IUFRO Breeding theory and progeny testing

IUFRO Division 2 Joint Conference: Low input breeding and genetic conservation of forest tree species will be held on October 9-13, 2006, Antalya, Turkey.

Small scale tree domestication, tree breeding and genetic conservation face different challenges compared to large and highly developed programs. There are economical and logistical constrains particularly in developing countries. Low input domestication of trees and shrubs for farmers is being promoted by World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF).

• In general, there is not sufficient financial support or land to develop rigorous and large-scale tree breeding programs for many forest tree species.
• The scale [and cost] of the improvement program should be customized to the [financial and planting] capacities of the end users, or the cultivation range of the species.
• Most countries such as Mediterranean basin countries, China, Korea, Africa and India have to deal with multiple species.
• Some countries have forest land with steep slops and low fertility land. Progeny testing is costly and physically challenging.
• In most instances, conventional tree breeding is not appropriate.
• Conservation of genetic resources of minor species may require different strategy compared to widely used forest tree species.

To address problems outlined above, an international meeting is planned in October 2006, in Antalya, Turkey. The topics may include the following:

• Low-cost domestication, breeding and testing strategies.
• Economic analysis of small scale forest tree breeding and gene conservations strategies in reducing the cost?
• Use of molecular markers and biotechnology in designing and implementing cost efficient breeding and gene conservation programs.
• The role of in-vitro / vegetative propagation in design and implementation of cost efficient breeding programs, the role of clonal testing and selection.
• Low-cost gene conservation strategies.
• Tree selection, domestication and improvement for agroforestry.