Progress in the genetic improvement for some main commercial planting tree species in Vietnam

Research Centre for Forest Tree Improvement, FSIV

SUMMARY

FSIV has a long running program of genetic improvement for some of the principle plantation species to select the best genetic material for high productivity and wood quality for the various wood and non-wood forest products. FSIV has also been developing mass-propagation techniques to assist in the technological transfer of the genetically improved planting material to commercial plantations while maintaining diversified breeding populations for the main plantation species for long term genetic improvement.

Main research activities are focussed on:

1.
Selection of the best performing clones of hybrid or pure species for use in commercial plantations.

2.
Further hybridization to integrated fast growth and wood quality and produce new varieties.

3.
Establishment of advanced breeding populations and seed orchards, while maintaining genetic diversity, to produce genetically improved seed for new plantations.

4.
Developing and refining vegetative propagation technologies (cutting, tissue culture) for the release of new germplasm for commercial application, and

5.
Application of molecular markers to evaluate genetic diversity and mating pattern in the breeding populations and seed orchards to monitor breeding programs.

Principle results to date:

1.
Release
of 19 newly selected clones of Acacia
auriculiformis and Eucalyptus
camaldulensis showing fast growth and desirable wood quality properties for commercial planting in the Central, Central Highlands and South Regions.

2.
Transformation
of 10 progeny/clonal trials to national seed orchards to supply genetically
improved seed for commercial planting.

3.
Testing
of 140 hybrid combinations of Eucalyptus,
Acacia and Pinus merkusii across different
ecological zones .

4.
Selections
of promising combinations of Eucalyptus hybrid were
identified and clonally tested.

5.
Establishment
of 10 ha of second generation seedling seed orchards and 6 ha of clone banks of
Eucalyptus and Acacia using genetic material from about 1200 plus trees using 700
individual seedlots and propagation of 650 clonal lines.

6.
Publication
of 8 technical guidelines and protocols for the vegetative propagation of Eucalyptus and Acacia clones using cutting and tissue culture techniques.

7.
Publication of 16 articles in international and Vietnamese scientific journals based on theses of 3 Doctoral and 16 Masters graduates.

The ongoing genetics and tree improvement program is contributing to improved forest productivity and plantation quality in Vietnam.
This will continue the sustainable development of forest management in Vietnam.

Keywords: Genetic improvement, Main commercial planting tree species.