Newsletter
- March 1998
Inside This Issue
John Doornbos
This past year as Chairman has been interesting and productive.
The interesting parts have been watching the development of opportunities
available for poplar management and meeting the many people involved
in all the aspects of poplar management. Particular to this year
has been the area of tree improvements, with a focus on biotechnology.
The agriculture sector has made some significant developments
in this area and the forest sector, especially for poplars, has
begun to learn from these and has begun to take advantage of these
opportunities. It will mean a change in our view of plantations,
trees and forests. There is an expanding dichotomy between the
increasing practice of extensive forest management on public lands
that mimics natural disturbances and the growing interest and
practice in intensively managed, short rotation, highly cultured
tree crops grown on private land. The impact on the Council will
be the requirement to serve two distinct client groups, often
within the same organization. Our vocabulary will also begin to
change, borrowing terms from the agriculture sector.
Accomplishments for the Council this year include:
- development of a Poplar Council website,
- production of the largest newsletter to date in both French
and English,
- hiring of a Technical Director in May
- attendance at two trade shows; Grande Prairie Forestry Show
in May and Canada Tree Improvement Association in Quebec City
in August,
- another successful Annual Meeting through the efforts of a
well-organized local committee
- purchase of a new computer and printer (our old 386 would
not function with our website),
- sound financial performance over the past year, primarily
from the benefit of contract revenues which, after costs, represented
over 55% of our income,
In the next year, the Council has some challenges and opportunities.
The challenge that faces us is tied to our membership and, consequently,
our finances. Our membership revenues have traditionally been
just sufficient to cover the costs of maintaining a very basic
office. A decision was made last spring to use some of our cash
reserves to contract a Technical Director on a trial basis, placing
further strain on our resources. The opportunity is that we are
well-positioned to work with and expand our membership in areas
such as poplar co-ops and biotech research opportunities.
A proposal to look at the opportunities for utilizing advanced
genetics and biotechnology for poplars in Canada is on the drawing
board. This project is a means of defining how this work should
proceed in Canada; the Poplar Council and its members could play
a lead role in this issue.
The conference call last spring with fourteen of the Council’s
Directors and Executive was very effective and demonstrated the
opportunity this form of communication provides. We will utilize
this for future Director’s meetings.
The Council will change its year end from June 30 to December
31 this year, which will make the current fiscal year (1996/97)
eighteen months long. This will reduce confusion over membership
renewals. As a result, there is no audited statement at this time
(an unaudited statement is available on request). For the fourteen
months to August 31, revenues exceeded expenses by $7,222 with
$5,955 in current accounts and $74,165 in GIC’s. The balance
of the year will see a small loss of $2,200. The projected loss
for 1998 is $8,600, based on our continued support for a Technical
Director.
Thanks to Carol Mardell and Jim Richardson for all their hard
work and support this year. Also, thanks to Canadian Forest Service
for their continued support.
Top
Jim Richardson
Background
This is the first report to the Poplar Council membership from
the new position of Technical Director which was created on a
trial basis by the Executive Committee in April of this year.
A little background information is perhaps in order. During my
years in elected office with the Poplar Council, most recently
as Chair, from which position I resigned at the Annual Meeting
in 1996, it became increasingly clear that the Council could not
function effectively solely on the basis of volunteer help. The
Directors and members of the Executive Committee all have employers
whose priorities always take precedence in respect to time commitments,
making it difficult for them to devote as much time as they might
like to Council activities.
The Council has for many years employed the services of a part-time
Executive Secretary, a position currently filled most efficiently
by Carol Mardell in Prince Albert. However, at least in recent
years, the Council has not had the services of someone who could
provide technical support to its projects.
Accordingly, when I was offered early retirement from my career
with the Canadian Forest Service, I decided to try to fill that
gap and offer my services to the Poplar Council as a part-time
technical director. Discussions with the Executive Committee took
place during the winter and an initial contract was signed in
May 1997 for the period May 1, 1997 to March 31, 1998.
Tasks
The general intent of the contract is to supply technical services
and advice to the Council, to promote awareness and support for
the Council and to increase membership. The technical director
is to undertake a variety of specific tasks, as follows:
a. help prepare profiles of corporate members, including a survey
of industry needs that could be served by PCC;
b. develop a membership directory, with an initial focus on corporate
members;
c. develop a membership information package for use in attracting
new members with a focus on corporate membership;
d. represent PCC at up to four trade shows across Canada to answer
technical enquiries and promote PCC;
e. take the lead role on behalf of PCC in the development and
coordination of the proposed Canadian Poplar Biotechnology and
Genetics Association linking industry needs to research capabilities
and pursuing research funding;
f. promote the use of the Aspen Management Information System
including, subject to suitable agreement with CFS, sales and,
if appropriate, further development of the content;
g. develop contract/partnership opportunities to raise the profile
of PCC and promote the objectives of the PCC and, through fee-for-service
work or contract administration fees, generate revenues for PCC;
h. respond to technical enquiries using E-mail, phone, fax and
mail; contribute to the PCC Newsletter and participate in the
PCC Annual Meeting.
Recognizing the limited budget of the Council, these services
are provided for a minimal level of compensation. However, incentive
payments are also possible, based on net new revenues generated
through membership dues, project work or fee-for-service work.
As technical director, I work out of an office kindly provided
by my former employer, the Science Branch of the Canadian Forest
Service (CFS) in Ottawa, which also generously provides support
services of computer, phone and fax. I devote on average two days
a week to Poplar Council business.
Progress
In the five short months since the position was established,
progress has been made on several fronts. A membership survey
questionnaire has been prepared which should enable the Council
to obtain considerable information about the interests, abilities,
services and needs of our members, particularly corporate members.
Mailing of the questionnaire, in English and French, is being
delayed pending the outcome of the Biotechnology proposal currently
being developed.
The results of the membership survey will be summarized for the
Executive Committee and for the Newsletter, particularly in relation
to the needs of members. However, the information which is collected,
particularly about corporate members, will also form the basis
for a membership directory.
A number of industry and technical associations produce such
directories which provide a means of advertising for members and
can be sold to produce additional revenue. A Poplar Council membership
directory could be used as a means to persuade others to become
members. For each member, it would provide information on products
and services offered, scale and location of operations, as well
as basic contact information.
The technical director (along with chair John Doornbos) staffed
the Poplar Council's booth at the Northern Alberta Forestry Show
in Grand Prairie, May 8-10. The booth saw a moderate volume of
traffic, amongst which people interested in logging aspen and
poplar in northern Alberta and BC predominated. A number of prospects
for membership were contacted, with subsequent follow-up calls
resulting in one new corporate membership.
More recently, the technical director represented the Council
at the biennial meeting of the Canadian Tree Improvement Association
(CTIA) in Quebec City, August 18-21. The 200 participants came
from all parts of Canada as well as many other countries. They
represented industry, government and academia. Many were keenly
interested in the genetic improvement of poplar, particularly
through biotechnology. An IUFRO symposium on tree biotechnology
was held in the same location the week before and many of the
participants in that event had stayed on for the CTIA meeting.
PCC members will be interested to learn that the first field trial
in Canada of transgenic tree material (i.e., genetically engineered
plants) was established by CFS scientists near Quebec City during
the week of the CTIA meeting - and the material was of hybrid
poplar. PCC literature was distributed during the meeting. Literature
was also distributed at the Third Biomass Conference of the Americas,
a major (400 participants) international event held in Montreal,
August 25-28.
The proposed consortium or network for Canadian poplar biotechnology
will be presented and discussed during the PCC Annual Meeting.
PCC, as an independent body representing all the interested parties,
could play a significant role in the development and coordination
of this initiative. More details on this proposal are provided
later in the newsletter.
In other activities, agreement in principle has been reached
with CFS for PCC to promote and sell the Aspen Management Information
System which was developed by CFS. In relation to contract/partnership
projects for PCC, no concrete proposals have yet emerged, but
the poplar biotechnology network is a likely source of opportunities.
Responding to technical enquiries is an ongoing activity, which
commonly provides opportunities to promote PCC membership. Some
of the technical correspondence is in relation to PCC's international
connections through the International Poplar Commission, on the
Executive Committee of which I am an elected member.
Future
The membership survey, including follow-up and analysis, as well
as the subsequent development of the membership directory, will
be the primary focus of the Technical Director this fall and winter.
Depending on decisions at this Annual Meeting and on funding opportunities,
the development and coordination of a Canadian poplar biotechnology
network could also be a major activity.
Decisions have yet to be made about involvement in future trade
shows and conferences, but PCC needs to consider carefully which
such events it wishes to be involved, and at what level, since
the cost can be quite considerable, particularly where booth rental
is concerned. Immediate financial returns cannot be guaranteed.
My present contract with PCC terminates at the end of March.
At that time, the Executive Committee will need to evaluate what
has been delivered and determine whether the contract should be
renewed, and if so, on what basis and with what objectives. My
experience to date as Technical Director has been positive. I
have been in contact with many people regarding poplars and PCC.
It is a pleasure to work with the Executive, particularly the
Chair, John Doornbos, and with our efficient and effective Executive
Secretary, Carol Mardell. For the first time in its history, Poplar
Council has staff working in both the east and the west.
Top
Carol Mardell
Since last year’s AGM, we have worked on the projects suggested
at the meeting and in the conference calls that have been held.
Our home page on the Internet was set up and is still under construction.
There were some problems initially. A second person was contracted
to do the design and has done an excellent job. It covers these
topics: How To Join; Who We are; What We Do; Where We Are; Newsletter
Highlights; and Links To Other Sites. In the future we will have
an updated publications list and a bulletin board. We have had
a few inquiries as a result of this and a possible new membership.
Since June 1, 1997, the page has been accessed 206 times. Check
it out, if you haven’t already done so, and e-mail your comments
or suggestions.
The newsletter was mailed out in the spring. It was one of the
largest that we have had, with twenty-four pages. It was in both
English and French. It took longer to accomplish, than we had
anticipated. We basically started from scratch because there was
no consistent format over the years. It was the first newsletter
that John and I had worked on and was a joint effort. We had help
with the translation from Jim Richardson and Jean-François Côté.
Their help was very much appreciated. It covered the presentations
from the 1996 AGM and reports from the executive. Now that we
have a basic format, the next newsletters should not take as long
to set up.
In the new year, we have also had a contract to provide administrative
and organizational services for the Aboriginal Business Partnerships
In Forestry Conference that was held in Saskatoon from February
26-27, 1997. This was arranged through CFS in Edmonton and also
covered additional project work.
We have had conference calls for the Executive on January 14,
1997 and for the Board of Directors on February 28, 1997. We had
fourteen participants in the last call with a lot of good discussion.
The membership this year has been slow in renewing. A notice
was included with the newsletter and with the AGM97 package mail
out. A separate notice was mailed in September. At the present
time, we have 114 members with 20 corporate, 48 affiliates, 43
individuals and 3 students.
Top
Jim Richardson
Ariane Plourde, Manager, Tree Biotechnology and Genetics Network,
Canadian Forest Service, Laurentian Forestry Centre, Sainte-Foy,
Quebec, began by presenting a brief outline of the mission and
programs of the Canadian Forest Service Network on Tree Biotechnology
and Advanced Genetics. The Network mission is to generate knowledge
and technology based on life processes that apply to the improvement
of quality, productivity and health of trees, and their utilization
within ecologically and genetically sound principles. There are
four component programs: advanced genetics, genetic engineering,
conifer somatic embryogenesis, and deployment strategies for genetically
improved trees. The former CFS emphasis on tree breeding has been
replaced by a focus on genetics and biotechnology.
Dr. Plourde saw a need to increase forest productivity in the
future through tree farming, which would be complementary to the
emphasis on sustainable development. Increased productivity could
be obtained through an increased intensity of management with
hybrid poplar. Currently, natural stands of poplar have a productivity
of about 2.5 m3/ha/yr. By planting selected native clones, this
can be increased to 3.3 m3/ha/yr, but through tree farming of
hybrid clones, 10 m3/ha/yr could be produced. In this way, we
can do more with a smaller land base and leave a much greater
area for biodiversity and other natural forest 'products'.
A Canadian poplar biotechnology cooperative could draw research
closer to the needs of clients. It would be a good technology
transfer tool. Resources could be combined to increase the amount
of research. Training aspects could be included as Canadian expertise
is increased. Higher visibility would be given to this research
field. A cooperative could provide expertise in genetics and breeding,
solutions to biotic problems, the potential for increased productivity,
as well as other benefits.
Pierre Charest, Chief, Marketing and Partnerships, Science Branch,
Canadian Forest Service, Ottawa ON, elaborated on how a Canadian
poplar biotechnology cooperative could meet the perceived needs
of clients. It would permit the rapid development of elite genotypes.
Work would be concentrated on Canadian climatic conditions. The
cooperative would complement existing collaborative organizations
such as the Tree Genetics Engineering Research Co-op (TGERC) based
at Oregon State University, the Plant Molecular Genetics Network
(PMN) based at the University of Washington, and the Western Boreal
Aspen Cooperative (WBAC). There would be coordination of the presently
small, dispersed Canadian research effort in this field. Finally,
funds could be levered effectively.
There are existing strengths which increase the likelihood of
success with a cooperative. A good nucleus of scientists working
on poplar biotechnology exists in Canada. The research facilities
in which they work could act as incubators for further research.
The Poplar Council of Canada can provide much needed coordination.
Several poplar-using industries have already indicated their interest
in a Canadian cooperative. A source of funds exists in the federal
National Biotechnology Strategy (soon to become the Canadian Biotechnology
Strategy).
Dr. Charest described several next steps which would need to
be taken to make a Canadian poplar biotechnology strategy a reality.
A study of other related research consortia and of the legal requirements
surrounding establishment of a cooperative had already been undertaken
for CFS through the FAAR Biotechnology Group Incl. of Ottawa.
Following a consultation phase with all parties, a proposal for
funding would be submitted to the National Biotechnology Strategy
Fund. Once more substantive information on the level of industry
interest has been gathered, a meeting of all poplar scientists
could be convened.
A proposal has been prepared by the Poplar Council to determine
the degree of interest in Canada in establishing a cooperative
and to develop a plan of action for further development. That
proposal, developed by Jim Richardson, explores the cooperative
idea with Poplar Council corporate industrial members and other
Canadian poplar-using companies to determine the level of interest
and the research priorities perceived by industry. This would
be done through a survey with personal visits to companies. Potential
research partners would also be surveyed to gauge the level of
interest in a cooperative and to quantify the research capabilities
which could be obtained by the cooperative. The results of these
surveys would be collated and analyzed and used as the basis for
preparing a plan for further action toward the development and
establishment of a cooperative. The plan would include analyzes
of industry priorities and research capabilities, a proposed basic
structure for the cooperative, proposed research priorities which
might be addressed, a list of potential members, potential budget,
and a list of existing strengths to be built on, as well as, key
issues and problems requiring resolution. The proposal called
for the plan to be prepared by the end of January.
A number of points were raised in discussion. Some redeployment
of research capabilities might be possible, given the present
concentration of CFS biotechnology resources in Quebec. The National
Biotechnology Strategy Fund represents a significant funding resource
for tree biotechnology - presently $1 million a year. There was
concern about the wide geographic range across Canada and the
different objectives and needs of industry across the country,
which could make it difficult to satisfy everybody. Raising awareness
would also be a key objective of the cooperative. MacMillan Bloedel
expressed interest in a Canadian cooperative, but felt its work
should benefit the company and complement the work of TGERC; help
with Canadian regulatory processes would be valuable - others
agreed. MacMillan Bloedel was also not so concerned about the
need for regional focus, but pointed to the clear focus and simple
structure of PMN and TGERC. It would be important for the cooperative
to have a focus; it would be unable to do everything for everybody,
and would be better to do one or two things and be very successful
with those, then build on this success. In the industry survey,
which was seen as an essential first step, personal visits were
seen as very important. Narinder Dhir proposed that a few key
investors might start the cooperative and provide some leverage,
but it was seen that members joining a cooperative early would
have problems with others joining later and expecting to share
all the benefits. There was some discussion about whether the
cooperative should operate out of one centre only (as PMN and
TGERC) or from several locations.
It was agreed to establish a small steering committee for the
further development of the cooperative, including the survey and
plan of action. This was to include Cees van Oosten (MacMillan
Bloedel), Wayne Young (Domtar, Cornwall), Al Robertson (Alpac)
and a university representative (probably Jean Bousquet of Universite
Laval). The group would be called together by Ariane Plourde and
Pierre Charest. In the industry survey, companies other than poplar
users would also be included.
Top
Peter McAuliffe
Poplar Farms Division MB Paper Ltd.
(604)853-9693
Introduction
This paper describes a generalized management system for hybrid
poplars in pulpwood rotations of nine to twelve years on farm
land or converted forest land on the west coast. It is presented
in the program to help those without management experience to
visualize the many activities that take place throughout a rotation
so that the tour field stops can be better understood.
Site Selection
Select level-to-rolling (max. 5% slopes) land with fine to medium-textured
soils with moderate or better drainage. Avoid saline, poorly-drained,
excessively well-drained and acid (pH lower than 5.5) soil conditions.
Cultural Techniques
Hybrid poplars are grown much the same way as perennial row crops,
like raspberries. Fields must be fully prepared and free of weed
growth.
Prior to planting, plant rows are shanked and hilled on a ten
foot spacing. Trees are manually planted at regular spacing within
the plant rows. 45 cm unrooted cuttings of selected hybrid clones
are placed deeply into the prepared plant rows before bud break
in the spring. The first year of growth is called "Rising-One"
(R1).
After planting, weed control must be maintained via chemical
or mechanical means. Pre-emergent herbicides applied to the plant
rows around the time of planting keep competing weed species at
bay until the cuttings get large enough to effectively compete
with them. Glyphosphate may be applied between the tree rows to
remove weeds, but guards must be used to prevent the susceptible
poplars from being killed. At this time, only glyphosphate herbicide
is registered for use on hybrid poplars in Canada.
Poplar crops are usually disked two to four times between the
plant rows during the first and second growing seasons. In the
second year, the trees are two meters or more in height, so weeding
is not as critical. Good weed control in the first two years is
essential for maintaining high productivities. Care must be taken
to exclude grasses, as they very competitive with poplars and
they provide a habitat for mice and voles. Rodents like to chew
on the root collars of young poplars in the winter when there’s
nothing else to eat and this girdles and kills the trees. Fortunately,
good weed control eliminates rodent habitat since without adequate
cover they are prey to raptors and coyotes. By the third year
the crowns of the poplars have grown together and no further weed
control is required.
On sites with low nutrient status, the incorporation of soil-deficient
nutrients (as determined through soil and foliar testing) will
boost the growth rate. Re-fertilization in year two or three may
be necessary to maintain growth rates. Organic fertilizers may
also be used, but these are more difficult and expensive to apply.
Some fill-planting may be required in R2 (the second growing
season) to replace failed trees, but 1.8m unrooted "whips"
are used so that the re-planted trees can catch up.
Sometime before R3 (the third growing season), all trees with
multiple tops or competing lateral branches need to be singled.
This is normally done in R1 with hand pruners.
Poplar crops must be monitored closely so that prompt corrective
action may be taken in response to pest or disease outbreaks and
in response to weed encroachment or environmental damage.
Harvesting
Hybrid poplars are ready for harvest between the ages of nine
and twelve years, depending on the spacing chosen, the richness
of the site, and the amount of care the crop is given. Harvesting
is done with automated equipment that allows for efficient handling
of small stems. For smaller acreages, hand falling and skidding
to a central landing with a farm tractor is possible.
Logs may be delivered to a sortyard or chipped in the field and
trucked or barged to the mill.
Crop Replacement
After harvesting, the residual roots may be lifted with an excavator
and piled. Alternatively, they could be sprayed with a herbicide
to kill them, followed by heavy-disking to break them up and punch
them back into the ground, leaving the site ready for planting
the next crop.
Top
R. D. Hallman
P. Ag. BC Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
(250)428-3255
Hybrid Poplar is a new cropping alternative available to owners
of farm land in BC. Plantings of this tree are expected to expand
rapidly from the current 1,000 hectares to 10,000 hectares in
the next 5 years. In 1995, the BC Assessment Authority reclassified
Hybrid Poplar as an agricultural crop, it now qualifies for low
agricultural land taxation rates. This crop grows best on the
most productive soils available and requires intensive cultural
management for the first few years of the 8 to 12 year rotation.
The ability of Hybrid Poplar to use large volumes of water and
nutrient make it of value for effluent disposal systems. Profitability
of this crop is comparable to forage production when grown for
pulp, as demand grows for Poplar wood products profitability will
increase.
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Clonal Development for the
Lower Columbia River Valley: an Industrial Approach to Poplar
Genetic Improvement
Brian J. Stanton
Fort James Corporation
(360)834-8342
The Lower Columbia River Fiber Farm’s clonal development
efforts presently emphasize a short-term improvement approach
while recurrent breeding populations are being formed. These are
focused on the first hybrid generation of Populus trichocarpa
and P. deltoides to provide for near-term substitution of the
lowest-ranking clones in the present deployment pool, as well
as to replace those lost to evolving rust pathotypes and those
prone to wind throw. Although parental breeding stock is recruited
from the same generation as the one from which today’s production
clones were bred, gains are expected nonetheless, due to an increase
in selection intensity that accumulates over the many years that
interspecific hybrid populations are produced and evaluated. The
F1 generation is recreated annually using relatively small-sized
factorials to accommodate a set of 48 parental selections. Each
year’s base population is then evaluated using a series of
field plots spanning 10 years during which the number of entries
decreases with a concomitant increase in replication and test
rotation. Disease resistance is given priority during the initial
test stages, while metric traits are emphasized during the latter
stages. Five thousand, eight hundred and twelve (5,812) F1 genotypes
representing eight base populations are currently under observation
at various test stages. Superior clones will be released to operations
on an annual basis beginning in 1999 when the first yield trials
conclude.
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Jake Eaton
Plant Materials Manager
Potlatch Corporation
Hybrid Poplar Program, Boardman OR
(541)481-2620
Potlatch Corporation is in the fourth year of converting 9,000
hectares (22,000 acres) of Northeast Oregon center-pivot irrigated
farmland to hybrid poplar. Conversion of this acreage will take
place over a six-year period with approximately 1,500 hectares
(3,800 acres) of new plantations established annually. The farm
will provide a sustainable annual production of fiber beginning
in the year 2000 and furnish 20% of the chip fiber for Potlatch’s
Pulp and Paperboard operations located at Lewiston, Idaho.
The Columbia River provides a stable source of irrigation water
that in combination with the area’s long sunny days, sandy
loam soils, and 185 day frost-free growing season, creates an
ideal environment for intensive poplar culture. Drip irrigation
allows efficient delivery of water, fertilizer, and some pesticides
to individual trees. State-of-the-art filtration, pumping, and
water delivery systems are used to run the 200,000 gallon per
minute irrigation system.
Farming activities focus on field conversion to drip irrigation,
planting stock and clonal propagation, and plantation establishment
and development. Conversion and site preparation activities involve
pivot removal, field leveling, soil ripping, and incorporation
of pre-emergent herbicide. A rigorous clonal testing program from
breeding new material to selections for operational deployment
results in new clonal material that is mass propagated at contract
stoolbeds. Post planting activities include herbicide and manual
release, cultivation, and pest monitoring.
Currently, 5,000 hectares (12,500 acres) are under management
and irrigation system construction is underway on the 1,500 hectares
(3,800 acres) scheduled for planting in 1998. Mid-rotation tree
performance is meeting expectations, and production levels of
a minimum of 90 bone dry tonnes of clean pulp chips per hectare
(40 tons per acre) are realistic with a six-year rotation.
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R. van den Driessche
New Dendrology Inc., Victoria BC
(250)477-4134
Populus trichocarpa x P. deltoides hybrids grow well along the
lower Columbia and Fraser rivers without fertilization, but are
known to respond to nitrogen (N) fertilization in Washington.
On eastern Vancouver Island planting sites are drier than the
alluvial river soils and drought tolerance is important. On these
sites response to phosphorus (P) fertilization is obtained in
the year of planting, and N fertilization is also necessary to
achieve satisfactory growth. There are at least 10 scientists,
including graduate students, who have, or are working on mineral
nutrition of poplar in BC. The work ranges from a study of the
nutrient characteristics of P. trichocarpa in wild stands, through
field experiments with mineral fertilizers, to tests of sewage
effluent and biosolids from poplars. Measurements of water use
in the field are being made, the physiological effects of mineral
nutrients on drought resistance have been examined in several
clones, and the genetic relationships between hybrid families
and mineral nutrition are being investigated. Poplar farm management
of MacMillan Bloedel recognizes the importance of amending plantation
sites on Vancouver Island to obtain adequate mineral nutrition,
and is developing prescriptions and techniques for applying necessary
nutrients, that are economically and environmentally acceptable.
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Presented by Richard Meilan
Forest Science Dept., OSU, Corvallis OR
(541)737-6097
Contributors - Kyung-Hwan Han (Kumho Life & Env. Sci, Kwangju,
Korea), Caiping Ma, Rosalind James & Steve Strauss (For Sci
Dept., OSU), Ron Crockett (Monsanto, Vancouver WA), Jake Eaton
(Potlatch Corp., Boardman OR), Ernie Hoien (Fort James Corp.,
Clatskanie OR), Mary Taylor, Glenn Rogan & Larry Holden (Monsanto,
St. Louis MO), Brian Stanton (Fort James Corp., Camas WA)
Ineffective weed control in young cottonwood plantations can
strongly reduce both growth and survival. Herbicide-resistant
trees should increase the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of vegetation
control, which is critical to the profitability of cottonwood
fiber farming. Using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and
indirect shoot organogenesis, we produced 79 lines of transgenic
poplars that contain glyphosphate-resistance genes. These lines
are being field-tested on both the east and west sides of the
Cascade Mountains in Oregon. Second-year results indicate high
levels of tolerance to Roundup® in several lines, four of which
appear to suffer no growth reduction even when sprayed at rate
of 9.4 liters/hectare (4 quarts/acre) Roundup Pro™. Measurements
of transgene protein levels are currently underway.
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Brian Barber, R.P.F. BC Ministry of Forests (250)356-6207
The Forest Practices Code of BC requires all seed and vegetative
material, used to meet reforestation objectives stated within
a silviculture prescription, to be registered with the Ministry
of Forests. The intent of registration is to ensure the integrity
of the source information and the adaptation of reforestation
materials to their planting sites through the application of transfer
guidelines.
New technical standards for the registration of seed and vegetative
lots derived from seed orchards and production facilities were
introduced June 11, 1997. These standards address transferability,
genetic diversity, genetic worth and field testing requirements.
Unlike other lots, all hybrid poplar clones propagated by a single
production facility may be registered as a single vegetative lot.
The producer, however, must maintain records of individual clones
retained at the facility and provided to clients. Identity of
individual clones may be kept confidential if so requested. Individual
clones, therefore, do not need to be registered but should be
deployed in accordance with Ministry recommendations to ensure
their stability. Hybrid poplars are also exempt from the genetic
diversity standards and consequently may be deployed as clonal
mixes or clonal blocks.
Licencing of producers of vegetatively propagated materials will
also be introduced this coming year by the Ministry.
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Mike Van Ham, Sylvis Environmental, (604) 294-9243
Jonn Braman & Arlene Daniels,Greater Vancouver Regional District,
(604) 451-6185
Municipal biosolids are generated as a by-product in wastewater
treatment, and can be used as a source of plant essential nutrients
and organic matter in the fertilization of short rotation hybrid
poplar. Previous research conducted on hybrid poplar has demonstrated
that significant increases in growth can be achieved through fertilization.
In this study, biosolids from GVRD's treatment plants and paper
fibres from Scott Paper Limited's mill are being applied to fertilize
hybrid poplar trees on Scott Paper Limited’s Tree Farm Licence.
The research being conducted on Carey Island is designed to assess
nitrogen cycling, refine application rates, and monitor tree and
understory vegetation growth.
Target
(kg N/ha) |
Wet Tonnes
/ha |
Dry Tonnes
/ha |
Control |
0 |
0 |
500 |
70.8 |
20.6 |
1000 |
130.2 |
37.9 |
2000 |
273.8 |
79.1 |
4000 |
520.8 |
151.6 |
Paper Fibre |
728 |
187.8 |
The study site is located on a hybrid poplar plantation planted
March, 1992 on Carey Island in the Fraser River (TFL #43 - Scott
Paper Limited) near Chilliwack, BC. Six treatments were identified,
each consisting of six rows of trees separated by a buffer row.
These treatments were then separated into three blocks to remove
possible variations in soil moisture. Within the blocks, the treatments
were either surface applied and left, or surface applied and incorporated
into the soil. The application rates were made on a nitrogen budget
basis as shown. Applications were made in August, 1994 using a
standard farm manure spreader, and incorporation was completed
by a tractor driven rotovator.
Nitrogen mineralization, leaching, denitrification, volatile
ammonia losses and soil storage were measured. Poplar diameter
and height growth was measured annually. Foliar nutrient analysis
was conducted one year following application. Significant increases
in N, P and K were noted in the hybrid foliage. Incorporation
of the biosolids resulted in elevated foliar N over that of the
surface applications. Three years following the single application,
significant increases in height, diameter and tree volume were
observed.
Top
Notes on field tours offered in conjunction with the Annual
Meeting of the Poplar Council of Canada
Campbell River BC October 1-3, 1997
Jim Richardson
(613)947-9021
In conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the Council held in
Campbell River BC, a two-and-a-half day field tour was offered
to view poplar farming activities in coastal British Columbia.
The visits highlighted the plantations and operations of MacMillan
Bloedel Poplar Farms Division in north-central Vancouver Island,
and of Scott Paper in the Fraser Valley east of Vancouver. These
are arguably the most intensively managed poplar plantations in
Canada at present and the tour attracted considerable interest
and discussion from the 87 participants in the meeting.
MacMillan Bloedel became interested in growing hybrid poplar
about ten years ago as a means of improving fibre supply to its
mills. The Poplar Farms Division operates both on Vancouver Island
and in the State of Washington where good agricultural land is
more available and there are fewer restrictions on the use of
chemical herbicides than in Canada. On Vancouver Island, poplar
farms are sometimes established on converted forest land. The
focus is on hybrids of Populus trichocarpa and P. deltoides grown
under intensive management on rotations of eight to ten years.
The management regimes include intensive site preparation, sometimes
involving drainage and subsoiling, as well as slash piling, fencing
to exclude deer and elk, and discing. Cuttings are planted by
hand following pre-emergent weed control. Weeds are controlled
actively for two years after planting, primarily by inter-row
discing. Applying NPK fertilizer in bands between rows at or after
planting is beneficial, especially on converted forest land. Stems
are singled in the field when still small, and replanting, when
necessary, is done with 1.8 m whips early in the second year.
MacMillan Bloedel expects to begin harvesting the poplar farms
in 2004.
The field visits on Vancouver Island illustrated all stages of
plantation management to date and highlighted some of the research
which has been undertaken as well as the problems which the Poplar
Farms Division is facing. Intensive site preparation has proved
to be essential. In converting forest sites, excavators are used
to remove stumps and debris, bulldozers to move material to predetermined
locations, and subsoilers to improve root penetration and soil
moisture retention. The use of polyethylene mulch mats has been
shown to improve early height growth. Early and repeated weed
control has been found to promote plantation growth. Vision (glyphosate)
is the post-planting herbicide used in BC operations. More than
two applications are not considered cost-effective.
Clonal screening and clonal trials are ongoing and have led to
the conclusion that clonal choices can not be made too early in
the selection process even with such short rotations. Hybrids
of P. trichocarpa x maximowiczii are tested as well as P. deltoides
x trichocarpa and P. trichocarpa x deltoides.
Fertilizer trials have been established and are being evaluated
with the help of the computer model FORECAST. This will assess
the sustainability of short-rotation hybrid poplar in terms of
stand productivity, site nutrient capital and soil organic matter
levels.
Plantation density trials have been established in conjunction
with the BC Forest Service Kalamalka Research Station and Scott
Paper. Three years after planting, high planting density had virtually
no effect on average height, but close spacing had a slight negative
effect on diameter growth.
A number of diseases are of concern in the MacMillan Bloedel
plantations. These include a leaf rust (Melampsora medusae), Venturia
leaf and shoot blight(Venturia populina), a leaf spot disease
(Septoria populicola) and another leaf blight (Linospora tetraspora).
Clonal trials are investigating the degree of resistance to these
diseases in different clones. Weather and climate are also important
factors influencing disease incidence. Other biotic factors which
can cause problems include poplar sawflies which can cause defoliation,
voles which may girdle young trees and beaver which may destroy
older trees. Windfall can be a problem where trees have been previously
weakened by disease.
Scott Paper began its poplar farming activities on productive
bottomlands in the Fraser Valley (mainly islands in the Fraser
River) in the late 1950's and early 1960's to meet increasing
pulp requirements. There is also some interest in growing poplar
for veneer. Cottonwood (P. trichocarpa) and Euramericana hybrid
poplars are planted at a variety of spacings from 2.5 m x 2.5
m to 4.8 m x 4.8 m. In the older-established plantations, rotation
lengths of up to 25 to 33 years are anticipated. In the last 10
years, however, more intensive, short-rotation culture has also
been used, with anticipated rotations as short as six to eight
years.
Scott Paper operates under a Tree Farm Licence on Crown Land.
Reductions for fisheries and wildlife constraints, non-productive
and inaccessible types reduce the area of effective operation
to about 40%. However, about half the company operations are on
private land on which there are fewer restrictions.
Scott Paper operates its own nursery for the production of poplar
planting material. In the earlier plantations, large-size whips
were preferred to overcome the severe competition from ground
vegetation on the rich planting sites. More recently, 45 cm rooted
or unrooted cuttings have been used. The company has cooperated
with other entrepreneurs in the Fraser Valley on environmental
improvement projects. Trials of fertilization with hog farm effluent
have been established with very successful results, in terms of
disposal of the effluent and improved growth of poplars. Plantations
have also been established on land reclamation sites.
Both MacMillan Bloedel and Scott Paper take advantage of the
expertise of other companies and research agencies in the Pacific
Northwest which are involved in poplar farming, by participating
in poplar cooperative organizations. Both companies are active
members in the Poplar Molecular Genetics Cooperative (PMGC) based
at the University of Washington. MacMillan Bloedel is also a member
of the Tree Genetic Engineering Research Cooperative (TGERC) based
at Oregon State University. These cooperatives are working on
biotechnology and advanced genetics as means of improving poplar
growing.
Sincere appreciation is expressed to the dedicated, hard-working
staff of MacMillan Bloedel Poplar Farms Division and Scott Paper
Ltd. for their efforts in organizing and hosting an extremely
interesting and informative series of field visits, despite the
unusually wet weather which had prevailed for some weeks prior
to the visits and continued throughout the week of the annual
meeting. Particular thanks must be given to Cees van Oosten, Peter
McAuliffe and Dan Gordon.
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