Eucalyptus' fast growth and multiple uses have made them an economically important tree genus. Dr Steve Verryn of the CSIR.

SERA's Plant Propagation and Cultivation Technologies (PPCT) focus area co-leader, Dr Lenie Venter, and team member Dr Steve Verryn, served on the scientific committee of the International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO) Conference - 'Eucalypts and diversity: balancing productivity and sustainability', held from 22 to 26 October in Durban.

The Conference that provided platform for sharing the current global knowledge available for the genetic improvement and sustainable growth of commercial Eucalyptus species, was followed by the highly acclaimed practical data analysis tools course for tree breeders.

"It is the first time in 15 years that Africa is hosting this conference - and the interactions with international colleagues will contribute to promoting sustainable plantation forestry on the continent and also expose the world forestry community to our dynamic and diverse plantation forestry environment. Having researchers from 28 countries attend the conference is really exciting - and in addition many of them will be visiting our South African plantations and research operations", said the CSIR's Flic Blakeway.

Verryn - an internationally recognised quantitative geneticist and tree breeder -participated as a course presenter and says that the course enables participants to analyse data that is typically encountered in a tree improvement programme. "The course covers a wide array of topics including elementary trial design, analysis of variance, heritability estimates, genetic correlations, selection using best linear prediction indices, genetic gains prediction and the interpretation of results", said Verryn.

The CSIR has been presenting courses in tree breeding since 1991 - courses that have attracted participants from 32 countries. The courses have facilitated the transfer of South African expertise to scientists and technicians from as far afield as Spain, Japan, Australia and Chile, and from numerous African countries. The courses have also played a key role in providing opportunities for the upliftment of tree breeders in developing economies, and previously disadvantaged forestry technicians in South Africa.

View more information on the CSIR's tree-breeding and forestry-related courses.

Source: CSIR