My research is largely focused on the field of genetics of wood and fibre traits and the contents of wood chemicals in mainly Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). When studying these wood quality traits I have worked very much with fast indirect and non-destructive techniques. Wood traits in focus have been wood density, fibre dimensions, modulus of elasticity, microfibril angle and chemical content, among which I concentrated on the content of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and wood extractives.

Main aims have been: i) to evaluate genetic parameters for and wood and fibre traits and their relationships, and thereby estimate their breeding potential, ii) to estimate the genetic correlations between wood quality traits and growth traits for evaluating the possibilities to include them in breeding programs, iii) to evaluate indirect techniques for measuring wood quality traits, e.g. acoustic velocity, X-ray, optical measurement of fibre sizes (Kajaani Fiber analyzer), wood penetration resistance (resistograph and pilodyn instrument) and chemical analyses with spectroscopic techniques and iv) to determine the distribution of wood and fibre traits and their genetic parameters vertically and radially in the tree, and thereby evaluate genetic parameters on whole tree level.

Left: Measurement of acoustic velocity in a lodgepol pine progeny test; Right: 10-mm increment core of Scots pine for analysis

I take also part in a project at the department working with molecular techniques (genome-wide association study, GWAS, association mapping and SNP array) for re-sequencing the Norway spruce genome and for population genetic study of the species. My part here is to organize the field work (collection of material, measurements etc.) and to contribute with my experience of the Swedish field test resources.

The wood in our forest trees has a complex structure with juvenile wood and mature wood, and also earlywood and latewood. These different components have their own characteristics. Forest products get an increasing importance and can be used for new type of products as we learn better how to use the different components. At the same time are the wood and fibre traits strongly genetically inherited and they are thus suitable for including in breeding programs. The most generally stated negative phenotypic and genetic correlation between volume growth and wood density is, however, a challenge.

Distribution of fibres and other particles in length classes for indirectly estimating fibre length in Scots pine.

Svensk sammanfattning