3.5.2022

Physiological traits in forest genetics and tree breeding

Ing. Jan Stejskal, Ph.D.

 (Department of Genetics and Physiology of Forest Trees, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague)

Link to the seminar: meet.google.com/pjn-toih-nrj

In the management of forest tree improvement programs worldwide, physiological traits have often been neglected in favor of production traits. Recent development and accessibility of physiological measurements enabled their incorporation in tree breeding. The major advantage lies within the indirect and non-destructive nature of many methods. Thus, we can utilize several indirect proxies of a tree’s physiological status. For example, variable chlorophyll-a fluorescence allows early stress detection (induced by drought or toxicity). On the other hand, hyperspectral reflectance has become a proxy of growth and adaptation potential, crucial in changing climate.