AIR3-CT94-2091 European Network for the Evaluation of the Genetic Resources of Beech for Appropriate Use in Sustainable Forestry Management

Contacts




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AIR Cluster IX - Forestry : Forestry : Wood (Lignocellulose)

	Contract No	AIR3-CT94-2091
	Total Cost	372 000
	EC Contribution	299 000
	Start Date	01/10/1994
	Duration	36 months

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OBJECTIVE:

The objective is to collect genetic resources of beech in the form of provenances from the whole area of distribution of this species and grow these provenances in a set of 21 field trials at the different places in 17 countries where beech occurs in Europe.

The concerted action is concerned with the coordination of the activities including the exchange of the germplasm in form of seeds and plants. The establishment of the field trials, their maintenance, and the measurements of the plants on the field trials is nationally funded, while the preparation of the protocols of the trials, the establishment of a database, and the exchange of data is subject of the concerted action.

The field trials give the basis for a large number of studies related to the genetic architecture of the whole species of beech. The studies planned cover the following fields: growth potential in different environments, adaptability to different environments, inventory of the genetic resources of beech and the variation between genotypes and provenances in economic and ecologically important characters. The investigations give information on the selection of suitable genotypes and provenances and thus contribute to the reduction of production costs while ensuring environmental benefits of forest ecosystems.

A collection of beech seed samples has been carried out in the years 1990-92 and seedlings raised 1993-94. The seedlings of this collection will be used to establish 21 field trials in the frame of the concerted action. However, because some regions are not well represented in the collection 1990-92, another collection has been initiated beginning in 1993. This collection will be continued 1994 and 1995 in the frame of the concerted action.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Hans-J MUHS / Bundesforschungsanstalt fuer Forst- und Holzwitschaft GERMANY