High productive and climate adapted poplar clones for the energy and forestry sector in Baltic Sea Region
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet - Institutionen för växtproduktionsekologi |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 630 542 |
| Project duration | July 2013 - June 2016 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The aim of the project was to produce the platform for the commercial deployment of poplar clones from SLU and SweTree Technologies registered as SnowTiger. The goal was to evaluate candidate clones to be included in the clone mixture, to test the suitability of different types of plant material for planting on various types of soils, and to develop a business model for the deployment of the clones on the market. All the goals were fulfilled and SnowTiger has been sold since 2015.
Expected results and effects
Except for the clones originally included in SnowTiger, we have identified additional clones that can be commercialized. These clones have been sent to the two plant nurseries for the production of plant material. The Lithuanian partners have been using Italian clones so far. However, these clones have shown insufficient hardiness and chances are good that Snow Tiger will be planted commercially in the Baltic Countries. The Tests of plant material have shown that the bare root plants are the most suitable type of plant material for the deployment of Snow Tiger on the market.
Planned approach and implementation
The project is divided into four WP. In WP1 we established a large number of trials testing different types of plant material. The results are important for both SweTree and the poplar grower. In WP2 the plant production of Snow Tiger was developed in cooperation with two plant nurseries. In WP3 we evaluated the growth and stem quality of candidate clones in several Swedish clone trials. In WP4 SweTree developed the business model for the deployment of Snow Tiger on the market and SLU helped to form the information to the potential costumers.