Development of natural Christmas trees for Brazil

• Grant number: 99/06186-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: September 01, 2000
• End date: January 31, 2004
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Forestry Resources and Forestry Engineering - Forestry
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Natal Goncalves
• Grantee: Antonio Natal Goncalves
• Company: Arboreto Produtos Florestais Ltda

Abstract

The Tree Physiology Laboratory (Department of Forestry Sciences - Esalq/USP) is part of the Thematic Clonal Silviculture and Forestry Vivaria Program. This program has been undertaking basic research, technological development and the transfer of cloning technology, as well as assessment of the political, environmental, social, and legal risks of using this technique and improved raising and use of financial resources. Coupled with research, there is personnel training and technology transfer in the production of clones of forestial essences, chiefly Eucalyptus and Pine, for companies associated with the Forestry Studies and Research Institute (IPEF), other companies, producers, and research institutes, such as Embrapa, with species of bromeliads, orchids, banana, cashew, bamboo, rubber tree, teak, and the cryptomeria. The research group’s main fields of operation are the handling of macro, mini and micro- clonal gardens, the handling of the production of eucalyptus seedlings, partnerships in the production of micro-propagated seedlings, environmental stress studies in cloning; partnerships in research with equipment and supplies companies for forestial vivaria; in vitro mineral nutrition, in vivaria and in the field: clone selection; somatic embryo- genesis of eucalyptus, the production of micro- propagated seedlings of clones of Eucalyptus spp.,Pinus spp., teak and other species of forestial interest. (AU)