Woody Plant Improvement Program

Over the past years considerable effort and resources have been given to development of improved tree and shrub species for conservation and agroforestry plantings in the prairie and parkland regions. The program has focused on assembling genetically diverse populations of native and introduced species; regional testing of candidate species; development of genetically superior seed sources through breeding programs and establishment of seed orchards and selection of superior clonal plants. The objective of the native woody plant improvement program is to assemble populations from the native range of a species, comparatively evaluate the ecotype, select superior plants, increase by sexual propagation and release as adapted seed propagated cultivars.

The publication Improvement of Conservation Trees and Shrubs is a guide to the status of improvement and development of woody plants at the Shelterbelt Centre. Information is provided on performance, hardiness, adaptability and conservation use. A brief description of each species is included. The plants listed are being developed specifically for conservation purposes. Conservation uses include, field, farmstead, roadside and livestock shelterbelts, wildlife block and corridor plantings, riparian revegetation or streambank stabilization, reclamation plantings on disturbed mine spoils and other disturbed sites and forestbelts. Hardiness ratings are based on the "Map of Plant Hardiness Zones in Canada" published in 1973 by Ouellet and Sherk.

An ecological land classification system has been developed to describe Saskatchewan's ecosystems (Padbury and Acton. 1994). These ecoregions are based on a combination of climatic, physiographic and ecological criteria. Four major ecoregions dominate the agricultural landscape of the southern half of Saskatchewan. These are the boreal transition, aspen parkland, moist mixed grassland and mixed grassland ecoregions. Adaptation recommendations for trees and shrubs listed in this report are based on this classification system.

Accession Database

A computer database (DataEase 4.53) has been developed to maintain records of all plant material being evaluated at the Shelterbelt Centre. Included in the database is source information on accessions, descriptions of test locations and performance of accessions being tested. In the database, the accession number provides a means of recognizing each accession in the program. The current numbering of accessions was initiated in 1981 (ie. E4395). These code numbers are used in the computer database for the identification of a specific species or seed source. Each new seed aquisition is recorded in the database. Information on source location, seed quantity and unique charcteristics of the seed source are available through the database. A total of 1600 accessions are currently included in the database. This includes species of over 70 genera.

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