The RPBC 's Research Programme consists of four inter-related Key Research Areas which together support and develop the capabilities of the operational tree breeding programme.
The research programmes in each of these key research areas has defined milestones covering 5 years.
Participants are well placed to be early adopters of new knowledge and superior germplasm arising from their participation in the RPBC.
New Genetic Combinations
Research Area Leader: Dr Luis Apiolaza
Research Area Statement
The goal of this research area is to develop superior new germplasm of radiata pine with new combinations of economically important traits specifically, growth and form, wood quality and health attributes.
The hypothesis underlying this research area is that through combining selected parents, unique germplasm can be developed that presents superior economic attributes. The approach adopted will be twofold: firstly a slow amelioration and conservation of currently available germplasm and secondly new crossings to produce germplasm outside the range of currently available germplasm.
This research area will contribute to the aims of the programme through creating new genetic combinations and at the same time maintaining populations to ensure future gains are sustainable. This research area inter-relates with other research areas by providing germplasm for key research area "Superior Genotypes" and utilises technology innovations from key research area "Integration and Optimisation".
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Superior Genotypes
Research Area Leader: Dr Luis Apiolaza
Research Area Statement
The goal of this research area is to evaluate new germplasm (from Key Research Area "New Genetic Combinations") over a wide range of conditions. Ensuring sustainable value gain is critical to determining breeding values. Through defining performance of highly ranked germplasm tested over a wide range of conditions we will be able to provide new planting stock aligned to changing market needs and manage risk associated with integration of new germplasm into future forests.
New germplasm will be tested over a range of sites and new economically important traits screened to guarantee sustainable value.
This research area is a critical part of the entire programme, both because screening and performance of new germplasm underlies the creation of new intellectual property, and to ensure sustainable gains are delivered in the future resource. This research area has critical links to the two Key Research Areas focussing on producing new germplasm ("New Genetic Combinations" and "Integration and Optimisation").
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Integration and Optimisation
Research Area Leader: Mike Riordan
Research Area Statement
The goal of this research area is to develop tools that focus the overall programme to maximise the opportunity to develop highly valued germplasm from radiata pine. The lack of tools to provide quantitative evaluation of performance and economic returns from use of improved germplasm is a major hurdle to value creation through germplasm development.
Through development of economic weight models that encompass (for example), the relationship between wood properties and end-product performance, and valuation of key traits. It will be possible to optimise investment strategies for this programme and also provide valuable decision-making systems for deployment. This research area contributes to the aims of the programme by optimising within and across all the research areas. The research area is informed by and informs all the other research areas in the programme.
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Breakthrough Technologies
Research Area Leader: Dr Mike Carson
Research Area Statement
The goal of this research area is to capture new advances in biotechnologies and other technologies in order to optimise the process of development of superior germplasm.
Biotechnology in the form of genetic markers, marker-aided selection (MAS), gene-assisted selection (GAS) and clonal propagation have the potential to increase selection efficiency. The hypothesis is that these routes will reduce cycle times and thereby effect a very early and efficient capture of genetic gains with associated economic advantages.
Through both enhancing the germplasm through manipulation of gene frequencies and employing new tools for increasing the efficiency of breeding we will increase the capture and delivery of genetic gain to forest plantations. This research area will contribute to the whole programme by improving the process of selection and propagation.
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Technical Committee 
