Breeding radiata pine - historical overview

Authors: Rowland D. Burdon
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2007, Issue N.Z.J.For. 52(4) 2008, pp 4-6, Jan 2008
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: Genetic improvement has been one of the key planks of domesticating radiata pine. With the intensive plantation forestry that has been developed here, and the scale on which it has been planted as an exotic, radiata pine has become one of the most domesticated of all forest tree species. This historical review of the radiata pine breeding programme in New Zealand doubtless gives a personal viewpoint, but is intended as a backdrop for other articles in this issue of the Journal. Quite remarkable was the degree to which radiata pine was the preferred species and yet posed obvious need and scope for genetic improvement. A high incidence of poor tree form, and certain adaptational problems, especially in the large pumiceland forests, proclaimed a need for genetic improvement. At the same time, patterns of tree-to-tree variation, especially in branching and stem straightness, strongly suggested the genetic variation that could be exploited by selective breeding. And the rapid growth and comparatively short rotations made breeding especially attractive.

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