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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: - to establish the link between genetic investigations in the lab, and field trials; - to formulate recommendations for the forest practice; - to integrate genetic investigation by means of gene markers in traceability systems; - to use marker-aided research for breeding purposes; - 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.