Strategies and case studies for incorporating ecophysiology into southern pine tree improvement programs.

摘要

This paper discusses the potential obstacles to the development of productive linkages between ecophysiology and southern pine tree improvement (TI) programmes. It also describes some ongoing ecophysiological research efforts in three areas (family selection, clone selection, and identifying root system differences) that are attempting to gain information to improve TI programmes. Possible applications of current ecophysiological research to TI programmes as well as some strategies for future ecophysiological clone screening programmes, potential outputs and potential implications of these types of programmes, are discussed. This discussion centres on ecophysiology and breeding in southern pines, especially loblolly pine (Pinus taeda)..