I- l vU

members

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council

Scientific Sector Dr. John Spence, Dr. Bruce Dancik,

Dr. Ken MaLlett

Biological Sector: Dr. Chris Shank

Industry Sector: Mr. Robert Udell, Dr. Sally John,

Mr. J.P. Bielech, Dr. Barb Thomas,

Mr. Bruce Macmillan

Government Sector: Mr. Doug Sklar, Dr. Narinder Dhir,

Mr. Neil Barker

Chair: Mr. Cliff Smith

For further information, or to request additional copies of this
report, please contact:

Phone: (780) 449-5626 Fax (780) 449-5626

Web Site: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/forests/fmd/genetics/

E-mail: afgrc@shaw.ca

ISBN (Printed Edition) ISBN No. 0-7785-2928-2

ISBN (On-line Edition) ISBN No. 0-7785-2929-0

Editorial/production management:

MediaMatch West Communications Inc.

Photos courtesy of:

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.,

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development,

MediaMatch West Communications Inc.

table of # #

contents

Message from the Minister i

Message from the Chair ii

Forest Genetics in Alberta 1

Tree Improvement Programs 2

Tree Improvement Standards 3

Benchmarking Forest Genetic Programs 4

Forest Gene Resources Conservation 5

Climate Change and Genetic Resources 6

Research and Trials 8

• University of Alberta

• Alberta Tree Improvement & Seed Centre

• Canadian Forest Service

• Industry Initiatives

message

from the

minister

I am pleased to release the Alberta Forest Genetic Resources
Council (AFGRC) Annual Report for 2002-2003.

This past year marked a significant step forward for the
Council with the development of the draft manual entitled
Standards for Tree Improvement in Alberta. With final approval
by the government early in the next fiscal year, there will be a
formalized and organized framework available for the pLanting
of improved native species and regular wild tree stock on
Crown land. The manual will provide government and industrial
forest managers with a vital tool for enhancing the sustainable
management of Alberta's forest resources.

Looking forward, the AFGRC continues to examine the
possibility of planting non-native species on Crown land.

This emerging issue offers significant potential to improve
productivity on the landscape and will be a valuabLe
management tool for industry. The AFGRC is working to ensure
questions and risk assessments relating to forest health,
biodiversity and ecosystem integrity are addressed and
completed prior to any decision on large-scale planting.

In keeping with its commitment to improve communications
within the scientific community, AFGRC is seeking to
strengthen ties with the Alberta Forest Research Institute. By
forging a strong working relationship, the two bodies will be
able to take advantage of the natural synergies created and
promote a broader range of research projects.

I look forward to receiving continued advice from the AFGRC
and wish them every success in the coming year.

/W.

Honorable Mike Cardinal

Minister of Sustainable Resource Development

MLA, Athabasca/Wabasca Constituency

The Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council marked its third
anniversary at the conclusion of the 2002-03 fiscal year, a
year during which Council found itself immersed in a number
of continuing policy initiatives and issues.

message

from the

chair

The completion of the Alberta Forest Genetic
Framework was unquestionably the major
highlight of the year. Many Council members
were directly involved in its development.
Throughout the process. Council provided
support and recommendations to the various task
groups charged with this major groundbreaking
initiative. At the completion of the process. Council
reviewed the final product and provided its endorsement
and recommendations to the Government of Alberta for
review by the Standing Policy Committee responsible for
Energy and Sustainable Development. The final product,
entitled "Standards for Tree Improvement in Alberta ," is
scheduled for approval by the Alberta Cabinet early in the
next fiscal year. Undoubtedly Council will continue its
involvement in an advisory capacity as the framework's
policies are implemented and as they continue to evolve
through the years.

The debate over the ecological and biodiversity impacts of
using non-native trees in reforestation continued to spark
considerable interest and discussion at Council meetings
throughout the year. A paper produced by the Alberta
Research Council for the Department of Sustainable Resource
Development provided the basis for discussion. The initial
draft of the paper underwent substantive revision based in
part on the suggestions of Council, and was undergoing a
final peer review prior to Council resolving its final position
with respect to the review, expected early in the next year.

©

AFGRC has taken a lead role in developing a national
initiative for the benchmarking of Forest Genetic Resources
programs. A recently-modified proposal has achieved support
in principle by a number of jurisdictions and individuals
across Canada. Work will continue on this exciting
development.

Council continued to provide guidance on a number of
standing policy reviews, including Council's position
regarding the use of genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) in forestry, conservation of Alberta's forest genetic
resources, and the Alberta Forestry Research Institute. With
regard to this latter initiative, the chair participated in two
developmental workshops to help set the strategic direction
for the new institute. These policies, because of their
dynamic nature, will require regular and ongoing attention
by Council.

The past year has been a most difficult one for the forest
industry and for resource departments in governments,
because of significant downturns in forest product markets,
exacerbated by the softwood lumber trade dispute with
the U.S. This situation underscores the need for rapidly-
evolving tree improvement and genetic resource conservation
programs that will help ensure the survival and prosperity
of the forest sector. The Alberta Forest Genetic Resources
Council has an important role to play in ensuring the delivery
of these important programs.

Cliff Smith,
Chair, AFGRC

The forest genetics and tree improvement program in
Alberta was started in 1975 by the provincial government in
cooperation with the forest industry. This was done shortly
after a forest genetics research and advanced studies program
was established at the University of Alberta in 1974. Close
cooperation and working relationships have existed between
the two programs, which have complementary strengths and
synergies.

Alberta's program is perhaps unique, as it was started at a
time when the provincial forest harvest levels and annual
reforestation programs were relatively small and surplus
unallocated wood volumes were widely available throughout
the province. The program was conceived as an investment for
the future to develop and sustain a strong and vibrant forest
products industry, which was expected to require increasing
timber harvest from provincial Crown lands on a sustainable
basis. The program required large initial investment in
scientific infrastructure, manpower resources and operational
needs. This was helped substantially by a grant from the
Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, which in the late 1970s
supported projects with potential to strengthen and diversify
the provincial economy into the renewable resources sector.

Now into its 27th year of operations, a strong and a very well
developed program is in place. It is yielding an economic
payoff through increased growth, timber quality and climatic/
pest hardiness of the future forest. It is also making significant

contributions to the conservation of heritage forest genetic
resources, scientific research and environment protection.
Throughout its development and brief history, the program has
faced many challenges and has adapted to changing industrial
and societal demands. These included shifting objectives from
primarily growth-and-yield enhancement to integrated genetic
resources management. The focus today is on forest health,
genetic diversity, genetic gain and gene pool conservation
issues. The background context is provided by government
reducing its direct role in program development and delivery in
favor of cooperative activity with industry and other scientific
cooperators.

With the "domestication" of forestry and increasing
deployment of newly-developed varieties of forest trees,
new challenges have emerged. These relate to maintaining
biodiversity, of which the fundamental building blocks
are genes and genotypes, and safeguarding the health,
productivity and evolutionary potential of future forests.
These are being addressed largely through the leadership
and policy direction provided by the Alberta Forest Genetic
Resources Council and the newly established Standards
for Tree Improvement in Alberta. Future challenges include
strengthening scientific research and advanced education
programs in Alberta and successful adaptation of Alberta
forestry to global climate change. Alberta's forest genetics
and tree improvement program is uniquely qualified to fulfill
these needs.

O

Tree improvement in Alberta involves more than 20 active
programs in eight native species, of which six are coniferous
and two are deciduous. All programs are based on traditional
plant breeding methods, and no genetic modification (GM)
is invoLved. Most programs include genetic gain as a primary
objective, although some are designed primarily to alleviate
seed shortages. Conservation of genetic diversity and
maintenance of adaptability to natural environments are two
primary objectives of all programs. Several exotic species
are under consideration, either as pure species or as parents
in hybrid programs. While some companies have initiated
independent programs, most programs are being developed
through cooperative arrangements either among companies,
or between Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Land
& Forest Division (ASRD) and single or multiple companies.
Several programs are also being developed by ASRD alone.

The first coniferous programs were initiated in 1976 and new
programs have been continuously added up to the present.

The older programs are beginning to mature and some orchards
have produced considerable amounts of seed for operational
deployment. A broad genetic base has been accumulated and
grafting in ex situ reserves has preserved thousands of wild
genotypes. A system of in situ reserves is also being initiated
for species involved in breeding programs.

Progeny tests associated with the older programs
are yielding fast-growing healthy individuals
for inclusion in the next generation's breeding
populations.

Coniferous programs are summarized at right.

Douglas-fir
Western larch
Jack pine
Lodgepole pine
Black spruce
White spruce
Total

Programs for deciduous
species were initiated more
recently. Since the early 1990s,
several private companies
have been investigating and
developing programs in aspen and
aspen hybrids, balsam poplar, hybrid
poplars, and birch. The focus for these
programs has primarily been on adaptation
and growth rate, as well as stock production and establishment.
Deployment is planned on both private and public land.

The first aspen cooperative program was formally initiated
in 1994 by a group of forest products companies. Since then,
hundreds of genotypes have been selected and tests have been
established on a number of sites. Hybrid breeding programs
involve crossing the native Populus tremuloides with P.tremula
from Europe and P. davidiana from eastern Asia. Research in
silviculture, stock production and breeding techniques has
proven essential for working with both aspens and poplars.

The provincial genetics policy (Standards for Tree Improvement
in Alberta, May 1, 2003 - see page 3) is expected to
encourage investment in tree improvement activities. The
policy establishes a framework for program development and
accrual of benefits, while ensuring that genetic diversity and
conservation objectives are met.

# of parents in

programs programs

1 40

1 27

1 68

7 1,912

3 234

9 1,255

3,536

parents
under test

genotypes
in orchards

trees in
orchards

seed produced

0<g)

0

35

120

0

0

18

74

0

0

51

318

0

1,633

520

7,943

111.3

179

266

3,501

0.1

580

795

'•7,757

332*9

2,392

1,685

19,713

444.3

22

Standards for Tree Improvement in Alberta were released in
manual form for implementation May 1, 2003. The manual
provides standards which guide traditional reforestation
activities, enable industry to plant genetically improved stock
on Crown land and direct conservation efforts necessary to
preserve the genetic diversity of Alberta's Crown forests.

Although not a direct Council initiative, these standards
represent almost two years of exhaustive work by over 40
scientists and resource managers, some of them Council
members, working within the Alberta Forest Genetics
Framework. This framework process was directed by a primary
task group, which delegated work to five technical groups
charged with developing draft policy and solving technical
problems. The draft standards were submitted to Council
for review and input once they had been reviewed and
consolidated by the primary group. Council endorsed the draft
standards in September, 2002.

The draft standards were then submitted for review by
stakeholders and affected government departments. Input
was reviewed and adjustments made to the standards prior to
submission to the Standing Policy Committee and Caucus for
approval.

The standards manual consists of the following five sections:

1. Ownership and Data Access which provides principles for
governing access to and ownership of genetic materials
collected or deployed on Crown land and to their related
information.

2. Material Collection, Handling, Registration and Storage

which provides standards for handling of both wild
and improved genetic materials from collection site to
plantation.

3. Green Area Deployment which provides standards to be
met in the deployment of reforestation material in order
to manage the potential risks surrounding adaptation,
diversity and estimating genetic gain.

4. Breeding, Testing and Verification which establishes the
planning and procedural steps to be taken in establishing
programs where selected parental material is to be
established in facilities such as seed orchards and stool
beds to produce reforestation materials.

5. Production of Controlled Parentage Material which sets
standards for the establishment of production facilities
producing reforestation materials as well as information
and procedural requirements necessary to produce a crop
that is eligible for registration and use on Crown land.

These standards are to be reviewed annually for the first two

years and again after five years.

benchmarking

forest genetic

programs

The Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council decided in
April, 2000, to undertake a project on benchmarking of
forest genetic resources programs in Alberta. The project is
to provide objective quantification of how our programs are
performing compared to similar programs in Canada. The idea
was discussed with the other three similar Councils (British
Columbia, Ontario and New Brunswick) and it was decided to
modify the concept to a national survey involving all Provinces
and Territories.

The survey will gather information on the status of various
activities directly related to forest genetic resources management
across Canada. Five categories related to forest genetics have
been identified - native species, genetically modified organisms,
non-native tree species, education in forest genetics and tree
improvement, and forest genetic advisory Councils and Boards.
Information on policy, practices and processes followed by
different jurisdictions in Canada will be compiled and summarized
with regard to key elements or "benchmarks" of forest genetic
resources management. The survey results should provide a
good understanding of similarities and differences between
programs and provide an opportunity to learn from each other in
making individual programs better, both technically and in their
accountability to stakeholders.

The survey questionnaires have been sent to all Provinces and
Territories except Nunavut, which does not have a forestry
program. The results will be reported in next year's annual
report of the Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council, shared
with interested parties and participants, and presented at the
2004 meeting of the Canadian Tree Improvement Association
in Kelowna, B.C.

forest gene resources

conservation

Forest Gene Resources Conservation Program work in Alberta in

2002 included the following:

• With a seed zone system implemented as part of the new
"Standards for Tree Improvement in Alberta," seed zones now
provide ecologically based geographic units for forest tree
conservation planning and activities in the province. Several
new standards also clarify roles and responsibilities of the
Crown and companies in conservation and provide some
basic procedures and targets for conservation work.

• In November, 2002, a letter of agreement was signed
between Land and Forest Division of Alberta Sustainable
Resource Development and Parks and Protected Areas
Division of Alberta Community Development. This agreement
establishes the intent to engage in cooperative work on the
conservation of heritage forest genetic resources in Alberta
and the implementation of a provincial gene conservation
pLan for Alberta forest trees. Areas of cooperation include:
the development of a list of provincial trees, a review of the
status of provincial tree species and conservation priorities,
development and update of information on the natural
distribution of species, review of provincial Protected
Areas to determine areas suitable to meet the needs for
gene conservation, strategic seed and vegetative materials
collections to complement in situ conservation and the
implementation of management plans for areas chosen for
gene conservation. An initial planning meeting was held in
March, 2003.

• As part of the cooperative work being undertaken with Parks
and Protected Areas, whitebark pine and limber pine have
been identified as a priority for conservation efforts as they

are on the Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre's
watch list. The threat to these two species of native soft
pines arises from a limited distribution in Alberta as well as
their susceptibility to white pine blister rust, an introduced
fungal pathogen, and the expected vulnerability of their
main seed dispersal agent, the Clark's nutcracker,
to West Nile Disease. Damage to these two pines
has been extensive in portions of their British
Columbia and U.S. range and the disease has also
been identified in Alberta. The magnitude of the
threat is not fully known due in part to inadequate
information on the abundance and distribution of
these two non-commercial species as well as on
the extent of infection. Several agencies including
Forest Management Branch, Parks and Protected
Areas, the Canadian Forest Service and Parks Canada
are currently working on surveys to determine host
ranges and abundance, and levels of infection.

Once this information is available, the risk can be
assessed and the appropriate conservation status
determined and conservation activities planned.

During the past year. Forest Management Branch
has continued acquiring and compiling digital data
as part of the requirement for implementing the
gap analysis portion of the provincial tree gene
resources conservation plan. These data include
digital elevation models, forest inventories,
satellite imagery, climatic models, species
distributions and line work for protected areas,
seed zones and Natural Subregions. Additional
data is available from Parks and Protected Areas to
assist in this process.

O

climate

change and

genetic

resources

The relationship between climate and the distribution of
plants and animals has been recognized for centuries. Most
recently, concerns that climate is changing in ways that have
significant impacts on the Earth have stimulated interest in
the description and prediction of climate and of responses
of plants and animals. To address that interest, Alberta
Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Environment
have initiated a project involving four aspects of climate and
its relationships with genetic variation in forest trees.

In a preliminary
step to addressing
questions of
climatic change,
an interdisciplinary
group has
expanded the

database on Alberta climate. As in most jurisdictions, climatic
stations in Alberta are concentrated in urban and agricultural
areas with under-representation of forests and Lightly settled
areas. Stations in more remote areas often produce only partial
records with seasonal gaps in data. By reducing the number
of years of observations required for inclusion in a database,
we have approximately tripled the number of geographic
points for which consistent data are available in the national
database. The data have been assembled in an archive
containing observations for monthly mean daily temperature,
monthly mean daily maximum temperature, monthly mean daily
minimum temperature and monthly mean precipitation.

Using data from the archive, values for 16 variables expected
to be important in the distribution and responses of trees to
climate have been derived. Mean temperature of the coldest
month, degree-days above 5°C. and annual moisture index are

examples. These variables will be used in on-going research on
climate/forest tree relationships.

In addition, using the modern mathematical technique known
as thin-plate splining, the pattern of fixed-point climatic
stations has been transformed into continuous surfaces that
allow the estimation of climatic variables at any point in
Alberta. This will be especially useful in addressing questions
of climate/tree relationships at locations of experiments far
removed from climatic stations. Splining also facilitates the
production of maps to a resolution as small as one kilometre.

This project will now combine results from the Alberta Climate
Prediction Model with projections from global climatic models
to illustrate potential impacts of global warming on the
climate of Alberta.

Also in progress is the exploration of mathematical
descriptions expressing the relationships between genetic
variation of tree species and climate. Elsewhere, studies of this
type have shown very high degrees of fit for several climatic
variables, especially those associated with timing and amount
of growth.

Assuming that the relationships between current climate
and genetic response are similar in possible future climates,
the impact of cLimate change on tree species of Alberta can be
estimated. Moreover, the identification of areas where current
climate is similar to areas of future climate may provide a
basis for locating sources of genetic material that will be
adapted to a changed climate. Such areas may warrant special
consideration for gene conservation.

■HMWHBWBBH * &

research
and trials

Scientific research and experimental field trials continue to
provide an expanding knowledge base for Alberta's many and
diverse programs involving forest genetics, tree improvement,
gene resources conservation and deployment of improved tree
varieties in reforestation. This important work is delivered
through Alberta's universities, the Canadian Forest Service, the
forest industry and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.

A significant part of the work also involves collaboration with
other scientific organizations at national and international levels,
and regional partnerships with the provincial forest service and
industry in the neighboring province of British Columbia.

The University of Alberta

The University of Alberta provides just
one example of the innovative and
collaborative research programs under
way in the area of forest genetics.

The research is conducted by several
laboratories in the Department
of Biological Sciences and the
Department of Renewable Resources.
The following notes deal only with
work done in the Department of
Renewable Resources by Professors
Peter Blenis, Bruce Dancik, Ellen
Macdonald and Francis Yeh, and Adjunct
Professors Barb Thomas and Dick Pharis.

Considerable work deals with genetic
characterization and use of trembling aspen and

©

hybrid poplars for plantation forestry and reclamation with
special emphasis on field performance, biomass production
and carbon sequestration potential (Dancik, Macdonald,
Thomas). Results of ongoing work will help assess how the
C02 level during greenhouse culture affects subsequent field
performance for each of several genetic groups of aspen and
for the hybrid poplars. Several projects about resistance to
western gall rust, shepherd's crook and Septoria canker have
been pursued with the aim of effectively deploying resistant
individuals on forested landscapes (Blenis).

Other work with graduate students (the Yeh lab) focuses on
tree improvement, evolution and gene conservation. Recently
they have (1) developed an early genetic evaluation and
selection strategy for Alberta white spruce using seedling traits
and seasonal growth curves; (2) advanced host-pathogen co-
evolution theory using lodgepole/jack pines and western gall
rust as the model system; (3) explored how genetic variation
is organized in lodgepole pine, constructed the first genomic
map of Alberta lodgepole pine and mapped nine loci that
confer major resistance to western gall rusts; (4) identified and
isolated genes that confer salt tolerance in Alberta jack pine
and black spruce; and (7) developed POPGENE, state of the
art software that many geneticists worldwide use to analyze
their population genetic data. Dancik continues work on the
evolution of several putative hybrid complexes of woody plants
as well, investigating the potential risks to hybridization
between native and non-native poplars (with Thomas).

The work in Renewable Resources has involved partnerships
with Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority
(Alberta Energy), Alberta Sustainable Resource Development,
Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (Al-Pac), Daishowa-
Marubeni International Inc. (DMI), Weyerhaeuser Company,
Mobil Oil Canada, Suncor Energy Inc., and Syncrude Canada Ltd.

Alberta Tree Improvement and Seed Centre

The Alberta Tree Improvement and Seed Centre near Smoky
Lake is operated by the Land and Forest Division of Alberta
Sustainable Resource Development. The centre carries out
applied research in support of the provincial forest genetic
resources management program and practical tree breeding
to enhance growth, yield, timber quality and climatic/pest
hardiness of the future forest. The focus is on understanding
and conserving genetic diversity of the major forest tree
species of Alberta and developing knowledge on inheritance
patterns and genetic relationships of important tree
traits. Scientific knowledge is developed primarily through
establishing long-term field experiments and their periodic
measurements and analysis. Research studies have also
been established on improving seed production and seed
quality from seed orchards producing superior tree varieties
for regional reforestation and environmental responses of
genotypes and populations of forest tree species to study their
adaptation to present and future climates.

from the research studies are periodically
summarized and made available to
practitioners and scientific audiences.
The research projects also provide
scientific training and educational
opportunities for post-graduate
students working in the area of
genetics and tree improvement,
mainly at the University of
Alberta. As well, the research
supports development of
scientific data and technical
information regarding tree
improvement standards and other
regulatory needs in the area of
forest genetic resources management
by the provincial government.

Canadian Forest Service

The work is carried out cooperatively
with forest industry, the Canadian
Forest Service, provincial forest
services and other scientific
organizations. There is a well-
established network of field
experiments containing nearly
200 research studies located
at 44 research installations
throughout Alberta and at a few
selected locations in northeastern
British Columbia. The oldest field
experiments are 27 years old. Results

Conservation requires an understanding of how natural
agents can threaten certain populations. The Canadian Forest
Service is contributing to this knowledge with a study of a
disease that threatens Limber pine and whitebark pine, which
in Alberta are found only in the southwestern corner of the
province within the foothills and Eastern Slopes of the Rocky
Mountain Range.

White Pine Blister Rust (WPBR), Cronartium ribicola, is a non-
native fungus, which infests, damages and kills soft pines,
and is present throughout most of North America. This species
has been present in Alberta for several decades and infests
whitebark pine, Pinus albicaulis, and limber pine, Pinus ►

I

I

1

ftexilis. Neither of these pines are important
commercial species but they have high
conservation value. The Canadian Forest
Service reports that while there have
been several surveys of WPBR incidence
and damage in whitebark pine, very
little is known about the impact of
the disease on limber pine. Anecdotal
observations from 2002 indicate that
WPBR infestation rates are extremely
high throughout the southern Porcupine
Hills in stands where the fungus was
virtually absent in 1989 and earlier. Some
data collected from limber pine in Alberta
in 1996 showed 46 per cent mortality and 93
per cent infection in Waterton Lakes National Park
and 14 per cent mortality and 76 per cent infection
in the Porcupine Hills. As limber pine has a relatively small
distribution in Canada, and the species is of high conservation
value, surveys were initiated in 2003 by the Canadian Forest
Service, in collaboration with Alberta Sustainable Resource
Development (ASRD), to ascertain the extent and incidence of
WPBR-caused mortality and damage in limber pine in Alberta.
Research plots established as part of the 1996 work will be
revisited to ascertain changes in damage levels since 1996.
Initial data (as of early June) from a small number of sites in
the Porcupine Hills indicate limber pine mortality (from all
causes, but mostly due to WPBR) of about 50 per cent and
infection rates in excess of 90 per cent. The extent of damage
appears to be a cause for concern.

The surveys in 2003 will give a general overview of the extent
and severity of the problem, which will help to focus additional
work in subsequent years. Seed will be collected where available

to aid ex situ conservation. WPBR spores have been collected
for genetic fingerprinting. A survey of WPBR in whitebark
pine is being coordinated by ASRD in 2003 using the same
protocols developed for limber pine. Efforts by ASRD to map the
distribution of limber pine and whitebark pine in Alberta will
further assist survey efforts. It is expected that surveys will
continue in 2004. Also, planning is underway to initiate research
to assess the impacts of WPBR on genetic variation in limber
pine and to look for potentially resistant genotypes.

Industry's Role

HASOC is a consortium of five companies in west-central
Alberta with several operational trials underway at its
seed orchard complex. The main focus of this research is
on increasing seed production in mature white spruce and
lodgepole pine seed orchards.

• A fertilizer trial, involving several levels of nitrogen
and phosphorus, was initiated in 2002 in a 17-year-old
lodgepole pine seedling seed orchard. After one season's
application, results are significant and promising, with
trees receiving the best treatment bearing almost twice the
number of female flowers as controls.

• A gibberellin (growth regulating hormone GA 4/7) trial was
initiated in 2000 in both white spruce and lodgepole pine.
Results were promising in both orchards, and are continuing
in 2003 in the pine orchard.

• A trial of Ferbam (Carbamate WDG) as a fungicidal control
agent for spruce cone rust (Chrysomyxa pirolata) was
conducted in 2001 and 2003; however rust levels in 2001
were too low to evaluate efficacy.

• Several methods of cone crop estimation are being
evaluated in 2003.

In addition, HASOC continues to establish and maintain a
wide range of genetic trials to evaluate adaptation and field
performance of selected parents and their offspring.

Western Boreal Aspen Corporation (WBAC) is a

cooperative of four Alberta companies, which conducts
supportive research for its genetics programs, including
breeding, testing and selection, as well as basic research into
aspen silviculture.

Genetics-related research involves stand-alone studies to
address current challenges.

• Flower induction studies using plant growth regulators such
as paclobutrazol and 2-chloroethyltrimethyl ammonium
chloride (CCC) provided excellent results; consequently
WBAC was able to complete about half of the first
generation breeding in 2003.

• Member companies, together with private nurseries, are
developing effective mass clonal propagation systems,
which rely on aspen's natural suckering ability. Some
techniques, such as the 'rootling' and 'stacked styroblock'
methods, show potential for large-scale operational clonal
stock production.

Silviculture research addresses eight main focus areas through
a variety of projects. Objectives are to:

1. Develop a growing regime to produce planting stock with
good survival and rapid early growth;

2. Develop methods (other than fencing) to minimize browse
damage by ungulates;

3. Achieve successful deployment of improved materials in
green area non-intensive plantations;

4. Identify the optimum physical environment and necessary
site preparation for maximum growth of planted stock;

5. Develop silvicultural tools to control competing vegetation
in aspen or poplar plantations;

6. Understand pest and disease issues affecting aspen, identify
methods to identify them and develop coping mechanisms;

7. Define optimal nutrient regimes for aspen and poplar culture;

8. Determine optimal mixed-wood plantation silviculture
regimes.

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.

Al-Pac's research program involves a number of projects in

cooperation with other partners including forestry, oil and gas,

the Provincial Government, Agriculture Canada, University of

Alberta, UBC, CFS and NSERC.

Research topics include:

• Understanding disease resistance in hybrid poplars to
Septoria;

• Wood quality screening - 5- and 10-year evaluation (2003);

• Production and early establishment techniques for poplars
and aspens;

• Silvicultural regimes;

• Operational fertilizer for mid-rotation plantations;

• Initial adaptive screening, genotype x environment
interaction, and density trials;

• Mass propagation development for hybrid aspens;

• Development of a risk assessment model for introduction
of hybrid and exotic aspens and poplars in northern and
central Alberta;

• Effects of elevated C02 on early performance, and growth
and allocation of resources in hybrid poplars and aspen;

• Potential for enhanced early selection in aspens through
assessment of gas exchange parameters; and

• Assessing the potential for enhanced early selection in
poplars through DNA marker analysis.

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council Secretariat

402 Meadowview Terrace

Sherwood Park, Alberta T8H 1X7

Phone: (780) 449-5626 Fax: (780) 449-5626

Website: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/forests/fmd/genetics

E-mail: afgrc@shaw.ca