Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
Content archived on 2024-04-30

Genetic improvement of wood quality : increasing selection efficiency for different end uses

Objective

Tree breeding can tailor the wood properties of any given species to meet the requirements of processing industries. The aim of this project is to increase the efficiency with which tree breeders can select genotypes of economic value to foresters and wood users.

This will be done by: influence the yield and quality of end products; - identifying molecular markers for a subset of- these properties, for use in marker-assisted selection; - determining economic weights for wood and utilisation properties, for use in selection indices. Heritabilities of wood and utilisation properties, and the genetic correlations between them, will be determined in four species: Pinus pinaster (maritime pine), Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine), Picea abies (Norway spruce) and Eucalyptus globules. Genetic tests of an appropriate structure and age are available for the study. Destructive sampling will provide discs and logs for the assessment of wood density, fibre dimensions, chemical composition, solid wood properties (strength and durability) and pulping characteristics (chemical and mechanical). Linkage analysis and QTL mapping will be used to identify molecular markers for wood properties in Pinus pinaster. Bulk segregant analysis and selective genotyping will be used to identify markers in Picea abies. A 'candidate gene' approach will be used to elucidate the biological significance of detected qtls. The method of desired gain and the RESI computer programme will be used to estimate economic weights and determine index coefficients for use in Smith-Hazel selection indices. Selection indices of value for pulp and paper production will be constructed for all species. Selection indices of value for sawnwood production will be constructed for Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies. This project is expected to give an internal rate of return of 10-12% if its findings are implemented on 5% of the current EU reforestation area. The higher rate of return would be achieved by using marker-assisted selection to identify genotypes with desirable wood properties.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

Data not available

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

University Wales - Bangor
EU contribution
No data
Address
UNIVERSITY OF WALES
LL57 2UW BANGOR
United Kingdom

See on map

Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

No data

Participants (2)

My booklet 0 0