Abstract:

Reforestation logistics and forest nursery management depends on the physiological status of the trees. Lifting and cold storage of insufficiently hardened trees leads to reduced vitality, frost damage and desiccation. Identification of molecular processes underlying winter hardiness will allow for the development of rapid and reliable tools to determine seedling condition. The powerful cDNA microarray technology will be employed to analyse gene expression patterns in economically and ecologically important forest tree species, in combination with physiological and morphological screening. This multidisciplinary approach will result in a detailed picture of molecular events involved in the onset and release of dormancy and hardiness. Genes with a strong predictive value will be selected for future implementation in molecular hardiness tests that will aid improvements in forestation planning and forest tree nursery management.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Monique VAN WORDRAGEN / Agrotechnology and Food Innovations NETHERLANDS

EC Scientific Officer

• Alexandros ARABATZIS / European Commission DG Research Theme 1 Key Action 5.3 / BELGIUM

Participant

• James HEPBURNE SCOTT / Alba Trees plc UNITED KINGDOM
• Eva STATTIN / Dalama University SWEDEN
• Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences DENMARK
• Bill MASON / Forestry Commission Research Agency Northern Research Station / UNITED KINGDOM
• Bent KARLSSON / Hedeselskabets Planteskole DENMARK
• Plant Research International NETHERLANDS
• Bernard KUNNEMAN / Research Station for Nursery Stock NETHERLANDS