Forest Improvement

Not applicable

1. Teaching of practical classes;
2. Performance on practical work: 1) on field; 2) laboratory and 3) nursery;
3. In the literature research and analysis of articles and reports on the contents of this course;
4. On carrying out reports and oral presentations related to the issues addressed in this course.
Components to be classified and assessment tools: 1) mini-tests (80%), 2) oral presentation and discussion of papers that assess the learning outcomes related to this course (10%), and 3) practical work evaluation (10%).

The objective of this Course Unit is to provide the student with the following competences.
As a result of the learning process, the student should know:
•The advantages and constraints of forest improvement;
• Factors affecting the genetic population;
• The effect of genetic control (heritability), selection methods and the environment in response to selection;
• The methods and techniques used in forest improvement;
• The introduction of exotic species;
• The management and conservation methods of genetic resources of forest species

To achieve the objectives of this course the process of teaching and learning is based on the following contents:
The improvement and special feature of forest species: forestry vs. agriculture;
Study of variability in forest species – their use on breeding and conservation implications on long-term
improvement;
Quantitative Genetics: quantitative characteristics and forest improvement;
Factors affecting the population genetic and their effect on tree improvement;
The definition of strategy on breeding: breeding cycles; matting systems, progeny tests and early tests;
Introduction of exotic species: success factors and issues;
Global conservation and forest genetic resources management.

• - Written Tests - 80.0%
• - Report and discussion - 10.0%
• - Field and laboratory evaluation - 10.0%

NAO

Commission of Forest Genetic Resources. (2001). Forest Genetic Resources Management and Conservation. France as a case study. INRA, Paris, E. Teissier Cros (ed.)

Collard, B., Jahufer, M., Brouwer, J., & Pang, E. (2005). An introduction to markers, quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping and marker-assisted selection for crop improvement: The basic concepts. Euphytica 142, 169-196.

White, T.L., Adams, W.T., & Neale, D.B. (2007). Forest Genetics. CAB Internacional Oxfordshire

Eriksson, G.; Ekberg, I., & Clapham, D. (2006). An introduction to forest genetics. SLU. http://vaxt.vbsg.slu.se/forgen/, Uppsala.