The above Conference Proceedings, edited by R.D. Barnes and G.L. Gibson (CFI, Oxford), contain the papers presented at a joint meeting of IUFRO Working Parties on Tropical Species and Provenances (S2.03-01); Breeding Tropical Species (S2.03–01); and Breeding Southern Pines (S2.03–13), held in Mutare, Zimbabwe in April 1984, with the kind collaboration of the Zimbabwe Forestry Commission. In addition to 86 Voluntary Papers on species/provenance trials and tree improvement programmes in a number of tropical countries, seven Invited Papers are included in the Proceedings, viz:
| Namkoong, G. | Inbreeding, hybridization and conservation in provenances of tropical forest trees. |
| Barnes, R.D. Gibson, G.L. | Experimental design, management and selection of traits in provenance trials of tropical pines. |
| Keiding, H. Lauridsen, E.B. Wellendorf, H. | Evaluation of a series of teak and Gmelina provenance trials - selection of traits, their assessment and analysis of observations. |
| Burley, J. Huxley, P.A. Owino, F. | Design, management and assessment of species, provenance and breeding trials of multipurpose trees. |
| Matheson, A.C. Raymond, C.A. | Provenance × environment interaction: its detection, practical importance and use with particular reference to tropical forestry. |
| Nikles, D.G. | Strategies for the incorporation of new provenance material in existing breeding populations of tropical forest trees. |
| Chaperon, H. | Influence of propagation by cuttings on the breeding strategy of forest trees. |
The Conference Proceedings also include four papers prepared as a result of discussions during the Conference itself and a Training Course held prior to it, viz:
| Barnes, R.D. | A multiple population breeding strategy for Zimbabwe. |
| Namkoong, G. | Choice and management of experimental designs. |
| Namkoong, G. | Estimating genetic variance components. |
| Matheson, A.C. | Selection indices: their construction and use. |
The Proceedings provide a useful summary of present knowledge and state of the art of wise utilization of forest genetic resources.
During the Conference some time was set aside for discussion, in small groups, of the problems and questions raised in the Invited Papers, followed by a general discussion in Plenary. This way of working, which allowed full, active participation of all 60 participants present, representing 28 countries, was found rewarding and stimulating. The next meeting of these active Working Parties is planned for 1987, with the venue still to be decided.
(Copies of the Proceedings (662 pp.) are available from: Commonwealth Forestry Institute, South Parks Road, OX1 3RB Oxford, UK. Price: £UK15.00)
