Harry Xiaming Wu (left) and Thi Hai Hong Nguyen (right); photo: Sonali Ranade
[2019-05-21] Thi Hai Hong Nguyen analysed how genetic variation influences wood and oil quantity and quality in Norway spruce and Melaleuca, a multi-purpose tree distributed in Australia, Papua New Guinea and South-East Asia. In her Phd thesis, she recommends tree breeding strategies for the two species to optimize their industrial usage. Thi Hai Hong Nguyen successfully defended her PhD thesis on Friday last week, 17th of May 2019.
Do trees that grow faster have lower wood quality and contain less oil or oil of lower quality? Is it better to use only one clone of a species in forestry or can it be of advantage to plant families, that means related trees that do not contain the exact same genetic composition? The answers to those questions are of high interest for the forest industry. Thi Hai Hong Nguyen estimated in her PhD thesis the genetic parameters that influence wood and oil quality and quantity and looked into the effect of genetic variation of Melaleuca and Norway spruce. Based on her results, she gives advices for tree breeding strategies for the two species.
The public defence took place in P-O Bäckströms sal at SLU Umeå on Friday, 17th of May 2019. Faculty opponent was Prof. Steven E. McKeand from the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Resources, NC State University, USA. The supervisor was Harry Xiaming Wu.
Title of the thesis: Genetics, breeding and deployment of Melaleuca and Norway spruce
Link to the doctoral thesis: https://pub.epsilon.slu.se/16097/