Forest Genetics and Tree Improvement
FOR 6310 - Course Syllabus
WEEK 1
Part 1: Introduction
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Introduction to Genetic Variation and Its Use
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Why study forest genetics and tree improvement?
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Overview of tree improvement programs worldwide
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Genetic vs environmental variation (P=G+E)
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Levels of genetic variation (e.g. among species, among geographic
sources, among stands, among trees)
WEEK 2
Part 2: Genetic Principles
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The Nature and Transmittal of Genetic Material
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Genetic organization in cells (DNA, genes, and chromosomes)
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Transmittal of genetic material (mitosis and meiosis)
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Recombination and mutation
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Mendel's peas and trees (segregation and assortment)
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Non-independence between two genes (linkage and epistasis)
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Genes with multiple effects (pleiotropy)
WEEK 3
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Genes in Populations
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Gene frequencies in populations (Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium)
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Mating systems and genotype frequencies (inbreeding)
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Forces that change gene frequencies (mutation, migration,
selection, and drift)
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Evolution (natural selection and speciation)
WEEK 4
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Quantitative Genetic Principles
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Quantitative traits and types of gene action
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Additive, dominant and epistatic effects of genes (breeding
value)
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Types of genetic variances
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Resemblance between relatives and heritability concepts
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Pleiotropy and genetic correlations
WEEK 5
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Genotype * Environment Interaction
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Environmental influences on genetic expression (P=G+E+GE)
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Concepts of statistical interactions (scale effects vs rank
changes)
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Types of G*E (e.g. species*planting site, clone*fertilizer)
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Experimental designs and analysis for G*E
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Impact of G*E on heritability estimates (Type B correlations)
WEEK 6
Part 3: Tree Improvement
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The Breeding Cycle in Forest Trees
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A conceptual description of how all tree improvement programs
work (principles and steps in common)
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Slash pine tree improvement example (large-scale program)
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Eucalyptus grandis example (smaller scale program)
WEEK 7
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Geographic Variation: Concepts and Application
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Types & causes of geographic variation (races and clines)
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Quantifying geographic variation (experimental designs and
clinal regression analyses)
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Choosing the proper seed source (factors to consider, risk
vs gain, local vs non-local)
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Defining breeding units for tree improvement programs
WEEK 8
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Selecting for Superior Genetic Quality: Concepts and Theory
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Determining genetic values and variances (P=G+E+GE revisited)
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Determining how much of the variation is genetic in origin
(heritability concepts)
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Making progress via selection (genetic gain concepts)
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Selection methods (mass, family, etc)
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Choosing traits for a breeding program
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Selecting for more than one trait (tandem, independent culling
and selection index)
WEEK 9
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Selecting Superior Trees in Natural Stands
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Selecting in even-aged vs uneven-aged stands
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Different techniques (baseline, mother tree, subjective)
WEEK 10
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Producing Genetically-Improved Propagules for Reforestation
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Collecting improved seed from natural stands (seed production
areas and directed seed collections)
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Seedling and clonal seed orchards (concepts and designs)
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Rooted cuttings of families (radiata pine example)
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Clonal forestry (Eucalyptus grandis example)
WEEK 11
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Genetic Testing in Forestry
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Reasons why field tests are planted (progeny testing, etc)
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Mating designs for field tests (open-pollinated, diallels,
polymix, factorials, etc)
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Experimental designs for field tests
WEEK 12
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Infusing New Genes and Hybridization
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Keeping a broad genetic base
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Infusing genes from the same species (new wild selections,
wide crosses, merging breeding units, etc)
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Infusing genes from other species (hybridization)
WEEK 13
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Breeding Strategy Development
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Breeding population size
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Breeding population structure
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Emphasis on elite material
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Slash pine example revisited and compared to loblolly pine
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Eucalyptus grandis example revisited with clonal option
Part 4: Special Topics
WEEK 14
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Forest Health and Disease Resistance
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Concepts of disease resistance
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A case study: Fusiform rust in southern pines
WEEK 15
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Roles of Vegetative Propagation in Tree Improvement Programs
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Types of vegetative propagation
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The clonal option (numbers of clones, mixtures vs pure clonal
blocks)
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C-effects
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Uses of vegetative propagation in tree improvement programs