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Information About Conifer Seed Orchards
Overview Conifer seed orchards are commonly used by forest companies, government agencies, or independent contractors to produce seed for reforestation. Seed orchards are a reasonably inexpensive method of producing large quantities of seed of high genetic and physiological quality. In British Columbia, approximately 220 million seedlings are planted in logged areas every year. About 36% of this seed is currently produced in seed orchards, while the remainder is collected from natural stands. It is the intent of the Forest Genetics Council of BC to increase the amount of seed orchard seed used. Genetic Quality Trees planted in seed orchards are grafts of parent trees selected and bred for desirable traits such as fast growth, wood quality, and pest resistance. The offspring ("progeny") of selected wild parents is tested in field trials to determine the extent to which the desired traits are heritable (i.e., a result of genetic differences rather than environmental effects). The better performing parent trees are selected, branch cuttings are grafted onto rootstock, and the grafted trees (called ramets) are planted in seed orchards where they are grown and managed for seed production. These selected trees are not genetically modified in any way. They are a collection of better-performing parents from natural stands that are grown together in an orchard where they can inter-mate and produce high quality seed. Orchard Sites Conifers produce seed most readily when they are on a site that causes some drought stress during the early summer period. An ideal seed orchard site has the following attributes:
Seed Orchard Management Seed orchard management involves all activities related to the culture of orchard trees, including planting, irrigation, fertilization, pesticide application, pruning, site mowing, etc. In addition, cone crops must be improved through pollen management, possible overhead misting to increase humidity at critical times, pest management, and other activities from time to time. Orchard trees may also be induced to produce more cones through the application of hormones. Maintenance of records and parent tree identities is an important part of managing seed orchards. Orchards must be mapped, and each tree must be tagged with its parent identity number. Management activities in the orchard will use this information on a routine basis. In British Columbia, seed to be used for reforestation on Crown lands must be registered, and seed orchards producing the seed must be licensed with the Ministry of Forests and Range. These processes are not difficult, and are designed to protect the public interest with regard to the genetic quality and diversity of seedlings being planted. Seed registration will require that certain information is kept and reported, including the volume of cones collected from each orchard parent, and any pollen management activities. Orchard management contracts with SelectSeed will require careful record keeping and annual reporting of activities in the orchard. Cooperative Forest Genetics and Tree Improvement in B.C. In British Columbia, tree improvement and forest genetics activities are guided by the Forest Genetics Council of BC (FGC). The FGC is a stakeholder group with members from government, the forest industry, and universities that coordinates activities for efficiency and to meet objectives in the areas of gene conservation and the production and use of genetically selected seed. Select Seed Company Ltd. (SelectSeed) is an initiative of the Forest Genetics Council to increase the production of quality orchard seed in a business-like way. Orchard Trees and Material Transfer Agreements Trees used for seed orchard seed production are grafts of trees selected in breeding programs. In British Columbia, the Ministry of Forests (MFR) runs breeding programs and owns the orchard trees. On recommendation from the FGC, the Ministry will provide authorization to use selected parent trees in seed orchards for seed production. This authorization is provided through Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs). MTAs limit the orchard managers' rights to use the orchard trees to produce seeds for sale and use in B.C. Seed Extraction, Handling, and Sale Cones harvested from seed orchards are normally dried in cone sheds at or near the orchard site. Dry cones are then shipped to a facility for seed extraction and cleaning. The Ministry of Forests and Range operates such a facility in Surrey, and private facilities also exist. Seed extracted from the cones is registered and stored at the MFR Surrey Seed Centre. The Seed Centre maintains records on the use of seed on Crown forest lands. There is a fee for the storage and registration service. Seed users order seed through a computerized system, maintained by the MFR, called the Seed Planning and Registration system (SPAR). Seed pricing and payment is between the owner of the seed and the user, and is not part of the responsibility of the Seed Centre.
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