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Forests
Special Issues
Forest Tree Breeding, Testing, and Selection
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Forest Tree Breeding, Testing, and Selection

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Genetics and Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 4691

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Kyu Suk Kang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Bioresources, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Interests: forest genetics; tree breeding; tree genomics; seed orchard genetics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jaroslav Klapste

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Tree Breeding Australia, 39 Helen Street, Mount Gambier, SA 5290, Australia
Interests: forest tree breeding; quantitative genetics; genomic selection
Dr. Eduardo Pablo Cappa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto de Recursos Biológicos, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Hurlingham, Argentina
Interests: forest tree breeding; quantitative genetics; genomic selection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forest tree breeding programs include the development of selection criteria, economic objective traits, and the prediction of genetic values and gain, as key aspects of tree breeding for both economically important traits and adaptability to climatic change. As such programs have entered advanced generations of breeding cycles, and genotyping platforms have become well established and affordable, this field is also concerned with the improvement of progeny testing methodology under the implementation of large datasets with complex pedigrees and genomic information. Forest tree breeding is different from animal breeding as genotypes can be cloned, can have many tested genotypes per family, are tested in designed field trials, and their age to final harvest and time to sexual maturity can be substantially greater than the selection age. Additionally, indirect selection is usually practiced, as while early individual tree performance is measured, the objective trait for growth should be stand volume across multiple harvests, or often mixed genotype stands. Genotype–environment interaction is one the most serious issues in forest tree breeding, and the current rate of climate change places an even greater emphasis on this issue. Additionally, forest tree breeding inevitably increases inbreeding as the programs progress, which in turn reduces genetic diversity and promotes the occurrence of inbreeding depression. Therefore, careful selection and mate allocation has to be carried out to balance gain against these detrimental consequences of increased inbreeding.

The Special Issue on “Forest Tree Breeding, Testing, and Selection” seeks contributions that advance our understanding of and methodologies for forest tree breeding. We welcome research on the development of selection criteria and economic objective traits, genetic value prediction, and progeny testing methodologies. Studies addressing genotype–environment interactions, especially in the context of climate change, and the impact of inbreeding on genetic diversity, are highly encouraged. Additionally, we invite papers on clonal propagation, field trials, and the integration of genomic data into breeding programs. This Special Issue aims to combine traditional breeding methods with modern innovations to promote resilient and productive forest ecosystems.

Prof. Dr. Kyu Suk Kang
Dr. Jaroslav Klapste
Dr. Eduardo Pablo Cappa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • quantitative genetics
  • genomic selection
  • genotyping by sequencing
  • progeny test
  • provenance test
  • plus-tree selection
  • seed orchard
  • G–E interaction

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 2751 KiB  
Article
Stage- and Tissue-Specific Expression of MET1 and CMT2 Genes During Germination in Abies koreana E.H.Wilson
by Sun-cheon Hong, Koeun Jeon and Kyu-suk Kang
Forests 2025, 16(2), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020337 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 463
Abstract
Abies koreana E.H.Wilson (Korean fir), an endangered high-altitude conifer native to South Korea, is facing severe population decline due to climate change and low germination rates. While ecological factors have been studied, the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying its seed development are still [...] Read more.
Abies koreana E.H.Wilson (Korean fir), an endangered high-altitude conifer native to South Korea, is facing severe population decline due to climate change and low germination rates. While ecological factors have been studied, the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms underlying its seed development are still poorly understood. DNA methylation, regulated by MET1 and CMT2, plays a critical role in the stability of gene expression during seed development. This study investigates the expression patterns of MET1 and CMT2 across 12 developmental stages, from pre-germination to post-germination, with a focus on shoot and root tissues. RNA-seq data were analyzed to identify MET1 and CMT2, and expression patterns were validated using RT-qPCR. MET1 showed high sequence conservation with conifers such as Pinus sylvestris, indicating potential conservation of CG methylation mechanisms among conifer species. CMT2 showed lower sequence conservation across species, indicating reduced evolutionary conservation compared to MET1. Tissue-specific analysis showed MET1 being predominantly active in shoots during cotyledon development, while CMT2 was upregulated in roots at later stages. These findings highlight the dynamic and tissue-specific roles of DNA methylation in the seed development of A. koreana, contributing to a better understanding of the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved in its germination and early growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Tree Breeding, Testing, and Selection)
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15 pages, 2335 KiB  
Article
Genetic Diversity and Structure of Higher-Resin Trees of Pinus oocarpa Schiede in Mexico: Implications for Genetic Improvement
by Miguel Ángel Vallejo-Reyna, Mario Valerio Velasco-García, Viridiana Aguilera-Martínez, Hilda Méndez-Sánchez, Liliana Muñoz-Gutiérrez, Martín Gómez-Cárdenas and Adán Hernández-Hernández
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2250; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122250 - 21 Dec 2024
Viewed by 741
Abstract
Pinus oocarpa Schiede is the most widely distributed conifer in the Americas. In Mexico, it inhabits diverse environments and is the primary pine species utilized for resin production, prompting the establishment of a genetic improvement program (GIP). Preserving a broad genetic diversity is [...] Read more.
Pinus oocarpa Schiede is the most widely distributed conifer in the Americas. In Mexico, it inhabits diverse environments and is the primary pine species utilized for resin production, prompting the establishment of a genetic improvement program (GIP). Preserving a broad genetic diversity is fundamental to the success of the GIP. This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and structure of trees selected for their high resin yield. A total of 146 trees from 15 provenances within three populations (MX-MIC, MX-MEX, and MX-OAX) constituting the selection population of the GIP were evaluated. Five SSR microsatellite markers (PtTX3013, NZPR1078, PtTX2146, PtTX3107, and PtTX3034) were used to determine key indicators of genetic diversity and structure. All three populations exhibited high genetic diversity; however, the heterozygosity observed was lower than the expected heterozygosity. Genetic structure analysis revealed the presence of two distinct genetic groups: the Transverse Volcanic Axis (MX-MIC and MX-MEX) and the Sierra Madre del Sur (MX-OAX). Most of the genetic diversity (87.42%) was found within provenances. Gene flow was high among provenances within the same genetic group but limited between provenances from different groups. The findings suggest that GIPs should be tailored to each genetic region, with a focus on within-provenance selection to maintain genetic diversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Tree Breeding, Testing, and Selection)
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12 pages, 3807 KiB  
Article
A Method for Genetic Transformation Using Embryonic Callus of Pinus koraiensis
by Hui Hou, Yanan Wu, Ling Yang, Hao Dong, Wenna Zhao, Hailong Shen, Hanguo Zhang and Shujuan Li
Forests 2024, 15(12), 2058; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15122058 - 21 Nov 2024
Viewed by 776
Abstract
Pinus koraiensis is classified as a second-class protected wild plant in China, recognized for its considerable economic and ecological importance. However, progress in functional research and breeding applications for this species has been hindered by the lack of an effective genetic transformation system. [...] Read more.
Pinus koraiensis is classified as a second-class protected wild plant in China, recognized for its considerable economic and ecological importance. However, progress in functional research and breeding applications for this species has been hindered by the lack of an effective genetic transformation system. The purpose of this study was to develop a reliable and efficient genetic transformation system for a Pinus koraiensis embryonic callus using somatic embryogenesis technology. The Pinus koraiensis embryonic callus and β-glucuronidase (GUS) were employed as the reporter gene in an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation to investigate critical transformation factors, including antibiotic type and concentration, Agrobacterium bacterial solution concentration, infiltration, and co-cultivation times. The findings indicated that the proliferation of the Pinus koraiensis embryonic callus was substantially inhibited by 10 mg·L−1 of Hygromycin (Hyg), and a remarkable 93.42 ± 2.13% efficiency was achieved with an OD600 absorbance value of 0.6 during transformation. Two days of optimal co-cultivation yielded a transformation rate of 82.61%, with the resistant embryonic callus exhibiting a high GUS staining rate of 88.89%. Resistant somatic embryos were effectively obtained following the optimized protocol. This research contributes to the advancement of seed resource breeding and genetic enhancement for Pinus koraiensis, establishing a solid foundation for the investigation of gene functions specific to this species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Tree Breeding, Testing, and Selection)
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17 pages, 4646 KiB  
Article
Screening and Site Adaptability Evaluation of Qi-Nan Clones (Aquilaria sinensis) in Southern China
by Houzhen Hu, Daping Xu, Xiaofei Li, Xiaoying Fang, Zhiyi Cui, Xiaojin Liu, Jian Hao, Yu Su and Zhou Hong
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1753; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101753 - 5 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1003
Abstract
In recent years, plantations of Aquilaria sinensis in China have been dominated by Qi-nan, yet there remains limited research on the growth evaluation and breeding of these clones. In this study, a multi-point joint variance analysis, an additive main effect and multiplicative interaction [...] Read more.
In recent years, plantations of Aquilaria sinensis in China have been dominated by Qi-nan, yet there remains limited research on the growth evaluation and breeding of these clones. In this study, a multi-point joint variance analysis, an additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model, a weighted average of absolute scores (WAASB) stability index, and a genotype main effect plus a genotype-by-environment interaction (GGE) biplot were used to comprehensively analyze the yield, stability, and suitable environment of 25 3-year-old Qi-Nan clones from five sites in southern China. The results showed that all the growth traits exhibited significant differences in the clones, test sites, and interactions between the clones and test sites. The phenotypic variation coefficient (PCV) and genetic variation coefficient (GCV) of the clones’ growth traits at the different sites ranged from 16.56% to 32.09% and 5.24% to 27.06%, respectively, showing moderate variation. The medium–high repeatability (R) of tree height and ground diameter ranged from 0.50 to 0.96 and 0.69 to 0.98, respectively. Among the clones, Clones G04, G05, G10, G11 and G13 showed good growth performance and could be good candidates for breeding. Environmental effects were found to be the primary source of variation, with temperature and light primarily affecting growth, while rainfall influenced survival and preservation rates. Yangjiang (YJ) was found to be the most suitable experimental site for screening high-yield and stable clones across the different sites, whereas the tree height and ground diameter at the Chengmai (CM) site were significantly higher than at the other sites, and the Pingxiang (PX) and Zhangzhou (ZZ) sites showed poor growth performance. The findings suggest that Qi-nan clones are suitable for planting in southern China. There were also abundant genetic variations in germplasm resources for the Qi-nan clones. The five selected clones could be suitable for extensive planting. Therefore, large-scale testing is necessary for determining genetic improvements in Qi-nan clones, which will be conducive to the precise localization of their promotion areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Tree Breeding, Testing, and Selection)
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15 pages, 2667 KiB  
Article
Progeny Selection and Genetic Diversity in a Pinus taeda Clonal Seed Orchard
by Diego Torres-Dini, Alexandre Magno Sebbenn, Ananda Virginia de Aguiar, Ana Vargas, Cecilia Rachid-Casnati and Fernando Resquín
Forests 2024, 15(10), 1682; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101682 - 24 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1213
Abstract
The present article describes the development of an improved Pinus taeda clonal seed orchard adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of Uruguay. Initially, 2068 hectares distributed in nine companies were prospected, and 124 plus trees were identified based on growth, straightness, and health traits. [...] Read more.
The present article describes the development of an improved Pinus taeda clonal seed orchard adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of Uruguay. Initially, 2068 hectares distributed in nine companies were prospected, and 124 plus trees were identified based on growth, straightness, and health traits. These trees were clonally propagated via grafting to establish a clonal seed orchard. For the genetic evaluation of the orchard, two progeny tests were carried out in the Rivera and Paysandú municipalities. Quantitative genetic analyses allowed us to identify a simple genotype–environment interaction and an expected genetic gain for volumes of 17%, 13%, and 8% for selection intensities of 12%, 25%, and 50%, respectively. Moreover, the genetic diversity of the 124 clones of the orchard was assessed using 10 microsatellite markers. The fingerprinting profiles allowed us to identify a total of 224 alleles. The polymorphism information content of the different markers was in the range of 0.594 to 0.895. The combined probability of identity and probability of identity among siblings had a discrimination power of 8.26 × 10–14 and 5.91 × 10–5, respectively. Analysis of the genetic structure demonstrated that the seed orchard population was not structured by the supplier. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Tree Breeding, Testing, and Selection)
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