Genetics

PRACTICE

The exercises in the subject Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding involve theoretical theses which are discusses in classrooms and praxis in the field of the basics of genetics and tree breeding that are conducted in the Institute's garden and Park forest Maksimir.

IV SUMMER SEMESTER

1. Inheritance of qualitative traits. Monohybrid, dihybrid, polyhybrid inheriting. Practical work with samples.
2. Variability and methods of studying the variability of quantitative traits. Making of histograms, the variation polygon and the standardized curve. Practical work with samples.
3. Estimation of additive and non-additive gene effects on rankness of forest trees growth. Transgression. Practical work with samples.
4. Quantitative traits variability on the example of half-sibs and clones. Practical work with samples.
5. Inheriting of quantitative traits in forest trees. Students have to write a paper that includes examples found in common oak and white willow.
6. Doing research on the genotype x environment interaction, phenotypic stability and adaptability with examples found in forest trees. Students' papers.
7. Demonstration of usage of tools for collecting biological material in forest trees. Students' papers.
8. The selection of plus trees of an even aged population with an unbiased criterion of the plus trees selection. Students' papers.
9. Vegetative propagation of forest trees. Practical work, which includes different methods of auto- and heterovegetative propagation. Students' papers.
10. Types of mating systems found in forest trees with examples. Students' papers.
11. Controlled hybridization technique used with forest trees. Students' papers.
12. Making the scheme for improvement of conifers and hardwoods. Students' papers.
13. Making the scheme for improvement of poplar and willow. Students' papers.
14. Calculating the heritability estimation and genetic gain in half-sib and clone tests.
15. Clonal forestry and biomass production in short rotations. Practical work with samples of forest trees.
    
    

IV SUMMER SEMESTER - FIELD CLASS (two days)

1. Selection of superior clones in tests of half-sib families, ways of testing them and their reproduction. Clone archives for conservation of forest trees genetic resources and their importance. Clonal seed orchards with and without progeny tests. Study of the genotype x environment interaction on the hardwoods experiments. Short rotation cultures for the biomass production. Students' papers.
   
   
2. Tests of full-sibs and establishing the clonal seed orchard for the hybrid seed. The importance of the forest trees provenances tests and their valorization. Mass selection and forest trees breeding zones. The selection of plus trees in a selected group. Students' papers.