Applications of biotechnology for forest regeneration

The Forest Biotechnology Centre is an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to the development and application of advanced technology for the enhancement of forest regeneration. The Centre carries out contracts on behalf of clients in forest-related industries and government agencies. In addition, there are a number of long-term, in-house projects aimed at the development of proprietary technologies in genetics and propagation, and seedling production and establishment. Technical capabilities include: tissue culture, molecular genetics, pathology and microbial inoculants, and ecophysiology. These techniques are also being used to improve nursery culture regimes, disease assessment, planting regimes, and new product development for a variety of conifer species. Additional programs relate population genetics to adaptive traits, and develop clonal testing within elite families from tree-breeding programs.