Effect of Breeding on Income at First Commercial Thinning in Silver Birch Plantations

Abstract

The economic importance of fast-growing tree species like silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) is increasing due to growing demand for timber. Tree breeding provides the opportunity to increase the timber supply and thus ensure the most efficient use of forest land. Application of the results of a breeding program—the planting of young stands—is costly, and information on (potential) early income for the landowner from this investment is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the gain from the use of improved silver birch material at the first commercial thinning. Material was collected from an open-pollinated progeny trial of 524 silver birch plus-trees at the age of 14 years in the central part of Latvia. Incomes from the first thinning were calculated at low and high timber prices. Heritability of growth traits (assessed as diameter at breast height) and timber value at first thinning were similar. Both timber market fluctuations and genetics had a notable impact on economic outcome: the internal rate of return for the selected best-performing families was 9.4% and 8.3% in the case of high and low timber prices, respectively; on average, for all families in the trial the figures were 8.1% and 6.7%, respectively. Results indicate profitability for investments in planting of improved regeneration material, even at a young age, in hemiboreal forests.

Differentially Expressed Conserved Plant Vegetative Phase-Change-Related microRNAs in Mature and Rejuvenated Silver Birch In Vitro Propagated Tissues

“…Mapping of the differentially expressed mature miRNA sequences to the Betula pendula scaffold assembly, vv1.2 scaffolds (University of Helsinki id 35079), identified 55 potential precursor sequences for 35 isomiR groups (20 miRNA families, 623 isomiRs) from a total number of 41 differentially expressed isomiR groups (708 isomiRs) (Supplementary File S4). The most precursors (20) were found for the miR156 family, and only one potential precursor sequence was found for the miR171, miR319, miR408, miR2118, miR3627, miR5368 families. No potential precursors were found for the differentially expressed miR159, miR858, miR3711, miR5077, miR8175 family isomiR groups.…”

“…is widely distributed in northern European boreal forests and is a significant tree species from both ecological and economic aspects. Forest tree breeding programs, producing productive and high-quality improved silver birch reproductive material have been developed in northern European countries [19,20]. Breeding programs can be made more efficient, and the time required for controlled crossings, evaluation and deployment of improved material can be reduced by up to 10-15 years by the clonal reproduction of high-quality genotypes [21].…”

Expression of juvenility related microRNAs and target genes during micropropagation of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.)

“…is one of the most ecologically and economically important tree species in northern boreal forests. Silver birch breeding programs, producing improved reproductive material for planting highly productive and qualitative birch stands have been implemented in many northern European countries (Hynynen et al 2010;Gailis et al 2020). This increases the added value of timber and contributes to ensuring the competitiveness and sustainable development of the forest industry.…”

Differentially Expressed Conserved Plant Vegetative Phase-change Related Micro RNAs as Markers of Juvenility for Silver Birch In Vitro Propagation

“…is one of the most ecologically and economically significant tree species in northern European boreal forests. Forest tree breeding programs, producing highly productive and qualitative improved silver birch reproductive material have been developed in many northern European countries [6,7]. Vegetative reproduction of selected germplasm for use in controlled crosses can shorten the breeding cycle by 10 -15 years [4].…”