General
Technical
Three World Consultations on Forest Tree Breeding have now been held: the first focused on the principles of forest genetics; the second emphasized the benefits which accrue from tree breeding and the mass production and utilization of improved seed; while the theme of this third consultation was "strategies in forest tree breeding with special reference to the tropics."
During the eight years since the last consultation there has been an increasing awareness that the identification and breeding of superior genotypes must be complemented by measures to reduce gene loss and conserve genetic diversity. As genes and genotypes of little immediate commercial importance may become valuable in the future, the conservation of genetic resources should be considered of paramount importance for tree breeding programmes. Maintaining genetic diversity, either within a species being improved, or by using several species for afforestation programmes, also serves as insurance against unknown risks and may facilitate the breeding of special genotypes for particular sites. The consultation therefore made recommendations covering both the use and the conservation of forest genetic resources.
The recommendations are of two categories: "general" and "technical." General recommendations call primarily for increasing financial resources end staff and for strengthening the collaboration of governmental, international and research organizations. Technical recommendations are directed to individual researchers.
1. The Consultation noted that, in response to a recommendation made at the Second World Consultation, assistance to developing countries in their tree improvement programmes from multilateral and bilateral agencies has increased considerably over the past eight years, but was still less than real needs. In recognition of the importance of such programmes, the Consultation recommended that multilateral and bilateral aid agencies should further continue and expand their assistance in this field. In particular, there is still need for more assistance in the form of specialist advice, training courses and fellowships.
2. The Consultation noted with satisfaction the increased understanding of the role of forest genetic resources conservation as a dynamic component of forest management and forest utilization. It recognized the need for more training in gene resources management and encouraged national organizations and bilateral and multilateral aid agencies to give more emphasis to this subject in existing training programmes, and to organize more short-term regional training courses, particularly in tropical countries.
3. The Consultation warmly welcomed the new international project on Conservation of Forest Genetic Resources (1108-75-05), which is being financially supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and administered by FAO. It noted with approval the action being taken under the project in the establishment of ex situ conservation stands of selected provenances of valuable species, in a variety of environments, and the new opportunities these will offer for the expression of existing genetic diversity, and for the development of new gene combinations in harmony with the new environments. It recommended that UNEP give high priority to the continuation and expansion of this action.
4. The Consultation warmly welcomed the increased activity in the conservation of natural ecosystems throughout the world and recommended that close liaison be maintained between FAO and the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO) (Subject Group S2.02). The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), especially its Man and the Biosphere programme 8, to ensure the provision of professional advice on the selection and management of suitable areas of forest for the conservation and ultimate utilization of their genetic resources.
5. The Consultation noted with satisfaction the continued work of the FAO Panel of Experts on Forest Gene Resources, its preparation, initiation and central direction of the Global Programme for Improved Use of Forest Genetic Resources, and its coordination of the international programmes of exploration and seed collection being carried out by research institutes in various parts of the world. It recommended the strengthening of the central coordinating role of FAO, to make better use of opportunities for the collection and distribution of information and research material needed for effective exploration, conservation and evaluation of genetic resources.
6. The Consultation recognized the great potential value of a coordinated, overall appraisal of internationally replicated provenance trials and that, for this purpose, uniform description of test sites, standardization of traits to be assessed, and uniform methods of measurement are necessary. It recommended that international coordinating organizations issue guidelines for the establishment, management and recording of the trials, and encourage research organizations to work toward achieving such uniformity at least on a regional level. The Consultation also noted the value of periodic visits to all trial sites by experienced international, or regional, assessment officers to facilitate overall appraisal and to assist in the local evaluation of individual trials, and urged concerned organizations to provide the requisite staff and finance for such assessments.
7. The Consultation further recognized that in many countries the planting of trees yields benefits other than wood, for example food and fodder, and environmental and aesthetic benefits in both urban and rural areas. It recommended that governments establish and assess species and provenance trials with such other purposes in mind in order to provide material for further genetic improvement.
8. Noting that provenance trials established in various tropical and subtropical regions have concentrated on introduced species, particularly on conifers and eucalypts, the Consultation urged governments and international organizations to widen the range of species tested to include more studies on the genetic potential of tropical hardwoods and of species for semi-arid regions as identified by the FAO Panel of Experts on Forest Gene Resources. It further encouraged research workers and forest managers to make suggestions on additional species to be included in such studies.
9. Noting that the IUFRO Congress (XVI) recommended that "increased efforts are required to establish international cooperation in breeding for high yield and disease resistance" the Consultation recommended that governmental, regional, international and private organizations intensify their efforts to establish regional and international cooperative breeding programmes for the production of selected or improved seed of individual species of wide importance (e.g., Pinus caribaea in the tropics and Pseudotsuga menziesii in North America and Europe). Such efforts should provide for research and training of personnel to support breeding programmes and, where appropriate, should include seed orchards producing seed for international use. Recognizing the complexity of cooperative breeding programmes and the need to ensure their continuity, the Consultation further urged that they include the provision of full-time managerial staff.
10. The Consultation recognized the dynamic nature of breeding and of gene resources management and noted the susceptibility of long-term tree breeding programmes to the destructive effects of reduced financial support. The Consultation therefore urged governmental and other organizations to provide continued, consistent financial support.
11. Recognizing that research workers and operational foresters require up-to-date information on international provenance trials and breeding programmes, the Consultation recommended that international coordinating organizations refine and adapt computer-based systems for information storage, retrieval and analysis of the requisite data, which would include not only bibliographic material but also original and summary data on trees and sites from individual experiments and projects. The Consultation further urged cooperating institutes and organizations to increase the dissemination of such information for the use of individual workers.
12. The Consultation stressed that effective programmes well suited to the objectives of sponsoring agencies require the guidance of well-defined goals and comprehensive strategies. It recommended that governments and other concerned organizations continually and critically review the goals and breeding strategies of all tree improvement programmes, especially new ones. Increased cooperation between economists and geneticists would aid in such assessments.
13, The Consultation recognized the importance of identifying the origin of plant material, of assuring the repeatability of collections and noted that the trade in plant material is increasing. It recommended that governments and international organizations intensify their efforts to implement certification schemes to guide this trade.
14. The Consultation noted that procedures did not exist for the efficient handling and storage of seed of several economically important forest tree species. Such procedures are required for use in operational forestry, genetic improvement programmes and measures aimed specifically at conservation of gene resources. The problem related to species in most regions of the world but particularly to some important tropical species, which may have a very short period of viability. The Consultation accordingly recommended that bilateral and multilateral finance be provided for strong research programmes aimed at developing the required seed handling and storage procedures, especially for tropical species.
15. Recognizing the great benefits derived from this and previous consultations, the Consultation recommended that a fourth meeting be held within ten years. The time and place should be decided jointly by FAO and IUFRO in the light of any offers to host the meeting which may be received.
1. Recognizing the lack of information on a number of species, the Consultation recommended that more emphasis be placed on obtaining basic information on the reproductive biology of genetically little known, unimportant species, particularly tropical conifers and hardwoods. Emphasis should be placed on physiological research in relation to the difficulties which occur due to the new environmental conditions of planting.
2. The Consultation noted that international provenance trials are commonly assessed for survival, growth and form but recommended that these assessments be supported by phenological observations and laboratory studies on physiological, morphological and biochemical traits and wood quality.
3. The Consultation stressed the need for a better understanding of the physiological factors involved in genotype environment interaction, particularly in relation to sites where factors like cold, drought and nutrient deficiencies are limiting, since increasing use will have to be made of such sites in the future.
4. Recognizing the need for information on the degree of genetic improvement attained from tree improvement programmes, the Consultation recommended that more emphasis be placed on assessing realized gains.
This should be done by comparing products of tree improvement programmes with well-defined commercial checks in experiments with replicated plots large enough to eliminate competitive effects. Non-wood benefits, for example erosion control, should not be neglected in assessing gains.
5. More research should be devoted to the methodology of introducing resistance genes into populations already improved for other characters.
6. In view of the potential of vegetative propagation for research, for the mass production of improved genotypes, and as a tool for conserving the genes of trees which are to be removed, research on this subject should be accelerated. Remarkable results have been obtained with the production of cuttings of conifers such as Picea abies and Pinus radiata, but also of tropical genera such as Eucalyptus, Terminalia and Triplochiton Better understanding of the effects of juvenility and ageing is an essential prerequisite for further advances in vegetative propagation. The Consultation welcomed, therefore, the increasing tempo and promising results of research on tissue and organ culture which were reported.
7. While noting that most analyses of tree improvement programmes have shown favourable economic returns, the Consultation cautioned that the economics of each breeding programme, especially new ones, should be analysed individually. At a minimum, detailed costs should be recorded for each phase of a programme.
8. The Consultation stressed the importance of "widening" economic analysis of tree improvement programmes to include estimates not only of financial but also of net social benefits.
