PRODUCTION OF IMPROVED QUALITY REPRODUCTIVE MATERIALS AND THE ROLE OF SEED QUALITY CONTROL IN FORESTRY

The quality of productivity of established forests is greatly influenced by the quality ofreproductive materials used for planting. Hence. production of improved reproductivematerials such as seeds. CUlling and other plant parts is increasingly challenging in todaysproductivity-driven forestry programs. As more improved reproductive materials becomeavailable for forestry use. the need for assurance on their genetic purity and physiologicalquality becomes equally important particularly in forest species where it takes many yearsto mature.Short term production of quality seeds is achievable by proper selection of seed sourcessuch as geographic and parental sources and the application of appropriate seedtechnology. To ensure the quality of seed being produced and utilised. certain standardshave to be followed. These standards are embodied in a certification scheme and seedtesting rules will be discussed in the paper.This paper presents some approaches and challenges in producing improved qualityreproductive materials such as seeds. It also discusses aspects of seed quality control whichcomprises of seed certification and seed testing in forestry.