William J. Libby – författare

Clonal forestry has come of age. Basic techniques in genetics and biotechnology of other organisms are generally applicable to forest trees. However, there are some differences, in particular in the juvenile- and maturation-related regeneration. Examined here are crucial topics of juvenility, maturation and rejuvenation in clonal propagation of trees. In addition, the genetics of clones, population biology of clonal deployment, propagation and field testing of clones, clone identification, clonal physiology, regeneration and variation in plant tissue cultures, the role of somatic embryogenesis in clonal forestry, and recent developments in biotechnology, including the molecular structure of trees and gene transfer are covered in depth.

Clonal forestry has come of age. Basic techniques in genetics and biotechnology of other organisms are generally applicable to forest trees. However, there are some differences, in particular in the juvenile- and maturation-related regeneration. Examined here are crucial topics of juvenility, maturation and rejuvenation in clonal propagation of trees. In addition, the genetics of clones, population biology of clonal deployment, propagation and field testing of clones, clone identification, clonal physiology, regeneration and variation in plant tissue cultures, the role of somatic embryogenesis in clonal forestry, and recent developments in biotechnology, including the molecular structure of trees and gene transfer are covered in depth.

Provided here are both underlying theory and recent resultsconcerning the propagation and use of clones in research andin production forestry. State-of-the-art science and casehistories treating production, testing, multiplication anddeployment of clones are presented. Agroforestry, urbanforestry and christmas-tree farming are covered, along withmore traditional multiple-use forestry and high-intensityforestry for biomass, wood and fiber production. Clonalforestry is contrasted to the more recent developments of"family forestry", and the classical tree-improvementapproach relying on seed-orchards. The history of clonalforestry is covered with reviews of several centuriesexperience with Sugi in Japan and poplars in Europe. Theimpacts and use of clones in the contexts of geneticconservation and biodiversity are discussed, as are the lawsand regulations affecting clonal production and deployment.