FO 616 Forest Tree Improvement

Pre-requisite: None

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of concepts and principles tree improvement
  2. Apply the knowledge of concepts and principles tree improvement in research

The role of forest tree improvement in forestry. Qualitative and quantitative inheritance, evolution and genetic firmness, causes of genetic variation; inbreeding and heterosis; selection, heritability, breeding value, genotype-environment interaction. Interaction between breeding and silvicultural activities; breeding methods; crossing systems for progeny testing, incorporation of breeding goals in species and provenance testing, short and long term breeding, plus tree selection, seedling and clonal seed orchards; design and establishment. Breeding zones; flowering and seed production in seed orchards, clonal forestry; breeding for quality.