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Forests
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Tree Improvement for Promising New Forest Products and Applications
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Tree Improvement for Promising New Forest Products and Applications

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Genetics and Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 12541

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Donald L. Rockwood

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
(1) School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida,Gainesville, FL 32611-0410, USA
(2) Florida FGT, LLC
Interests: tree improvement; eucalyptus grandis; e. amplifolia; corymbia torelliana; cypress; biochar production and applications; carbon sequestration

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Tree improvement can contribute to the development of planted forests that address the needs of a changing world. This Special Issue welcomes manuscripts that illustrate, through actual examples and promising designs, how tree improvement technologies, both traditional and advanced, can improve conventional and new forest products—such as mass timber, bioenergy, biofuels from thermo-chemical gasification, methane, alcohol, and other bioproducts including biochar, diesel fuel, and graphene—and enhance emerging applications as diverse as agroforestry, windbreaks,riparian buffers, phytoremediation, adaptation to climate change, and carbon sequestration.

Dr. Donald L. Rockwood
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Tree improvement
  • Eucalyptus
  • Pinus
  • Populus
  • forest products
  • bioproducts
  • carbon sequestration
  • agroforestry
  • phytoremediation

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 2118 KiB  
Article
Processing and Wood Factors Influence Medium Density Fiberboard Production from Young Eucalyptus grandis, E. amplifolia, Corymbia torelliana, and Cottonwood Grown in Florida USA
by Donald L. Rockwood, Jerrold E. Winandy and Neil R. Gribbins
Forests 2022, 13(2), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13020266 - 8 Feb 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1542
Abstract
Fast growing Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden (EG), E. amplifolia Naudin (EA), Corymbia torelliana (F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson (CT), and Populus deltoides W.Bartram ex Marshall (PD) may be deployed in Short Rotation Woody Crop [...] Read more.
Fast growing Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden (EG), E. amplifolia Naudin (EA), Corymbia torelliana (F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson (CT), and Populus deltoides W.Bartram ex Marshall (PD) may be deployed in Short Rotation Woody Crop (SRWC) systems in the lower Southeastern USA, especially in Florida. To evaluate these species for possible use as medium density fiberboard (MDF) and other composites, 2.5 m logs of three EG clones, three PD clones, six EA progenies, four CT trees, and one P. tremuloides Michx. (PT) tree from northern Wisconsin as a control were characterized for basic wood properties before being chipped, pulped, and pressed into MDF. The chips were thermomechanically pulped (TMP) for a two-phase study of the factors expected to influence suitability for MDF production: wood characteristics, refining system, resin system, and MDF formation. Phase I used TMP and 4% phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin to produce 17 MDF species/genotype batches (S/GB). Thickness Swell (TS), Water Absorption (WA), Internal Bonding (IB), Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), and Modulus of Rupture (MOR) were evaluated to: (1) assess within species and within tree variation, (2) relate basic wood properties to MDF potential, and (3) examine repeatability of MDF-making. There was considerable variation among and within species, but only minor within tree variation. Six of the seventeen S/GBs had superior physical and mechanical MDF properties. In Phase II, two of the six better performing Phase I S/GBs were evaluated, along with three average Phase I S/GBs. Phase II compared the effects on IB from using tube and drum blenders for resin application, the influence of using unscreened versus screened fibers, and the differences of using PF resin at 4% or 6% versus urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin at 8% or 12%. Overall, genetic variation among species, and particularly within these species, affected their potential for commercial MDF. Log specific gravity (SG), fines, MDF SG, and fiber length influenced MDF properties, as did refining and MDF-processing variables. Further study of specific processing requirements can optimize the potential of young EG, EA, PD, and CT genotypes for MDF and other composites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tree Improvement for Promising New Forest Products and Applications)
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11 pages, 3203 KiB  
Communication
Eucalyptus Amplifolia and Corymbia Torelliana in the Southeastern USA: Genetic Improvement and Potential Uses
by Donald L. Rockwood, Dudley A. Huber, Mark A. Crawford, Phillip C. Rucks, Elizabeth Lamb, Kyle W. Fabbro, Patrick J. Minogue, Romeo Jump and Gary R. Hodge
Forests 2022, 13(1), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/f13010075 - 6 Jan 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2193
Abstract
Eucalyptus amplifolia and Corymbia torelliana genetic improvement has been conducted in the lower southeastern USA by UF and collaborators since 1980. The collective accomplishments in genetic resources and potential commercial uses are summarized. For example, fast-growing, freeze-resilient E. amplifolia seeds are provided by [...] Read more.
Eucalyptus amplifolia and Corymbia torelliana genetic improvement has been conducted in the lower southeastern USA by UF and collaborators since 1980. The collective accomplishments in genetic resources and potential commercial uses are summarized. For example, fast-growing, freeze-resilient E. amplifolia seeds are provided by 1st and 2nd generation seedling seed orchards (SSO) and a 2nd generation clonal seed orchard (CSO), while C. torelliana seed are available from 1st and 2nd generation SSOs. Breeding values (BV) have been developed for guiding the deployment of improved genotypes. Collaborative genetic improvement of these species is ongoing, including testing E. amplifolia in 11 countries and development of hybrid clones. Short Rotation Woody Crop (SRWC) systems may increase productivity and extend uses beyond conventional mulchwood to products such as medium density fiberboard (MDF), biochar, and energywood, while other possible applications include honey production, windbreaks, dendroremediation, and carbon sequestration. C. torelliana may be paired with E. grandis in two-row windbreaks to maximum windbreak effectiveness and may sequester as much carbon as E. grandis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tree Improvement for Promising New Forest Products and Applications)
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14 pages, 782 KiB  
Article
Breeding Polyploid Varieties of Acacia: Reproductive and Early Growth Characteristics of the Allotetraploid Hybrid (Acacia mangium × A. auriculiformis) in Comparison with Diploid Progenitors
by Son Le, Rod A. Griffin, Christopher E. Harwood, René E. Vaillancourt, Jane L. Harbard, Aina Price, Chi Quynh Nghiem, Anthony Koutoulis and Kien Duc Nguyen
Forests 2021, 12(6), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12060778 - 13 Jun 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2414
Abstract
Diploid clones of the hybrid acacia (Acacia mangium × A. auriculiformis) are widely planted in Vietnam because of their high productivity, adaptability, and commercial wood yields. Polyploid breeding offers possibilities for further enhancing hybrid vigor and generating new high value genotypes. [...] Read more.
Diploid clones of the hybrid acacia (Acacia mangium × A. auriculiformis) are widely planted in Vietnam because of their high productivity, adaptability, and commercial wood yields. Polyploid breeding offers possibilities for further enhancing hybrid vigor and generating new high value genotypes. In a field trial, we compared three diploid hybrid clones with their respective colchicine-induced tetraploid lines. Flowering and seed production of each cytotype were observed and open pollinated seed collected for determination of outcrossing rate and ploidy, inbreeding depression and marker inheritance in the progeny. Comparisons are also made with published characteristics of autotetraploids derived from A. mangium. Compared with their corresponding diploid cytotypes, the allotetraploids flowered slightly later but more intensely; produced the same number of seeds per pod but larger seeds; and showed a greatly reduced level of outcrossing (an average of 14% compared with 87%). Inbreeding depression for height growth was less for progeny from the allotetraploid lines (17%) than for those from the original diploids (33%). 96% of seeds from the allotetraploid clones were also tetraploid, but we observed triploids at low frequency at both the seed and field progeny stages. The segregation of the molecular markers in outcrossed allotetraploid progenies demonstrated both disomic and tetrasomic inheritance, indicating that the hybrid behaves as a segmental allotetraploid. Results suggest that an open pollinated breeding strategy is a practical option for improving polyploid acacia hybrids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tree Improvement for Promising New Forest Products and Applications)
17 pages, 8618 KiB  
Article
Influence of Chrysoporthe deuterocubensis Canker Disease on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Eucalyptus urograndis
by Rasdianah Dahali, Paridah Md. Tahir, Adlin Sabrina Muhammad Roseley, Lee Seng Hua, Edi Suhaimi Bakar, Zaidon Ashaari, Mohd Redzuan Abdul Rauf, Nur Aziera Zainuddin and Noor Syazwani Mansoor
Forests 2021, 12(5), 639; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12050639 - 19 May 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3053
Abstract
Eucalyptus hybrid has been planted rigorously in wet tropical regions including Malaysia. Recently, there was a report on the occurrence of stem canker on these trees. However, the extent of the infections by this stem canker is unknown. The aim of this study [...] Read more.
Eucalyptus hybrid has been planted rigorously in wet tropical regions including Malaysia. Recently, there was a report on the occurrence of stem canker on these trees. However, the extent of the infections by this stem canker is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of stem canker disease, Chrysoporthe deuterocubensis, on the physical and mechanical properties of 11-year-old E. urophylla × E. grandis or also known as E. urograndis. The samples were taken from infected and healthy trees that were segregated into different classes based on the severity of the attack, i.e., healthy (class 1), moderately infected (class 2), severely infected (class 3) and very severely infected (class 4). A total of 1440 samples from four infection classes were used in this study. The physical and mechanical properties were determined according to the standard test procedures specified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 13061:2014 (Parts 1 to 4, 13, 14 and 17) and British Standard (BS 373: 1957). From the result, a significant effect by the infection classes was observed on physical and mechanical properties of E. urograndis. All infected wood experienced less shrinkage compared to that of a healthy one, particularly the volumetric (Volsh) and radial shrinkage (Rsh). Wood from class 2 and class 3 was less affected by the infection while the majority of wood from class 4 had significantly lower density and poorer strength. Based on the strength data, wood from infection class 2 can be considered to be used for non-structural applications such as furniture, interior finishing, window frames and doors since reduction in mechanical properties was observed. Wood from class 3 would need further investigation to examine its suitability for structural applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tree Improvement for Promising New Forest Products and Applications)
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17 pages, 6106 KiB  
Article
Chitosan Oligosaccharides Stimulate the Efficacy of Somatic Embryogenesis in Different Genotypes of the Liriodendron Hybrid
by Asif Ali, Jiaji Zhang, Minmin Zhou, Tingting Chen, Liaqat Shah, Shams ur Rehman, Sikandar Hayat, Jisen Shi and Jinhui Chen
Forests 2021, 12(5), 557; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12050557 - 29 Apr 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2267
Abstract
Liriodendron hybrid (L. chinense × L. tulipifera), an essential medium-sized tree generally famous for its timber, is also used as an ornamental and greenery tool in many places around the world. The Liriodendron hybrid (L. hybrid) tree goes through [...] Read more.
Liriodendron hybrid (L. chinense × L. tulipifera), an essential medium-sized tree generally famous for its timber, is also used as an ornamental and greenery tool in many places around the world. The Liriodendron hybrid (L. hybrid) tree goes through many hurdles to achieve its maximum strength and vigor, such as loss of habitat, vast genetic variation, and low seed setting rate. The establishment of an effective and well-organized somatic embryogenesis (S.E.) system could be used to overcome these obstacles, rather than the old-fashioned seed culture and organogenesis. This study is based on the impact of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) and its role in the induction of S.E. on the callus of four genotypes of the L. hybrid. The optimal concentration of COS could enhance the momentum and effectiveness in S.E.’s mechanism, which further improves the growth rate of the L. hybrid tree’s plantlets. This study shows that COS has a prominent role in endogenous hormones like indole acetic acid (IAA), zeatin (Z.T.), and gibberellic acid (GA3). Furthermore, COS improves the growth development, growth speed, as well as the development situation of plant germination ability. COS can also regulate branch development and root growth, which could be linked to the antagonistic effect on growth factors to some extent or by affecting auxin synthesis and polar transport. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tree Improvement for Promising New Forest Products and Applications)
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