Project Search

Spruce trees make up 53% of Canada's forested area and contribute significantly to the $19.5 billion (2021) forestry industry. Breeding programs in BC and Quebec have been providing improved stock to maintain this highly competitive market. However, climate change and its related epidemics of insects and drought cost the Canadian forest sector hundreds of millions of dollars annually due to reduced spruce productivity.

Under this Spruce Up project, Dr. Joerg Bohlmann of the University of British Columbia and Dr. Jean Bousquet of Laval University and their teams have developed a new multi-trait genomic screening tool that will improve existing spruce tree breeding and reforestation programs by speeding up the process of breeding stronger spruce trees that are resilient to future threats of drought and pests.

To do this, high-quality reference genomes and advanced genomic resources were produced for five economically important spruce species. The team identified genes associated with insect resistance and developed biomarkers. These biomarkers allow breeders to identify spruce trees with improved resistance. The researchers also used a mix of genetics (genotype-phenotype association analyses) and tree ring data to predict which spruce trees could handle tough environmental conditions (abiotic stresses) like drought. They pinpointed key drought resistance genes and, using growth data from these trees over many years, observed that trees with these genes tended to live longer and grow better. Finally, the team found traits related to the quality of wood and how fast the trees grow. These findings are significant for British Columbia’s forestry sector as they can be used to increase the competitiveness of BC’s spruce industry and value of spruce products.

This suite of genomic information has been integrated into a new multi-trait genomic selection tool that combines pest resistance, drought resistance, wood quality and productivity biomarkers. It helps breeders quickly assess trees for these traits and select for promising trees, without waiting years for results from conventional field-phenotyping.

There are large potential economic and environmental benefits arising from this project. The research team considered Indigenous perspectives and produced adaptable economic models and decision-making tools to answer questions about the optimal socioeconomic conditions for reforestation of genetically-improved spruce stock in Canada.

The tools developed in the Spruce Up project can greatly boost conventional breeding programs by allowing breeders to produce improved, high value spruce stock and reduce losses from pests or drought. This helps Canada remain competitive in global markets now and in the future.