Role of genetic improvement in the Short Rotation Woody Crops Program

Conference · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6031212

Layton, P A; Wright, L L

A major effort in the Short Rotation Woody Crops Program (SRWCP) is species screening and genetic improvement of selected species. Of the 125 species initially evaluated for SRIC, 20 are being seriously considered with most of emphasis on 16 hardwood species. Range-wide seed collections of 12 species were provenance tested; these include Platanus occidentalis (sycamore), Alnus glutinosa (European black alder), and Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust). Based on the results of these tests, highly productive, site-specific seed sources are being chosen for several geographic regions. Three of these species re currently being bred for increased productivity in SRIC systems. Genetic improvement is viewed as a tool for increasing productivity, having anticipated gains of 40 to 50%. The techniques of somaclonal screening and genetic engineering are being evaluated for their usefulness in the SRIC improvement program. Currently, salt-tolerant Atriplex canescens (four-wing saltbush) and herbicide-resistant Populus spp. are being sought via somaclonal screening. 35 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6031212
• Report Number(s): CONF-860405-1; ON: DE86008541
• Resource Relation: Conference: 10. annual symposium on energy from biomass and wastes, Washington, DC, USA, 7 Apr 1986
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
HONEYLOCUST TREES
GENETIC VARIABILITY
SHORT ROTATION CULTIVATION
SYCAMORES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GENETIC ENGINEERING
PLANT BREEDING
VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION
BIOLOGICAL VARIABILITY
CLONING
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
DATA
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
PLANTS
TREES
140504* - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production & Conversion- (-1989)