Current trends in forest tree biotechnology

Abstract

Modern tools of biotechnology offer a variety of options through which it is possible to match the strides made in crop improvement in agriculture and horticulture. Current trends in forest tree biotechnology indicate that this is indeed happening and that some of the hurdles of conventional forest tree improvement are no longer a serious bottleneck. The progress made in in vitro culture of forest trees and the current status of application of the technology is discussed. The trends in use of molecular tools particularly the wide variety of DNA markers available and the identification of novel genes controlling traits of interest are examined. The current status of the technology in genetic transformation of forest trees is also reviewed. The bio-safety issues in forest biotechnology especially those relating to transgenic trees are presented without bias to either side of the ongoing debate. © 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc. All rights reserved.