Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 3 p.m. in the OFRI lecture pit, 1235 Queen Street East

Speaker: Yill-Sung Park, research scientist, Canadian Forest Service–Canadian Wood Fibre Centre, Fredericton, New Brunswick

Multi-varietal forestry (MVF) is the use of genetically tested tree varieties in plantation forestry while balancing genetic gain and diversity. Two key technologies for implementing MVF in conifers are somatic embryogenesis (SE) and cryopreservation. SE is a tissue-culture technique for producing genetically identical individuals, while cryopreservation is a technique that allows storing embryogenic varieties produced by SE in liquid nitrogen indefinitely without changing genetic makeup or loss of juvenility. These technologies are being used to develop tested high-value tree varieties for operational planting. Due to recent advancement, particularly in spruce and pine species, industrial implementation of MVF has begun in eastern Canada (and around the world) in connection with regional tree improvement programs.

Full details below...

During this presentation, the speaker will discuss the MVF strategy, including technical requirements for SE, maximization of genetic gain, integration with tree improvement programs, and management of plantation diversity. Relevant data from clonally replicated genetic tests will also be presented to illustrate the benefits of MVF. He will also talk about the National Network of Somatic Embryogenesis Laboratories, which was launched in 2006 as a part of the new Canadian Forest Service-Canadian Wood Fibre Centre program to help implement MVF.

No reservations are required for this event. If you are coming from another location, plan to arrive at least five minutes before the seminar begins to sign in at the reception desk and obtain a visitor pass.

Most OFRI seminars are eligible for continuing education credits through the Canadian Institute of Forestry and the Ontario Professional Foresters Association.

For more information about this seminar or about OFRI, contact Abby Obenchain at OFRI, (705)946-7422, abigail.obenchain@ontario.ca.

This presentation is sponsored by OFRI (Forest Research and Development Section, Applied Research and Development Branch, Science and Information Resources Division, MNR).

For more about OFRI, visit our website at ofri.mnr.gov.on.ca