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Project Code [GENESIS]
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Project title
Genomic evaluation for the sustainable Improvement of Sitka spruce
Primary Funding Agency
Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine
Co-Funding Organisation(s)
n/a
Lead Organisation
Teagasc
Project Abstract
Tree breeding enabling the selection of faster growing trees with desirable traits has the potential to increase productivity and increase the output of sawn timber for the forestry sector in Ireland. However it is a long term process taking many years to test and produce improved material. This proposal will (i) develop and evaluate a genomics platform to accelerate, improve decision making, and increase efficiencies in the Irish tree breeding programme, and (ii) generate important phenotypes for traits not previously evaluated in the Irish tree breeding programme. This will deliver increased value and competitiveness to the wood processing sector while ensuring the resilience of the forest resource. The proposed research involves development of a novel and cost effective genotyping platform (GenoSpruce) that will be available to the Irish Sitka spruce tree improvement programme (ISSTIP) to be utilised for DNA fingerprinting, characterisation of genetic diversity, evaluating efficiency of seed orchards and within-family genomic selection. We will also make use of emerging genomic resources (SNP Chip) to characterise advanced material in the Irish Sitka Spruce Tree Improvement Programme (ISSTIP) with genome-wide markers, and evaluate using �diversity index breeding� to make better crossing decisions within the ISSTIP. We will collect new phenotype data (tree form, wood quality, and acoustic properties) on advanced material within the ISSTIP and combine it with the genotype data for cross selection. Finally we aim to evaluate the breeding population for new resilience traits to determine whether the current population would benefit from the inclusion of additional material more resilient to climate change and biotic risk. The project will bring together commercial and academic researchers with complementary expertise to deliver a package of work that will add significant value to the ISSTIP.
Grant Approved
�597,100.00
Research Theme
Ireland's Future Climate, its Impacts, and Adaptation Options
Initial Projected Completion Date
31/05/2022