Clonal forestry - A view to the future.

  • A.R. Pfeifer Forest Service, Research Branch, Bray, Co. Wicklow.
Keywords: Genetics, cloning, clonal forestry, vegetative propagation, clonal varieties, growth rate, rooting, mist propagation.

Abstract

The term clone can be defined as "genetically uniform material derived from a single individual and propagated exclusively by vegetative means" (Hartmann et. al. 1975). While clones may appear to be artificial they in fact do exist in nature. Many herbaceous species that reproduce by bulbs, rhizomes and runners form clones. Clonal varieties of food and ornamental crops have been used in agriculture and horticulture for centuries and today form a significant proportion of all varieties available to farmers and nurserymen. The success of these varieties lies, not only in the characteristics of the products they produce but also, in the ease with which they can be propagated. By contrast, clonal varieties of forest trees have, with a few notable exceptions proven difficult to develop. The main reason being that vegetative propagation, through the rooting of cuttings from mature trees, is problematic and has not presented foresters with the opportunity to develop clonal varieties for specific sites or end uses...
Published
1988-11-01
How to Cite
Pfeifer, A. (1988) “Clonal forestry - A view to the future.”, Irish Forestry. Available at: https://journal.societyofirishforesters.ie/index.php/forestry/article/view/9638 (Accessed: 28March2024).
Section
Articles