A Founder Project: Marking T H E Domestication Baseline for Forest Trees

C>ne of the most apparent benefits of forest genomics progratntnes is t o provide genotypic information on the original sclectioris of tree itn[xovemcnt programmes worlclwide. In many brcecling programmes, branches from these selections were graftecl onto seedlings and the grafted seectlings composeci the first seeci orchards for planting programmes. With aclvanced generation orcharcis or new vegetative propagation technuloky, these original orcl-tarcis have becon-te genetic arclli~~es. 3'hese archives conserve the original selections or founcfers of clomesticatcd forests tlius providitlg :in opportunity for gcnotyping the entire population of founders. The winciow of opportunity, known as a 120uncier l3roject, is narrowing for obtaining 1)NA samples from founclers because archives are being lost to pests, pathogens, extreme weather events, climate change, constricting budgets and increasing demands for arable land.