Relationship between Genetic and Breeding Research of Forest Woody Plants

Current and unsolved problems in the relationship of genetic and breeding research of forest woody plants are discussed in the paper. In particular, disadvantages of isoenzymic and DNA polymorphism are analyzed. The tasks aimed at bringing together research of forest geneticists and breeders are discussed

Problems and perspectives of technogenic forestry

A brief overview of studies of technogenic impacts on industrial botany and forest ecosystems is given. A list of the leading Russian scientific schools conducting research in technogenic impacts on forest ecosystems in different regions is demonstrated. The main objects of their studies are named. Schematically in the field of technogenic forestry several groups of research objects have been identified: 1. Forests near output sources of techchnogenic pollution. 2. Forests of green areas around large cities and industrial centers. 3. Urban forests and forest parks; 4. Cultivated forest stands in geographically non-forest areas (steppe, forest-tundra and so on). The necessary generalized of the results their studies and separate these into the branch of biology – technogenic forest science is proved. Also discussed is functioning of recreational forests. These forest stands are included in the structures of forests of green zones, suburban and urban forests, forest parks. In these forests it is important to maintain a positive balance between the excessive anthropogenic load of the residents and their full rest. It is noted, that forest stands, firstly urban forests and forest parks are of reference to regional or governmental authorities, which can and does not rely do it. It is confirmed that the most universal and effective direction for the theory and practice of protection of nature and man is general technogenic forest science

Development of forest genetics in Russia

The history of the development of forest genetics in Russia has been poorly studied, although the information obtained in this field is of great importance for research, both in general genetics and in forest science. Practically the first attempt was made to present materials on this topic. The review of publications of Russian researchers in such sections of forest genetics as population genetics (isoenzyme and DNA polymorphism analysis), karyology and cytogenetics, phenetics, genetics of quantitative features, induced mutagenesis, and genomics is presented. The applied methods are analyzed, and the main results of the studies obtained in each of these directions are summarized. In most detail, with the involvement of a large number of literature sources, studies in the field of population genetics, karyology and cytogenetics have been examined. It was noted that a limited amount of publication did not allow reflection of studies in a number of other areas of forest genetics, for example, in the development of the genetic basis for the resistance of forest woody plants to pathogens and insect pests. The review focuses on the genetics of forest-forming coniferous species that grow in Russia: Scots pine, Siberian stone pine, larch and spruce species, Siberian fir, and some other species. The importance of the conducted studies not only for the genetic analysis of the species reviewed, but also for the identification of other features of their biology is shown. An outstanding role of L. F. Pravdin and Yu. P. Altukhov in the development of Russian forest geneticists was noted. The emergence of new trends in genetics, in particular, epigenetics, poses new difficult but promising tasks for forest geneticists

Mikhail Antonovich Shemberg and his scientific heritage (celebrating 70th birthday, 14.03.1951 – 22.01.2001)

Article analyzes the scientific achievements and heritage of Mikhail Antonovich Shemberg, a well-known dendrologist, who made a great contribution to the study of Siberian forests. He carried out a critical taxonomic treatment of birch Betula L. genus, developed new methodological approaches based on population-taxonomic analysis. M. A. Shemberg was the first who studied the variability of different features of birch species growing on the territory of Siberia and the Far East, revealed the patterns of their variability in individuals, populations, different parts of the area. He carried out a diagnostic assessment of these characteristics for the purposes of taxonomy and revealing of the intraspecific structure. The approaches of Mikhail A. Shemberg are widely used by specialists in the study of various generic complexes of woody plants. The pedagogical and public activity of Mikhail A. Shemberg is characterized. A list of major scientific works and list of theses defended under his supervision are given