High Value Timber

Objective

Development of biotechnological methods for the identification, conservation, propagation and utilisation of selected curly maple trees for timber production.

Background

Wavy grain maple is one of the most expensive hardwoods in Central Europe. The wavy grain maple has a special wood structure that occurs in sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) and is very rare. The aim of this project is to develop biotechnological methods for the propagation of valuable sycamore maple material and for the long-term preservation of genetically characterised clones. In addition, studies will be carried out on the heritability and recognisability of wavy grain maple. A further aim is to clarify the causes of wavy grain phenomenon. Here, investigations are to be carried out at the genetic and epigenetic level and at the level of endophyte/pathogen screening. Building on this, an investigation method for the molecular biological detection of bolting on living trees is to be developed for the first time. The plant material found to be positive with regard to wavy grain will be used to develop an effective, commercially applicable in vitro propagation protocol with the aim of commercialising it as high-quality propagation material. 

Geldgeber

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) through the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR). Funding reference: 2221NR009B

Verbundpartner