The Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program (CFGRP), founded in 1953, includes the University of Florida, IFAS, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, forest industrial and state agencies as cooperators.  Our mission is to develop genetically-improved varieties of southern pines for the reforestation of harvested timberlands in the lower coastal plain of the southern United States.  We also provide technical assistance, research support and educational resources needed to make sound genetic decisions for management of  timberlands in this region.  Through faster growth and greater disease resistance, new improved varieties yield 15-35% more usable wood at harvest than unimproved varieties which were previously planted.
 
 
 
 

In the CFGRP, the University of Florida personnel provides strategic planning, technical support, supportive research, and data analysis.   Each cooperator helps direct research, establishes, maintains and measures genetics tests and conducts breeding on their timberlands.  This type of  cooperative effort benefits both the University of Florida scientists and cooperators through: 1) leveraging funding; 2) sustaining long-term research; 3) improving technology transfer between the University of Florida scientists and cooperators; and 4) fostering research cooperation.
 
 
 
 
 

Our research focus changes and evolves  to meet the needs of each cooperator and to take advantage of new technology.  In the early years, most research was applied in nature and aimed at problems with direct bearing on implementation of a tree improvement program.  For example, flowering biology for breeding, improved grafting techniques, and genetic control of important traits ( i.e., growth and disease resistance).  Today, research emphases are broader and include quantitative, physiological and stand-level genetics.