Harnessing Genomics in Tree Breeding

Virtual Symposium by The Sitka Spruced Project (sitkaspruced.web.ox.ac.uk/home). The Symposium “Harnessing Genomics in Tree Breeding” will showcase recent developments in major forest trees. Speakers will highlight new work in Sitka spruce in Great Britain, and commercial conifers in Canada and the USA. Genomic prediction is a powerful new breeding approach that is emerging in these systems. It combines genome scanning with data from growth modelling, determinations of wood properties and analyses of climatic adaptation, among others. You will learn about the progress, challenges, and future directions in the development and application of genomic prediction. Talks will also cover genetic diversity, evolution, drought tolerance and insect resistance as relevant to sustainable tree breeding.