Coastal western redcedar tree breeding program
Last updated on May 23, 2024Western redcedar is an important commercial species in B.C., prized for its naturally durable heartwood which is in demand for outdoor building material.
A genetic improvement program was established in the early 1990’s with the objective of developing a population that is resilient to multiple pests and genetically diverse, while enhancing adaptability and growth.
As the climate changes and pests become more abundant, breeding program challenges for western redcedar include:
- Volume and adaptability
- Foliage pathogens
- Ungulate damage
- Heartwood rots
Significant gains have been realized since the western redcedar program’s inception, even though genetic variation in western redcedar is quite low compared to other conifers specie native to B.C.. Gains from four provincial orchards (one government and three industry orchards) currently include increased volume and resistance to cedar leaf blight that is 20 percent greater than a wild stand.
References
- Gesell A, Blaukopf M, Madilao L, Yuen MS, Withers, SG, Mattsson J, Russell JH, Bohlmann J (2015). The gymnosperm-specific cytochrome P450 CYP750B1 catalyzes stereospecific monoterpene hydroxylation of (+)-sabinene in thujone biosynthesis in Thuja plicata. Plant Physiol. 168(1):94-106.
- Gray L, Russell JH, Yanchuk AD, Hawkins,BJ (2013) Predicting the risk of cedar leaf blight (Didymascella thujina) in British Columbia under uncertain future climate change. Agr. For. Meter. 180:152-163.
- Foster AJ, Hall DE, Mortimer L, Abercromby S, Gries R,Gries G, Bohlmann J,Russell J, Mattsson J. (2013) Identification of Genes in Thuja plicata Foliar Terpenoid Defenses. Plant Physiol. 161: 1993-2004.
- Foster A, Hall D, Abercromby S, Gries R, Gries G, Bohlmann J, Russell J, Mattsson JA. (2012) Genomics approach to gene discovery related to biosynthesis of thujone in western red cedar (Thuja plicata). Pharm. Biol. 50: 668-668
- Kimball BA, Russell JH, Ott P (2012) Phytochemical variation within a single plant species influences foraging behavior of deer. Oikos. 5(121):743-751.
- Russell JH, Yanchuck, ADY (2012) Breeding for growth improvement and resistance to multiple pests in Thuja plicata under a changing climate. Proceedings of the Fourth International Workshop on the Genetics of Host-Parasite Interactions in Forestry: Disease and Insect Resistance in Forest Trees. GTR-PSW 240:40-44.
- Kimball BA, Pfund F, Gourley M, Griffin DL Russell, JH (2011) Silvicultural attempts to induce browse resistance in conifer seedlings. Int. J. For. Res. Article ID 108529.