hybrid poplar '717' plants to provide insight into the function of the ARK1 gene in poplar. Moreover, the morphology of transgenic plants was observed, and transcriptome analysis was performed to explore the ARK1 gene function. The results showed that there were significant differences in pitch, stem diameter, petiole length, leaf width, leaf length and seedling height between ARK1 transgenic seedlings and non-transgenic seedlings. The transgenic seedlings usually had multiple branches and slender leaves, with some leaves not being fully developed. The results of transcriptome analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were involved in the growth of poplars, including proteins, transcription factors and protein kinases. Genes related to the positive regulation in plant hormone signal transduction pathways were up-regulated, and the genes related to lignin synthesis were down-regulated. The RT-qPCR analysis confirmed the expression levels of the genes involved in the plant hormone signal transduction pathways and phenylpropanoid pathway. In conclusion, the ARK1 gene had a positive regulatory effect on plant growth, and the gene's coding enzymes related to lignin synthesis were down-regulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed orchards play a critical role in reforestation, but often struggle to consistently produce enough seed. A mixture of the less polar gibberellins, GA4 and GA7, has been shown to promote flowering in Pinaceae species, but the responses vary significantly based on species, genotype and provenance, application method, timing and dosage. Previous studies with lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.) suggest that the response to exogenous GA4/7 varied among genotypes. Gibberellins also play a critical role in seed development and germination but it remains unclear how exogenous GA4/7 will affect seed quality. We used 25 lodgepole pine genotypes in a commercial seed orchard in Alberta, Canada to explore the impact of genotype and geographic origin on the efficacy and optimal timing of GA4/7 stem injections to promote female cone bud initiation, cones and seed production. Overall, we found that GA4/7 stem injections promoted female conelets in 40% of genotypes included in this study. For these 10 genotypes, we found that the latitude of their provenance was positively correlated with later effective application times. Of the remaining 15 genotypes, five were hypersensitive to exogenous GA4/7 showing needle discolouration and loss, and 10 genotypes showed no response. In general, stem-injected GA4/7 did not affect the number of seeds per cone while two genotypes showed a reduced seed yield and one genotype showed increased seed yield per cone. Seed weights were not affected by the stem-injected GA4/7, while the July application date resulted in higher germination rates compared to control trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on forest tree breeding (FTB) in South Korea started in the 1950s and have achieved remarkable outcomes through various techniques and methods such as selective breeding, cross breeding, introduction breeding, and biotechnology. Despite these outstanding achievements, no attempt has been made to objectively and quantitatively evaluate the results of domestic FTB research. Here, we quantitatively analyzed past research trends using keywords of published journal papers and compared the current domestic research level of FTB with the international level. Using various keywords in this field, we searched for research articles published in the Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science, the Korean Journal of Breeding Science, and the journals listed on the Science Citation Index from 1962 to present. The analysis of these studies showed that the research on FTB has grown quantitatively in Korea, and has been conducted on various subjects. Research topics from Korea, in terms of purpose and species, are not significantly different from those of foreign countries. The genus Pinus has been the major subject of FTB studies both domestically and internationally. However, in foreign FTB research, the trees used for research have diversified each year, while they were not diverse in Korea. The FTB research capacity of Korean national institutions, such as the National Institute of Forest Science, continues to dramatically increase, while the research capacity of universities is relatively low. Based on the results of this analysis, it is necessary to establish a concrete and effective policy for future research and development of FTB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 35th biennial Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference (SFTIC) was held on the 4th and 5th day of June 2019, in Lexington, KY, USA. The theme of the conference was "Genetics and improvement of forest health and productivity". Plenary speakers detailed significant progress in understanding forest tree genomes, identifying candidate genes for disease resistance and tree architecture traits and utilizing both genomic selection and genetic modification to advance forest health and productivity. Concurrent and general technical sessions provided additional evidence of progress in these areas as well as information on seed zone development for the eastern USA and species prioritization for conservation and restoration programs, in addition to advanced genome-assisted selection and breeding methods and programs in species of commercial interest including pines and eucalyptus. An interactive poster session provided each poster presenter an opportunity to speak in front of a general session audience and to take Q&A in a traditional poster session format. Pre-conference workshops and a post-conference field tour rounded out the 35th SFTIC with 88 registered for the conference, more than 60 participating in workshops and 33 attending the field tour. The conference program and proceedings are accessible through the SFTIC web site at http://www.sftic.org. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The history of the development of forest genetics in Russia has been poorly studied, although the information obtained in this field is of great importance for research, both in general genetics and in forest science. Practically the first attempt was made to present materials on this topic. The review of publications of Russian researchers in such sections of forest genetics as population genetics (isoenzyme and DNA polymorphism analysis), karyology and cytogenetics, phenetics, genetics of quantitative features, induced mutagenesis, and genomics is presented. The applied methods are analyzed, and the main results of the studies obtained in each of these directions are summarized. In most detail, with the involvement of a large number of literature sources, studies in the field of population genetics, karyology and cytogenetics have been examined. It was noted that a limited amount of publication did not allow reflection of studies in a number of other areas of forest genetics, for example, in the development of the genetic basis for the resistance of forest woody plants to pathogens and insect pests. The review focuses on the genetics of forest-forming coniferous species that grow in Russia: Scots pine, Siberian stone pine, larch and spruce species, Siberian fir, and some other species. The importance of the conducted studies not only for the genetic analysis of the species reviewed, but also for the identification of other features of their biology is shown. An outstanding role of L. F. Pravdin and Yu. P. Altukhov in the development of Russian forest geneticists was noted. The emergence of new trends in genetics, in particular, epigenetics, poses new difficult but promising tasks for forest geneticists.

We recognize in this note a mistake in the reconstruction of a tragic episode during the Second World War, reported in the article “Remembering a leading forest scientist: Ezio Magini” (https://doi.org/10.3832/efor0060-017).

Forest Genetic Resources (FGR) are the basis on which the health of future forests are dependent. It is genetic diversity that enables trees to adapt to conditions and optimise their performance to succeed. A lack of diversity increases the vulnerability of a population or species to changing conditions and pathogens, while a greater diversity is a potential buffer against biotic and abiotic change. This paper undertook a review of international practice in FGR conservation and proposes a strategy to implement in an Irish context. Dynamic in situ conservation has been adopted as the best practice for the conservation of FGR in most cases. The dynamic approach is often referred to as a "near-nature" approach and the focus is to maintain adaptive potential in natural or semi-natural populations. A network or group of sites is also considered best practice in FGR conservation. This has been implemented in the EUFORGEN pan-European conservation network. Selection of the individual populations or sites to include in the network is dependent on the availability of data. The selection criteria are addressed in the strategy proposed. In order to conserve genetic variation, it is important to be able to assess the actual or potential level of this variation. Where data is lacking, proxies such as climatic conditions can be used. A table of actions for the implementation for the strategy is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]