USDA to Advance Tree Genomics and Breeding of Conifers

The United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns recently awarded $6 million to the University of California Davis to improve breeding technologies for conifer trees. Genomic-based breeding technologies will significantly reduce the breeding cycle time and the cost of extensive field evaluations at large, long-term test plantations. The Conifer Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP) will also train the next generation of tree breeders in modern plant breeding technologies. "Forests are important to our way of life and the earth's ecology," Johanns said. "Our commitment to the health and longevity of the forests is renewed with each investment in the next generation of research and people to care for the next generation of forest trees."

More information about the Conifer CAP project can be found on the Conifer Translational Genomics Network Web site at http://www.pinegenome.org/ctgn . Read the complete article at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2007/08/0230.xml.