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IUFRO W.P. S 2.02.11 - Norway spruce breeding and genetic resources
Conference: “Norway spruce in the Conservation of Forest Ecosystems in Europe. The results
of the IUFRO experimental tests, series 1938/38, 1964/68, 1972 and others”
Kraków – Wisła, Beskid Mountains, Poland
September 13-15, 2012
Minutes of the conference
Approximately 50 participants from 15 institutions attended the conference. Regions
cultivating Norway spruce, the South European and the boreal countries were insufficiently
represented.
The members of the Working Party and the local officials commemorated the sudden death of
the late Prof. Janusz Sabor, leader of the Norway spruce group. A plaque commemorating him
was placed in the Carpathian Gene Bank in Istebna.
During the business meeting the delegates discussed the takeover of the vacant leadership
position until the next election. It was unanimously proposed that Dr. Mirko Liesebach
(Germany) should take over the task of Working Party leader. Dr. Gregor Bozic (Slovenia)
remains vice chair.
During the meeting the status of the numerous provenance test initiatives of IUFRO was
evaluated. It was noted that the IUFRO 1964/68 test series needs further evaluation.
The high genetic and phenotypic diversity represented in the international tests and the
investigations of their progeny underscore the value of provenance tests for breeding and
conservation, also for the future. A new important application of the results is the use of the
tests for the field validation of climate change modelling and the development of adaptation
and conservation strategies.
The genetic variability of Norway spruce was studied by means of molecular markers
(isozymes, mtDNA and nuclear DNA markers) over the whole distribution range in Europe,
but also on the regional level, such as in Slovenia, Bosnia, Austria, Slovakia, Poland,
Germany and along elevational transects.
Generally genetic diversity decreases with increasing distance from putative refugia. There
are large differences between colonization routes. Despite intensive management and
supposed undocumented long distance transfer of FRM, genetic differentiation between
populations is relatively low.
For the future it is necessary:
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to establish the link between genetic investigations in the lab, and field trials;
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to formulate recommendations for the forest practice;
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to integrate genetic investigation by means of gene markers in traceability systems;
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to use marker-aided research for breeding purposes;
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to utilize the outcome of the tests to draw attention to the need to further evaluate and
utilize the high level of plasticity found in Norway spruce. Traces of epigenetic effects
need also further classification.
Summary
The conference stated once more that Norway spruce is one of the most versatile species. It is
one of the most important species with high economic importance in wide parts of Europe.
This will also remain so in the near future as environmental conditions are impacted by the
influence of climate change. Therefore further research is necessary. The IUFRO network is
an important platform for cooperation.
As the collection of genetic variation from most of the species range, the Norway spruce
provenance tests represent a valuable resource for biology research and diversity
conservation, especially in improving the sustainability of future forests and reducing the
negative effects of climatic change. However, provenance tests are often insufficiently
maintained and can be irreversibly lost.
The conference pointed out the following fields of research:
(1) The evaluation of the 1964/68 is still incomplete and an overall assessment is missing.
(2) Molecular markers need to be more integrated into traceability systems and in
breeding.
(3) Gene conservation has to focus more on the southern edges of the species where the
loss of genetic information takes place rapidly and will be irreversible.
(4) Scientific results need to be transferred into the forest practice in a more effective way,
i.e., the link between field trials, labs, legislation and recommendations should be
improved.
(5) New approaches to utilize available genetic resources for breeding are essential.
Breeding material of Norway spruce is also essential.
A COST Action would seem to be a promising possibility to address the described open
questions in a complex way.