oIncorporated Administrative Agency
Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute
Forest Tree Breeding Center
Forest Bio-Research Center

Professionals in forestand development
Forest Tree Breeding Center (FTBC) and Forest Bio-Research Center (FBRC),
both have been engaged in forest tree breeding by development of geneticallysuperior varieties, speed-up breeding process through high-tech application,collection and conservation/preservation of genetic materials,
and international technical cooperation on forest tree breeding in the world.
Plus-tree Saeki No. 3【The largest institute of forest tree breeding in Japan】•

FTBC, the largest center of forest tree breeding in Japan, has developed more than
2,400 new genetically superior varieties of forest tree species.
FTBC is also serving as a core organization for the distribution of new varieties ofclones to the local government seed/scion orchards which are functioning as theauthorized regional seed/scion supply centers for private nurseries.
There are 5 Breeding Regions in Japan. Breeding regions are set up considering
climate conditions, tree species and administration areas of the national forest andprefectural governments.
FBRC has conducted studies to develop the techniques necessary for shortening
breeding periods of forest trees by using biotechnologies.
As one of the world’s prime research institute in forest tree breeding, FTBC is leading in
the research and development of pine wilt nematode resistant varieties and pollen free/ less pollen varieties, and snow damage tolerant varieties, which other countries havenot developed yet.
FTBC is carrying out its R/D taking due consideration of regional climate differences
and associated species diversity with four regional breeding offices, i.e. Hokkaido,
Tohoku, Kansai and Kyushu, and Iriomote tropical forest tree breeding garden where
tropical and sub-tropical forest tree species are main targeted species.

•

•

•
•

F
e
a
t
u
r
e
s

•

【The only forest tree gene bank in Japan】••

FTBC is the only forest tree species gene bank, and the scale of gene stock in forest
tree species is the largest in Japan.
Our conservation/preservation forms in national forests are classified into three types,
i.e. standing tree (30,000 varieties), seed (12,000 varieties), pollen (4,200 varieties) andDNA (400 varieties).

【Advanced research facilities in leading forest tree breeding R/D】••••

Advanced research for speed-up breeding process development of genetically superiorvarieties by using genetic engineering research facility.
Developing 3rd generation plus-tree by using crossing (hybridization) greenhouse.
Conservation/preservation of seeds and pollen in forest tree gene bank storing facilities
have been investigated.
The largest specific net house and GMO isolation field have been utilized for genetic
engineering.

tree breeding research

Development of new varieties

Collection and conservation/preservationof forest tree genetic resources

01

International technical cooperation【Development of new varieties】•Varieties superior in growth and wood quality (fast growth, trunk straightness and strength)•Varieties of pollen allergies (pollen free and less pollen)•Varieties superior in resistance against damages (pine wilt nematode and snow damage tolerance)

Development strategy of new varieties and their outputs ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 1
Procedure of forest tree breeding projects ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 2
Development of varieties superior in growth and wood quality ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 3
Development of pollen free and less pollen varieties ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 7Development of pine wilt nematode resistant varieties ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 9

M
a
i
n
t
a
s
k
s

DNA-based traceability system of plus-trees ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 11

02

Biotechnology in forest tree breeding ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 12【Collection and conservation / preservation offorest tree genetic resources】

03•Breeding materials for new varieties of cedar, cypress, etc.
•Endangered tree species and natural heritage trees (part of the National Biodiversity Strategy)

The only forest tree gene bank in Japan ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 13
Status of conservation / preservation of forest tree genetic resources ・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 13
Outline of forest tree gene bank program ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 14【International technical cooperation】
・International technical cooperation and collaborative research for climate change adaptation, etc.
International technical cooperation and collaborative research ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 15
Information on advanced breeding techniques from oversea ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ 16

Advanced research facilities in leading forest tree breeding R/D ・・・・・・ 17

【Development of new varieties】

Development strategy of new varieties and their outputs
Varieties superior in growth and wood quality
・9,000 individuals from cedar, cypress, pineand others were selected as plus-trees andhave been conserved / preserved
・287 individuals out of plus-trees have beenfurther selected as new varieties with good
growth and trunk straightness
・646 cedar clones, 311 cypress clones and
134 larch clones, 50 sakhalin fir clones and4 gmelini larch clones have been selectedby crossing between plus-tree clones
・229 less twisted larch varieties have been
selected
・226 cedar clones, 58 cypress clones, 94
larch clones (including 1 gmelini larch clone)and 29 Sakhalin fir clones have been
designated as ‘Specified Mother Tree’ by
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries of Japan

Varieties superior in environmental and otherservices
・Pollen free cedar :24 varieties
・Less pollen cedar(less than 1% pollen production) :147varieties
・Less pollen cypress :55varieties
・Low pollen cedar(low amount of male strobilus) :16 varieties
・Cedar with pollen free gene :2 varieties
Varieties superior in resistance against
diseases/pests attack or severe weather conditions
・ Pine wilt nematode resistance :590 varieties
・ Snow damage tolerance :46 varieties
Application of high technology to forest tree
breeding
・ Development of genetic engineering techniques forgenetic recombination, genome editing and tissue culture

Status of dissemination of the improved varieties :About 70% of seedlings／saplings for forest
planting are from the improved varieties( cedar, cypress, red pine and black pine, )Forest tree breeding and its history
Nurturing rich and beautiful forests through artificial planting will require genetically superior seedlings /saplings which can grow under severe natural environments over several decades.
In Japan, preliminary trials related to tree breeding will be found in Obi and Hita areas in Kyusyu.
People in those areas have selected plus-trees and propagated saplings from plus-trees scions formore than 400 years. The national-based tree breeding program started around 60 years ago.
In 1954, Forestry Agency launched a nationwide project of plus-trees selection for timber production
increase and enhancement of multiple functions from planted forests.
As a core implementing organization for tree breeding in Japan, the first Forest Tree Breeding Stations
were established under Forestry Agency in 1957.
As a part of the structural reform of the central government, Forest Tree Breeding Center became anincorporated administrative agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 2001.
Furthermore, in 2007, Forest Tree Breeding Center merged into Forestry and Forest Products ResearchInstitute which is also an incorporated administrative agency. Forest Tree Breeding Center (FTBC) andForest Bio-Research Center (FBRC) were established under Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute(FFPRI) in 2017.
The tree breeding program has been initiated from plus-trees selection project, then with thereflections of emerging damages/problems inside and outside forests, pine wilt nematode resistantvarieties, snow damage tolerant varieties, pollen free / less pollen varieties have been also developed.
1

Procedure of forest tree breeding projects
To sustain the efforts of tree breeding and make a good forest planting for several generations,forest tree breeding projects are promoted by two groups, “Breeding population” for mainstream
tree breeding and “Production population” to produce seedlings for reforestation.
“Breeding population” is composed of plus-tree clones that are superior in character such as
form, growth, etc. Extensive crossing and selection are performed for the selection of secondand later generation of plus-trees.
“Production population” is composed of trees selected from “Breeding population” and they aregood varieties for forest maintenance. ‘Specified Mother Tree’ which is superior in growth, isdesignated by Minister of MAFF, in according with a law ”the Act on Special Measures Concerning
Advancement of Implementation of Forest Thinning” for future forest improvement. Superiorvarieties are developed for local needs including pine wilt nematode resistance, snow damage
tolerance and pollen free / less pollen.

Relationship between plus-trees, specified mother tree and superior varieties

Breeding population

Production population
Seedlings for reforestation

3rd generation plus-trees
Selection↑
Crossing↑
Evaluation(the Act on Special Measures
Concerning Advancement of
Implementation of Forest Thinning)

Application

Specified Mother Trees(designate by Minister of MAFF)

2nd generation
C plus-trees
Selection↑
Crossing↑
Evaluation

1st generation plus-trees
Resistant candidate trees

Development

Meeting tolocal needs

Superior varieties
・Pollen free / less pollen
・Pine wilt nematode resistance・Snow damage tolerance(selected from severely
damaged area)2

【Development of new varieties】【Development of new varieties】

Development of varieties superior in growth and quality
1. Selection of plus-trees
Approximately 9,000 trees have been selected as plus-trees from the national forests, which are
30% or more superior in volume and growth compared to adjacent three large trees.
In the plus-trees, there are some trees that include individual of fast growth, trunk straightness and good wood
quality that support forest breeding projects. The number of conifer plus-trees in Japan is as follows.

Cedar
CypressRed Pine
Black Pine
Larch
Sakhalin Spruce
Yezo Spruce
Sakhalin Fir
Luchu Pine
OthersNumber of conifer plus-trees

2. Evaluation of plus-trees trait
Progeny test forests are examinations of how plus-trees are genetically superior. Clones andseedlings of plus-trees are reforested. Currently, 1,800 progeny test forests, (Each one is from
1ha to 6ha, 2,400ha in total) are maintained and monitored nationwide.
FTBC is conducting periodical monitoring (each 10, 20 and 30 years) of the progeny test
forest. Collected data such as stem growth, stem truck straightness and wood quality arecompiled and evaluated, then published as “Plus-tree trait tables”.
Evaluation of plus-tree

Flowering rateof male strobilus

Rooting rateof cuttings

6

Growth40Heartwood color

General progeny test forest of cedar

Straightness

2Young’s modulus

Water content

In plus-tree trait tables, the trait-wise standard score is
calculated from the measured data.
Such standard score is converted into a five-degreeindex. Degree 5 will include 7% of the total.

33. Dissemination and propagation of second generation plus-tree clones
Developed plus-trees are preserved as foundation stock under clones management at FTBC.
These clones are propagated and provided to prefectures that establish seed orchards and scion
gardens. FTBC also implements training courses for prefectures on how to produce and manage
seed orchards and scion gardens.

FTBC
Conservation of foundation stock(Foundation stock garden)

Prefectures
Development and improvement of seed orchards
and scion gardens in prefectures

Foundation stock garden of cedar※ Miniature seed orchard of less pollen cedar variety

Propagation of 2nd generationplus-tree clones

Supply of seeds
and seedlings

Production of seedlings byseed / seedlings companies

Propagated by cutting and propagatedseedling to distribute prefectures.

Technical training course

Utilized for reforestationin Japan※Miniature seed orchard is kept on small size tree and narrow
distance. It is effective to work to cultivate seeds quickly.
Technical guidance of reforestationand management of seed orchards.

4

【Development of new varieties】

4. Selection of 2nd generation plus-trees

FTBC has reforested progeny test forests (136 sites, 81ha. in total) to select 2nd generation plustrees (2G-PT), which have superior traits such in growth performance, breeding populations havebeen established by crosses or open pollination of the 1st generation plus-tree clones. More than
9,000 crosses have been made, and the breeding populations are comprised of more than 200,000
trees. As the 2G-PT is superior in growth and can reduce the number of trees planted and weeding,
it is expected to reduce initial investment in reforestation.

Differences in growth
after plantation (16 months)
１９０cm

９０cm

Ordinary
seedling

2G-PT (5 years old, 8m in height)

2G-PT clone
seedling

HeightTree height of Cedarin Kyushu Region

Left figure shows data from test sites for the
top 10 superior 2G-PT cedar clones in the
Kyushu region.
2G-PT clones are particularly superior in
growth compared to previous varieties.
So weeding management can be reduced 1

Approximate tree height
to complete weedingor 2 times and be expected to reduce initialinvestment in reforestation.

years（Renovated Hoshi ・Kuramoto（2013））

5

【 Development of new varieties】

5. Dissemination of Specified Mother Tree(SMT)

To increase the carbon dioxide absorption capacity of forests, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries (MAFF) has designated a superior tree of growth as a “Specified Mother Tree (SMT)”
on the basis of the revised Act in 2013.
Apart from cedar and cypress, larch and other trees are designated as SMT.
MAFF encourages the use of seedlings obtained from SMT for afforestation.
FTBC has selected superior trees mainly based on 2nd generation plus-trees (2G-PT) and is
prompting dissemination of SMT to distribute from the foundation stock.

SMTs in Japan

Cedar 2G-PT(31years old)
Height:18.4m
Diameter:28c m
TohokuSakhalin Fir 2G-PT(30years old)
Height:19.9m
Diameter:26c m
Hokkaido

Larch 2G-PT(30years old)
Height:15.5m
Diameter:23c m
Kanto

Cypress 2G-PT(31years old)
Height:17.7m
Diameter:24c m
Kansai- 4years after plantation -Dissemination system of SMT
FTBC

Seedling
company

Prefecture
Distribution

Distribution

Improvement ofseed/scion orchards

Scion productionof SMT(2G-PT, etc.)

Authorized propagation company

Propagation
by cutting
and grafting

Improvementof seed/scionorchards

Forestry
company

Seedproduction

Selling

Reforestation

Seed
production

Specified propagation project

Propagation of SMT by prefecture
Propagation of SMT by company
Technical training for seed/scion orchard, etc.

Left: Cedar SMT

Right: Ordinary cedar(Less pollen)

6Development of pollen free and less pollen varieties
1. Status on the research and development

Pollen allergy has been one of the socio-medical issues in Japan. FTBC in collaboration withprefectures are carrying to develop less pollen varieties of cedar with approximately 1 % less pollen
and cypress, compare to ordinary tree from plus-tree which are superior in growth and straightness.
FTBC is also developing pollen free cedar as following which produce male strobilus like ordinary
cedar but no pollen at all.
Pollen free variety with straightness called “Soshun” is developed in 2004 and with equivalent quality
to 1st generation plus-tree clones called “Sugi-Mie-Hunen (Kansai) No.1” with developed in 2006.
Additionally, FTBC performed artificial crossings between Soshun and 1st generation plus-tree clones,
FTBC developed new pollen free varieties called “Rin-iku-Hunen No1” in 2016 and called “Rin-ikuHunen No2” in 2017.
FTBC in collaboration prefecture developed 3 pollen free varieties from 2018 to 2019. In addition,
17 more pollen free varieties were developed from 2020 to 2022.

Development of less pollen varieties of cedar and cypress
Male strobilus⇓

Male strobilus⇓

Development of pollen free variety of cedar

24 varieties ofpollen free cedar(No pollen)

One of 24 varieties has beenregistered as “Soshun” under
the Plant Variety Protectionand Seed Act

Ordinary Cedar

Ordinary cypress

Ordinary cedar

Pollen free Variety

Both these varieties
have male strobilus

Pollen less than 1 %Cross-section of a male strobilus
by microscope observation

Less pollen cedar variety（Tenryu No4)147 varieties ofless pollen cedarLess pollen cypress variety(Nishikawa No.4)

55 varieties ofless pollen cypress

Round pollen formulated inanther of male strobilus

No pollen formulated in antherof male strobilus

Supply of less pollen an pollen free varieties for propagation

7

2. Improvement of pollen free cedar by crossing with plus-tree clones

FTBC processes developing new varieties of pollen free cedar by artificial crossing between female
strobilus of Soshun (pollen free cedar) and male strobilus of 2nd generation plus-tree clones (2G-PT)
with good growth and quality.
Pollen free genome is inferior. As indicated by Mendel’s Law, the first generation (F1) makes heterotype (Aa) with pollen free genome. Crossing the same hetero type at the second generation (F2)appears pollen free type (aa).
FTBC planted F2 and examined for pollen, growth and wood property in the progeny test site. Fromthese F2 individuals, FTBC developed 2 varieties of pollen free cedar superior growth named“Rin-iku-Hunen No.1” and ”Rin-iku-Hunen No.2”.
FTBC also developed two varieties of pollen free cedar with stakeholders in 2019. They are expected
to be used as a pollen parent for future variety development and seed production in seed orchards.
Additionally, the development of DNA markers for pollen free genetic detection of Soshun has helped search hetero
genome (Aa) and develop a new variety of pollen free cedar.

Ordinary method of breeding for free pollen cedar

Plus-tree １ Soshun

SoshunNew method by using DNA marker

Plus-tree２
Rin-iku-Hunen No.1

Genotype

aa

AA

aa

Search of heterozygote
trees (Aa) with pollen
free gene by using DNA
markerAA

Genotype

Genotypeaa

Aa

Identification ofrecessive homo-zygotes(aa; pollen free) byusing DNA marker

Aa

Aa

Hetero tree withgood growth

Genotype
Frequency

Aa

Pollen free
Genotype
Frequency

SelectionAA

Selection

FTBC developed 2 varieties ofpollen free cedar with good growthand no pollen from F2 of Soshun.

Reduction of crossing generation：
2 generation➝1 generation
Reduction of time for identification of pollen free:
Several years →Several days
High accuracy identification rate：１００％

More efficient to develop new varieties of pollen free cedar

FTBC aims to develop pollen free cedar
varieties with better growth by crossing
with plus-tree clones.

Pollen free cedar ”Rin-iku-Hunen No.1”
6 years old, 6.6m in height※Almost the same as plus-tree clones

8

【Development of new varieties】

Development of pine wilt nematode resistant varieties
1. Situation of pine wilt nematode
Pine wilt nematode (Bursphelenchus xylophilus) is serious infections decease of pine trees
caused by nematodes which are about 1mm in length carried by longhorn beetles.
This disease was found around 1900, and damages have been serious since the late 1965s,
throughout western Japan.
Currently, pine wilt diseases are now being reported throughout Japan without Hokkaido.
FTBC has been carrying out research and development of pine wilt nematode resistant varieties
and 590 new varieties have been developed by 2022.

Situation ofpine wilt disease
Longhorn beetle
Longhorn beetles carry pine
wilt nematodes and fly fromone pine tree to another one.

Pine wilt nematode(From 0.6mm to 1.0mm in length)
Pine wilt nematodes invade thexylem of pine trees from an openscore of the young needle caused
by a longhorn beetle bite.
The propagated nematodes in thexylem will cause pine wilt soon.

＜History of pine wild nematode and FTBC’s activities＞
1905
1971
1978
1985

2010
2017
2018

9

First pine wilt disease reported in Nagasaki prefecture
FFPRI researchers revealed that nematode causes pine wilt diseases
The pine wilt nematode resistant varieties development project started
FTBC developed 92 pine wilt nematode resistant varieties of Pinus
densiflora(red pine) and 16 pine wilt nematode resistant varieties ofPinus thunbergii(black pine)
FTBC developed 2nd generation of pine wilt nematode resistant varieties
for black pine
FTBC developed 2nd generation of pine wilt nematode resistant varieties
for red pine
FTBC improved resistance testing technology and applied it for new
variety development

2. Development methodologies of pine wilt nematode resistant varieties①Selection of candidate trees
from disaster area

②Examination of resistance through nematode inoculation test

Select candidate
resistant trees fromthe surviving pinetrees in disasterarea

Candidate resistant seedlingResistant variety（good health）

Collect seeds or scions from candidate resistant trees

Artificial inoculation of nematode

Without resistant（almost dead）

Seedlings after inoculation of pine wilt nematode

Judgement④Dissemination of resistant seedlings③Development of seed orchards
37 red pine seed orchards and 55 blackpine seed orchards have been establishedin the Tohoku, Kanto, Kansai, and Kyushu
region prefectures to produce pine wilt
nematode resistant seed
(March 31, 2021)

Numbers of pine wilt nematoderesistant varieties

Red Pine 314
Black Pine 276（March 31,2023)

Propagated resistant seedlings of blackpine are mainly planted in the coastal
conservational
Seed orchard developed by resistant varieties(red pine)※Include 57 red pine varieties
and 67 black pine varieties of thesecond generation from crossing
between pine wilt nematoderesistant varieties

10DNA-based traceability system of plus-trees

More than 3,000 clones of cedars havebeen selected as plus-trees nationwide.
Those plus-trees have been clonallypropagated, and planted in progeny
test forests as well as seed/scion orchards.
As it is difficult to distinguish these clones
from the outside, FTBC is using DNA topromote more accurate clone management.

Map of cedar
plus-trees sites
Cedar scion
garden

Methods

Results
Clone A
Clone B
Clone C
Clone D
Clone E

Collecting DNA sample

Clone F

Processing by liquid nitrogen

The length of DNA amplified varies from clone toclone. We can discriminate the part as a differencein the degree of mobility by using a sequencer.
Clone management; in case of Clone A

Wrong!

DNA extraction
Clone ADNA preservation（some parts）

Polymerase Chain
Reaction （PCR）

Clone A

Seed

Clone B

Clone A

Clone C

Clone D

When seeding from Clone A has a genotype of
102/148, the candidate pollen donner of thisseedling will be very likely Clone C.

DNA analysis enables us to do not only high-accuracy clones
but also parentage of breeding materials.
11

Clone B

Seed orchards management; in case of seed from Clone A

Clone A

Confirmation of PCR result

Clone A

Bio-technology in forest tree breeding
1. Development of pollen free cedar through genetic recombinant and genome editing
Genetic recombinant is a technology that introduces only the target gene, enabling efficient andrapid breeding. Genome editing technology, which can modify the function of a plant’s own genes,
has also attracted attention in recent years.
FTBC is researching and developing pollen free cedar varieties with superior growth and wood
quality by using these advanced biotechnologies.
Genetic recombinant and genome editing
Forest tree breeding by genetic recombinantForest tree breeding by genome editing

A part of genefor pollen formationtransformation

Pollen formation

Pollen free gene
(Gene that suppresses
pollen formation, etc）

Pollen freePollen formation

Pollen freeCutting out targeted parts
by DNA cleavage enzyme

Inside of male strobilus in pollen free cedar
Wild type

Genetic recombinant（Enlarged）

Male strobilus

Crosssection

Genome editing（Enlarged）（Enlarged）

Many pollen

No pollen

Actual procedure for pollen free cedar production

Production of cell massfrom immature seeds of cedar

Germination

Genetic recombinant,Genome editing

Induction of※Adventitious embryo isadventitious embryo ※ an embryo artificiallyinduced by tissue culture.

Male strobilus are formed by spraying
gibberellin. Cross sections of the malestrobilus are examined under amicroscope to check for the presenceof pollen.
Cultivation
12

【Collection and conservation/preservation of forest tree genetic resources】

The only forest tree gene bank in Japan
Necessity of forest tree genetic resources conservation

Forest tree genetic resources have been providing various forest products on which human beings depend
since ancient times. These genetic resources will be expected to provide various services in the future with
science and technology development.
Also, conservation of forest biodiversity has been strongly called in recent years. If these genetic resourceswere lost, the same genetic resources cannot be reproduced.
Therefore, these genetic resources have to be conserved and inherited to the next generations.

Outline of forest tree gene bank program

FTBC is the only forest tree gene bank program in Japan and has the largest stock of woody plants.
With taking due consideration to the application value of genetic resources, needs and priority ofconservation, FTBC is systematically conducting exploration and collection of genetic resources, andConserving / preserving such resources by seeds, pollens, DNA, and propagated individuals.
FTBC is also conducting trait analysis of collected genetic resources for identification of potential use as
well as distributing such resources for research purposes.

Status of conservation / preservation of forest tree genetic resources
Method and form ofconservation / preservation

Conservation and preservation offorest tree genetic resources are
performed by combining “In-situ” and“Ex-situ” from the characteristics of thetarget tree are many varieties, longlived, extremely large plants, and so on.

Method and form of conservation/preservation
on forest tree genetic resources

Forest tree genetic resources

In-situ conservation / preservation

In-situ conservation is a method ofpreserving the forest genetic resourcesthat make up the forest as a whole bypreserving the forest, or habitat, in which
the trees originally reside.
Conservation
Conservation is carried out in protected
methodforests set aside in national forests, etc.

In-situEx-situEx-situ conservation/preservation

Ex-situ conservation is a method ofpreservation that involves taking
Forestgenetic resources outside theirConservation
form
original habitat.
（National forest)
They are conserved by a combination of
the three methods as follows.
1. Methods to preserve genetic resourcesin the form of forests as a population by
National
Conservationconservation forest
creating planted forests with genetic
place
resources taken from the habitat.
2. Methods of preserving of genetic
resources by mother tree from the habitat
area and storage in adult form as clones or
strains in a conservation forest on the FTBC
premises.
3.Methods of preserving germplasm
such as seeds and pollen collectedfrom inside and outside the habitat,
691 sitesor as DNA, which is stored in
981 hafacilities in freezers or other storage
facilities.

Seed Pollen DNA

ForestTrees（Artificial forest)（Clone)Management

Gene-conservation
forestConservation
gardenStorage（Fridge / Freezer ）234 sites
934 ha30,084 clones

17,159 clones（March.31,2023）

13

Outline of forest tree gene bank program

Exploration/Collection

Propagation/Conservation

Evaluation of various traits

Exploration and collection of scions
and seeds of genetic resources

Propagation by grafting and cutting.
Conservation in gene stock garden or storage

Traits analysis and evaluation on thegene stock

Collection of various trait such as growth

Collection of scions from “Katsura
in Ousen’s fall”, one of “Hundred
Giant Trees in Japan” designate
by Forestry Agency

Propagation by cutting of Acer pycnanthum,which is endangered species

Trait analysis on pollen germination rateand ecological/morphological features

Data management

Establish a database of information on thecollection location, history information,conservation form, and traits evaluation offorest tree genetic resources

Data input into the database

Database

Distribution

To meet the demand for research purposes, forest tree genetic
resources will be distributed in various forms upon the request

Seeds

PollenScionsSeedlings

Outcomes
New varieties

New Products

Academic advances

Distribution of pollen
for artificial crossing

Distribution of pollen forthe development of pollen allergy products

Distribution of scions for
elucidation of genetic variation

14

【International technical cooperation 】
International technical cooperation and collaborative research
FTBC is developing forest tree breeding technologies to adapt to climate change throughinternational technical cooperation and collaborative research.

Technical cooperation
Forest tree breeding project in Kenya
Partner: Kenya Forestry Research Institute （KEFRI）
Duration: 2012-2026
Outline: FTBC has been supporting and guiding research on the breeding of Kenya's native species Melia volkensii (Melia)
to utilize furniture and interior and Acacia tortilis (Acacia) to use fuel wood and livestock through a JICA technicalcooperation project since 2012.

1st Phase

Project on Development of Drought Tolerant Trees for Adaptation to
Climate Change in Drylands of Kenya
2012-2017

2nd

Phase

Capacity Development Project for Sustainable Forest Management in
the Republic of Kenya (Tree Breeding)2017-2021

3rd Phase

Project for Strengthening Forestry Sector Development andCommunity Resilience to Climate Change through Sustainable Forest
Management and Landscape Restoration（Tree Breeding ）2022-2026【Melia】【Acacia】

Collaborative researchCollection,
Nursing

Melia plus-trees survey

DNA analysis

Collection,
Nursing

Artificial Crossing

Nursing,
Evaluation,
Selection

Nursing,
Evaluation,
Selection

1st Generation Melia seed orchard

Acacia plus-trees survey

Acacia seed stand and test site

Nursing,
Evaluation,
Selection

Melia progeny test site

Cutting test

2nd Generation Melia seed orchardLine thinning【Ｏｕｔｃｏｍｅｓ】

Biomass volume survey

15

Manual for thecreation of seed orchard

Guidelines for theconservation of genetic resources

Collaborative research
Breeding research on Calophyllum inophyllum
with superior wind and high tide protection
Partner : Taiwan Forest Research Institute (TFRI)
Duration : 2011-2028
Species : Calophyllum inophyllum
Outline : Calophyllum inophyllum planted as coastal disaster protection
on the Sakishima Islands in Okinawa prefecture are ocean-dispersing
trees and are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the
Pacific ocean.
FTBC is analyzing genetic variants of Calophyllum inophyllum in various
regions and developing varieties that grow fast and have good quality to copewith the severe coastal disasters like wind and high tides associated with
global warming.

Meeting in TFRITest site in Taiwan

Test site in Iriomote from UAV

Test site in Iriomote

Demonstration test of artificial crossing techniqueof Acacia Hybrid in Vietnam
Partner : Private company (Oji Green Resources Co.Ltd.)
Duration : 2013-2022
Species : Acacia hybrid (Acacia mangium × Acacia auriculiformis)
Outline : FTBC developed efficiently superior growth and good quality Acacia hybrids throughartificial crossing and selected clonal candidates in the test forests.

Efficient artificial
crossing technique
効率的な人口交配技術

Established test site forselection of plus-trees
アカシアハイブッリドを創出

Evaluation of growth potential
In test site

試験林を造成し、成長性等を評価

Established seed orchardsof superior clones
優良な候補木を選抜

Information
on advanced breeding techniques from oversea
フィンランドとの林木育種共同研究
Indoor seed orchard in Ireland
Crossing between superior Sitka Spruce individuals toprevent contamination by external pollen, and developing
even better next-generation varieties.

Indoor seed orchard
with open and shut roof
for Sitka Spruce (Photo:2018)

Efficient seedling production in New ZealandThis private entities produce 7 million seedlings of Pinus
radiate (including graft seedlings) per year. They haveefficient seedling production technologies, such as
automated covering of seedling boxes.

Automatic soil coveringmachine (photo:2019)

Moving bench(photo:2019)16

【 Advanced research facilities in leading forest tree breeding R/D 】

Crossing (hybridization) greenhouse

This is a greenhouse with closed hybridization booththat can shut out pollen from the outside and automaticwatering and composting.

Specific net house
This is a greenhouse for growing and evaluating
genetically modified forest trees that have been tested
in laboratory or closed greenhouse. Fine-meshed nets
are fully equipped to avoid invasion of insects carrying
pollens.

Nursing facility
This facility is able to control temperature, day lengthand carbon dioxide concentration to promote seedlings’
growth in all seasons.

17【 Advanced research facilities in leading forest tree breeding R/D 】

Genetic engineering research facility
This facility is a laboratory for evaluating on testing,growing, and safety of genetically modified forest trees.

Forest tree genetic resources conservation facility
This is the only gene bank in Japan that collects andpreserves forest tree genetic resources to contribute tospecies diversity and genetic diversity within species.
Seeds and pollens are stored in ultra-low temperature
freezers for long-term safe storage.

Genetically Modified Organism （GMO）） isolation field

GMO isolation field is an evaluation field after a
specific net house. This is the largest specific in Japanand is isolated by 60m x 54m in space with 8m height
fences, 1m depth sealed concrete fence, with invasion
sensors and cameras.
18【 Location of FTBC/FBRC, regional office and others 】
Breeding region(Office)

Breeding tree species

Hokkaido(HBO)

Larch, Hybrid larch, Sakhalin Fir, Yezo spruce

Tohoku(TBO)

Cedar (snow area), Larch, Red pine, Black pine

Kanto(FTBC/FBRC)

Cedar (less pollen), Larch, Cypress, Black pineKansai(KBO)

Cypress, Cedar (less pollen), Red pine, Black pine

Kyushu(KBO)

Cedar (clonal forestry), Cypress, Black pine,
Luchu pine
Hokkaido Breeding Region
Hokkaido Breeding Office

Tohoku Breeding Region
Tohoku Breeding Office

Forest Tree Breeding Center (FTBC)
Forest Bio-Research Center (FBRC)
Kansai Breeding Office
Kanto Breeding Region

Kyushu Breeding Office

Forestry and Forest Products
Research Institute (FFPRI)

Kansai Breeding Region

Kyushu Breeding Region

Iriomote Tropical Forest Tree Breeding Technical Garden

Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute
Forest Tree Breeding Center (FTBC)
Forest Bio-Research Center (FBRC)
3809-1 Ishi, Juo, Hitachi, Ibaraki 319-1301, Japan
TEL: +81-294-39-7013 FAX: +81-294-39-7306
E-Mail : ikusyu@ffpri affrc go jp
URL : (FTBC) https://www.ffpri.affrc.go.jp/ftbc/(FBRC) https://www.ffpri.affrc.go.jp/fbrc/

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