Characteristics of future radiata pine achievable by breeding

Summary

Improvements already achieved in some characteristics of radiata pine as a result of seed orchards are described and are shown to represent only the first stage of progress in continuing breeding programs which will become more complex with time. Attention is being given to widening the gene base of the breeding population to include useful genes from provenances not represented in the Australian plantations. Cuttings provide an alternative method of growing improved trees, and can provide more improvement than the first generation of seed orchards. Cuttings are particularly appropriate for use in agroforestry.