Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL) (10/2021-10/2024). Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe. Entwicklung genetischer Methoden zur Bestimmung der Herkunft und des adaptiven Potentials von Küstentanne (Abies grandis) in Deutschland als Basis für Auswahl und Aufbau hochwertiger Saatgutquellen. Reference number: 2220NR313A. Postdoc: Oliver Care

Grand fir (Abies grandis) is one of the most important alternative tree species for Germany. It owns a great potential for the sustainable protection of all forest functions. This is especially important concerning the forecasted climate changes. We want to establish the genetic basis for Grand fir as a high-yielding and ecologically compatible tree species on a larger area in German forests. This requires genetic methods and procedures that characterize the geographical / genetic variation in the North American area of origin. In a second step these reference data will be used to compare native stands with artificially established stands in Germany. The aim of this comparison is to determine the provenance of German stands and to assess the adaptive potential of these stands in comparison to the regions of origin. This is done with regard to the production of high-quality reproductive material. On the basis of a sufficiently variable gene pool and the exclusion of unsuitable provenances the project aims to provide the best possible basis for the cultivation of this tree species in Germany.
Furthermore plus trees will be selected and secured. The plus trees will be selected in provenance trials and in stands characterized within the frame of the project. The selection will be based on the genetic data developed in the project, so that in addition to the classic phenotypic plus tree criteria (especially growth performance, quality, vitality and health), genetic aspects (especially adaptive potential and genetic variability) are also taken into account.