Hybrid tree provides an important option in NZFriday 11 Oct 2024
Hybrid trees at trial sites in the Mackenzie Country of the South Island, one of several trial sites which were established in 1998 by the Forest Research Institute, are now nearing harvest. The indications about the trees’ growth and wood properties are very positive. 'Pinus radiata tends to be prone to snow damage at high altitude,' says Tree Improvement Manager for the Radiata Pine Breeding Company (RPBC), Mark Paget. 'Radiata pine trees growing at the trial site alongside the hybrid have experienced high attrition rates. However, the hybrid trees are doing very well and traits we measure in pinus radiata, such as stem diameter and wood properties like density and stiffness, show that the hybrid trees are equal to pure radiata on these sites.' Forest owners such as Rayonier Matariki, who have large areas of their forest estate planted on high altitude, snow-prone sites, are showing great interest in the hybrid trial results, says Mark. The closely related radiata pine and attenuata species appear to lend themselves naturally to hybridisation. 'It’s important to note that research into alternative species is a long-term process, as illustrated by this work, which goes back decades. We’re fortunate that industry leaders, such as Proseed’s General Manager Shaf van Ballekom have chosen to collaborate with RPBC and have invested expertise, energy, and funding into research activities such as these over an extended period. The wider industry is now able to benefit from this knowledge and to use it to support informed decision-making.' Based on the encouraging trial results and its ongoing tree breeding actitivites, RPBC and Proseed have now established more hybrid trials using up-to-date, newer, high-productivity radiata parents. 'The signs are very encouraging that the radiata pine/attenuata hybrid is a viable alternative to Douglas fir. Douglas fir has traditionally been the preferred species in areas prone to heavy snow load, such as Southland and Tekapō, where Dothistromo (needle blight) is not prevalent.' Having a wider portfolio of plantation trees at its disposal would be beneficial for the industry, however, it requires long-term planning and support from the industry and Government. More >> Source & image credit: RPBC | ||
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