Global climate change requires the development of programs that consider the active restoration of degraded forests and the use of native trees in afforestation to preserve the natural environment. International commitments like the UN REDD program, the Montréal Process and the Convention on Biological Diversity call for the breeding of species rarely contemplated by large industrial companies. Low-intensity breeding is the most rational strategy for those species: simple but robust, and not dependent on continuously increasing funding, and therefore effective even with a relatively small budget. It commonly focuses on high genetic diversity rather than improving economic traits and adaptability rather than productivity. Controlled crosses with full pedigrees typical of high-intensity breeding are replaced by open pollination.
This book presents state-of-the-art breeding strategies from the last two decades for several forest tree species of prime importance in the natural forests of Argentina. They are distributed in the three main forestry ecoregions of the country: the subtropical dry forest (Chaco), the subtropical rain forests (Yungas and Alto Paraná rainforests) and the temperate forests of Patagonia. The book also discusses the genetic patterns of the selected species defined using genetic markers together with the analysis of the variation in quantitative traits. Further, it examines the crucial features of their reproductive biology, such as the mating system and gene flow and describes the current breeding programs. Lastly, it presents the latest developments in genetic resources and their emerging applications, concluding with some reflections and perspectives related to the conditioning imposed by climate change.
Author(s): Mario J. Pastorino, Paula Marchelli
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 515
City: Cham
Contents
Chapter 1: Native Forests Claim for Breeding in Argentina: General Concepts and Their State
1.1 Beginnings of Genetic Studies of Forest Tree Species Native to Argentina
1.2 Main Forest Ecoregions of Argentina
1.2.1 Alto Paraná Rainforest
1.2.2 Yungas Rainforest
1.2.3 Chaco Subtropical Dry Forest
1.2.4 Sub-Antarctic Temperate Forest
1.2.5 Espinal Xerophytic Forest
1.2.6 Monte Xerophytic Scrubland
1.2.7 Paraná Riverside Wetland Forest
1.3 Native Forest Surface in Argentina
1.4 Official Trade Statistics for Timber and Non-timber Products of Native Tree Species
1.5 Regulations for the Conservation and Restoration of Native Forests and Promotion of Afforestation with Native Species
1.6 International Commitments of Argentina, National Plan for the Restoration of Native Forests, and Certification of Sustainable Management of Forests and Plantations
1.7 Domestication of Forest Tree Species
1.8 Low-Intensity Breeding of Forest Tree Species
1.9 Aim and Scope of the Present Contribution
References
Part I: Temperate Subantarctic Forests
Chapter 2: Temperate Subantarctic Forests: A Huge Natural Laboratory
2.1 Generalities and Particularities of the Andean-Patagonian Forests
2.2 Social Aspects
2.3 The Main Tree Species of the Andean-Patagonian Forests of Argentina
2.4 Shared Patterns in the Distribution of the Genetic Variation
2.5 The Choice of Species for Breeding
References
Chapter 3: Raulí (Nothofagus alpina = N. nervosa): The Best Quality Hardwood in Patagonia
3.1 General Features of Nothofagus alpina
3.2 Genetic Structure: Patterns of Genetic Variation at Neutral Markers
3.2.1 The Legacy of the Glacial Ages
3.2.2 Recent Processes Shaping the Genetic Structure: Identifying Hotspots of Diversity
3.3 Adaptive Genetic Variation: Patterns of Variation Among Populations at Quantitative Traits
3.4 The Underground Diversity: Relevance of Mycorrhizas and Other Soil Fungi Associated to Raulí
3.4.1 Intraspecific Variation of Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Communities in Raulí
3.4.2 Other Soil Fungi Associated with Raulí and Its Ectomycorrhizas
3.4.3 Concluding Remarks on the Relevance of Fungal Communities for Conservation and Domestication Programmes
3.5 Domestication of Raulí: A Potentiality with a Long History
3.6 Building a Breeding Strategy for Raulí in Argentina
3.7 Definition of Genetic Zones Based on Genetic Markers
3.8 Conservation and Management of Raulí Forests in Argentina
References
Chapter 4: Roble pellín (Nothofagus obliqua): A Southern Beech with a Restricted Distribution Area But a Wide Environmental Range in Argentina
4.1 Nothofagus obliqua Forests in Argentina
4.1.1 Species Characteristics and Natural Distribution Range
4.1.2 Hybridisation Processes
4.2 Genetic Variation Patterns Based on Neutral Genetic Markers
4.2.1 Inference of Past Demographic Changes: The Impact of the Pleistocene Glaciations
4.2.2 Level of Genetic Diversity as an Indicator for Conservation
4.2.3 Genetic Zones as Seed Sources for Breeding and Restoration
4.3 Quantitative Genetic Variation and Phenotypic Plasticity
4.3.1 Seed and Germination Analyses
4.3.2 Survival, Growth and Morphological Seedling Traits
4.3.3 Phenological Characters
4.3.4 Resilience Against Eventual Damages
4.3.5 Some Conclusions Based on Quantitative Genetic Variation and Phenotypic Plasticity Studies
4.4 On the Way to Domesticate Roble pellín
4.5 First Steps Towards Breeding of Roble pellín in Argentina
4.6 Intraspecific and Interspecific Controlled Crossings of N. obliqua
4.6.1 Flower Topology in N. obliqua
4.6.2 Flower Phenology
4.6.3 Test of Manual Pollinations
4.7 Concluding Remarks
References
Chapter 5: Nothofagus pumilio and N. antarctica: The Most Widely Distributed and Cold-Tolerant Southern Beeches in Patagonia
5.1 Main Characteristics, Ecological Features, and Distributional Ranges
5.2 Phylogeography: Inspecting Nothofagus Evolutionary History Through Chloroplast DNA
5.3 Genetic Structure at Nuclear Markers Across Species Ranges
5.3.1 Latitudinal Trends, Species Admixture, and the Identification of a Contact Zone
5.3.2 Impact of Selective Logging on Patterns of Genetic Diversity: A Case Study in Nothofagus pumilio
5.4 Genetic Zones: On How Molecular Tools Can Contribute to the Conservation and Management of Forest Resources
5.5 Adaptive Genetic Variation of N. pumilio: Assessment of Juvenile Traits in Common Garden Experiments
5.5.1 In Situ Geographic Variation
5.5.2 Variation Among Populations in Common Garden Trials
5.5.3 Genetic Variation by Means of Progeny Trials
5.6 Domestication and Low-Intensity Breeding Strategies
5.6.1 First Steps in N. antarctica
5.6.2 First Steps in N. pumilio
References
Chapter 6: Patagonian Cypress (Austrocedrus chilensis): The Cedarwood of the Emblematic Architecture of North Patagonia
6.1 Characteristics of Patagonian Cypress and Traditional Uses for Its Wood
6.2 Geographic Patterns of Neutral Genetic Variation
6.3 Quantitative Genetic Variation in Key Adaptive Juvenile Traits
6.3.1 Quantitative Genetic Variation at the Regional Scale
6.3.2 Variation Between Humid and Xeric Populations
6.3.3 Variation Along the Arid Marginal Edge
6.4 First Definition of Provenance Regions for a Forest Tree Species in Argentina
6.5 Domestication and Breeding Strategy
References
Chapter 7: Araucaria araucana and Salix humboldtiana: Two Species Highly Appreciated by the Society with Domestication Potential
7.1 Araucaria araucana (Pewen): The Sacred Tree of the Mapuche Nation
7.1.1 Introduction
7.1.2 Distribution and Ecology
7.1.3 Landscape Genetic Structure: Fragmentation Matters
7.1.4 Adaptive Genetic Variation
7.1.5 Restoration, Conservation and Breeding
7.2 Salix humboldtiana: A Very Ancient Willow and the Only Native to Argentina
7.2.1 An Ancient Species with a Huge Natural Distribution Area
7.2.2 The Main Threats to Its Conservation
7.2.3 Landscape Genetic Structure
7.2.4 First Steps Towards a Breeding programme
7.2.4.1 Launching of a Participatory Genetic Rescue programme
References
Part II: Subtropical Dry Forests
Chapter 8: Subtropical Dry Forests: The Main Forest Ecoregion of Argentina
8.1 Main Physiographic and Physiognomic Features of the Argentine Chaco
8.2 Chaco and Deforestation: Two Words That Have Become Synonymous in the Last Two Decades
8.3 The Role of Trees in the Primary Production of the Chaco
8.4 Agrobusiness: The New Productive Paradigm in the Chaco and Its Social Consequences
8.5 The Need for a New Tree-Centered Production Paradigm
8.5.1 Red Quebrachos: Schinopsis spp. (Anacardiaceae)
8.5.2 Aspidosperma Quebracho-Blanco (Apocynaceae)
8.5.3 Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Fabaceae)
8.5.4 Caesalpinia Paraguariensis (Fabaceae)
8.5.5 Handroanthus Heptaphyllus (Bignoniaceae)
8.5.6 Ziziphus mistol (Rhamnaceae)
References
Chapter 9: Genetic Variation Patterns of “Algarrobos” from the “Great American Chaco” (Prosopis alba, P. nigra, P. hassleri, P. fiebrigii, P. ruscifolia, P. chilensis, and P. flexuosa)
9.1 Morphological Analyses as a First Approach to the Study of the Algarrobos’ Genetic Resources in the Chaco Region
9.2 Variability and Genetic Differentiation Through Isozyme Analysis
9.3 Natural Interspecific Hybridization Processes Evaluated Through Morphological Traits and Molecular Markers
9.3.1 Morphological and Molecular Characterization of a Hybrid Zone between Prosopis alba and P. nigra in the Chaco Region of Northwestern Argentina
9.3.2 Genetic and Morphometric Markers are Able to Differentiate Three Morphotypes Belonging to Section Algarobia of Genus Prosopis
9.3.3 Morphological and Genetic Differentiation of Disjunct Prosopis chilensis Populations across its Distribution Range
9.3.4 Genetic-Adaptive Studies in Populations of Prosopis alba
9.4 Estimation of Mating System and Pollen Dispersal Parameters
9.5 Phenological Analysis of a Stand and Its Application in a Hybrid Swarm of Prosopis spp.
References
Chapter 10: Genetic Breeding of Prosopis Species from the “Great American Chaco”
10.1 Use and Domestication of “Algarrobos”: A Set of Multipurpose Tree Species
10.2 Low-Intensity Breeding
10.3 High-Intensity Breeding
10.4 Vegetative Propagation: A Useful Tool for Genetic Improvement
10.5 Beneficial Microorganisms
10.5.1 Rhizobacteria for P. alba Cultivation
10.5.2 Mycorrhizae for Prosopis alba
References
Chapter 11: Species Without Current Breeding Relevance But High Economic Value: Acacia caven, Acacia aroma, Acacia visco, Prosopis affinis, Prosopis caldenia and Gonopterodendron sarmientoi
11.1 Botanical, Ecological and Usage Features
11.2 Genetic Diversity by Means of Molecular Markers
11.3 Mating System
11.4 Population Structure and Landscape Genetic Structure
11.5 Recommendations for Management and Conservation Programmes
References
Part III: Subtropical Rainforests
Chapter 12: Subtropical Rainforests: The Yungas and the Alto Paraná Rainforest
12.1 The Yungas Rainforest: Geographical Location, Logging Background, Conservation Status, and Trade
12.2 Alto Paraná Rainforest: Geographical Location, Logging Background, and Conservation Status
12.3 General Considerations from a Breeding Point of View for a Sustainable Management of the Argentinean Rainforests
References
Chapter 13: Patterns of Neutral Genetic Variation for High-Value Cedar Species from the Subtropical Rainforests of Argentina
13.1 The Genus Cedrela in Argentina: Distribution Area, Ecological Niches, and the Current State of Its Genetic Resources
13.2 Conservation and Breeding Program of Cedrela in Argentina: Molecular Genetic Bases
13.2.1 Molecular Genetic Variability of Cedrela angustifolia in the Yungas
13.2.1.1 Genetic Diversity and Differentiation
13.2.1.2 Genetic Variation and Latitude
13.2.1.3 Genetic Variation and Anthropogenic Disturbance
13.2.2 Molecular Genetic Variability of Cedrela balansae in the Yungas
13.2.3 Molecular Evidence of Hybrid Zones of Cedrela in the Yungas
13.2.3.1 Population Structure of Cedrela in the Yungas
13.2.3.2 Phylogenetic Relationships of Cedrela Species from the Yungas
13.2.3.3 Natural Hybridization Between C. balansae and C. saltensis in the Yungas
13.2.3.4 Delimitation of Hybrid Zones of C. balansae and C. saltensis in the Yungas
13.2.4 Clonal Seed Orchards of Cedrela balansae and Cedrela angustifolia: Molecular Genetic Bases
13.2.5 Genetic Variability of Cedrela fissilis Populations in the Alto Paraná Rainforest
13.3 Contributions from Research to Conservation and Use of Cedrela Genetic Resources in Argentina
References
Chapter 14: Breeding Strategy for the Cedrela Genus in Argentina
14.1 Domestication of Cedrela sp. in Argentina
14.2 A Tiny Enemy Threatens the Cultivation of Cedrela sp.
14.3 Variation in Quantitative Traits
14.4 First Steps Toward the Breeding of the Genus in Argentina
References
Chapter 15: Paraná Pine (Araucaria angustifolia): The Most Planted Native Forest Tree Species in Argentina
15.1 Natural Distribution in Argentina: The Western Extreme of a Large Area
15.2 Uses and Conservation Status of the Natural Forests of Araucaria angustifolia
15.3 The Historical Use of Araucaria angustifolia in Productive Plantations
15.4 Reproductive Biology of Araucaria angustifolia
15.4.1 Limitations for the Pollination and Seed Formation
15.4.2 Seed Production and Conservation of A. angustifolia’s Recalcitrant Seeds
15.5 Genetic Variability of Natural Populations Estimated by AFLP Markers
15.5.1 The Outstanding Case of a Multi-provenance Plantation Over 70 Years Old
15.6 Breeding and Conservation Strategy for Araucaria angustifolia
15.6.1 First Steps Toward Improvement of the Species in Brazil
15.6.2 Provenance Tests in Argentina and Genetic Variation of Quantitative Traits
15.6.3 Base, Selected, Breeding, and Propagation Populations for an Incipient Improvement Program in Argentina
15.7 Concerns and Actions for Conservation
References
Chapter 16: Peteribí (Cordia trichotoma), Lapacho Rosado (Handroanthus impetiginosus), and Cebil Colorado (Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil): Three Valuable Species with Incipient Breeding Programs
16.1 General Considerations and Natural Ranges of the Species in Argentina
16.2 Cordia trichotoma
16.2.1 Preliminary Molecular Analyses
16.2.2 Domestication Experiences
16.2.3 An Incipient Breeding Program
16.3 Handroanthus impetiginosus
16.3.1 Preliminary Characterization of Its Genetic Variability
16.3.2 Domestication Experience and Breeding Strategy
16.4 Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil
16.4.1 Phenotypic and Genetic Studies: Development of Specific nuSSRs and Spatial Distribution of Phenotypic and Molecular Variability
16.4.2 Domestication Potential of Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil in Argentina
16.5 Breeding and Conservation Programs: Future Steps
References
Part IV: New Tools and Final Considerations
Chapter 17: Application of High-Throughput Sequencing Technologies in Native Forest Tree Species in Argentina: Implications for Breeding
17.1 High-Throughput Sequencing Technologies
17.2 Applications of HTS Technologies on Forest Tree Species
17.3 Genomic Strategies to Accelerate Tree Breeding
17.3.1 Genome-Wide Association Studies
17.3.2 Genomic Selection
17.4 HTS Technologies Applied to Argentina’s Native Tree Species
17.4.1 Transcriptome and Genome Sequencing of Nothofagus Species
17.4.2 Transcriptome Sequencing of Prosopis alba
17.4.3 Transcriptome Sequencing of Cedrela balansae
17.5 Ongoing HTS Projects
17.5.1 Transcriptome Sequencing of Austrocedrus chilensis, Handroanthus impetiginosus and Cordia trichotoma
17.5.2 Genome Sequencing of Austrocedrus chilensis
17.5.3 Transcriptome Sequencing of Nothofagus alpina and N. obliqua Under Water Stress Conditions
17.6 Current and Future Genetic Studies on Native Forest Tree Species and Implications for Breeding
References
Chapter 18: Questions, Perspectives and Final Considerations of Planting Native Species Under the Climate Change Conditioning
18.1 Genetic Considerations of Planting Native Species: Maladaptation and Genetic Contamination
18.2 Should We Think About Productivity or the Preservation of Genetic Identity?
18.3 Climate Change in Argentina
18.4 Shifting of the Natural Range of Forest Tree Species Associated to Climate Change Forecast
18.5 Assisted Migration: Breeding for the Present or for the Future Climate?
References
Index
