In March 2024, Rotorua hosted the world’s leading forest propagation researchers for the Sixth International Conference of the IUFRO 2.09.02 Working Party. Scientists from 16 countries came together to share advances in vegetative propagation, tissue culture and related technologies that could help create healthier, more productive and climate-resilient forests.
For New Zealand forestry, conferences like this are about more than scientific presentations. They provide opportunities for our researchers, breeders, nursery operators and forest growers to engage directly with the small international community working in these highly specialised fields. They also provide early exposure to emerging ideas and technologies, often years before they become widely known or adopted. Maintaining those connections helps ensure New Zealand remains aware of developments that could shape the way we think about forestry into the future.
The conference is now leaving a lasting legacy through the publication of its proceedings. The open-access publication captures 29 peer-reviewed scientific contributions, ensuring that the knowledge shared in Rotorua is available not only to those who attended, but also to future researchers and practitioners.
The publication was supported by the 21st Century Tissue Culture Partnership (TCP), a Forest Growers Levy Trust and government-funded programme focused on developing advanced tissue culture technologies for radiata pine. Leading-edge research from the programme features prominently in the proceedings and reflects the value of maintaining capability in areas that may become increasingly important as forests adapt to future challenges.
” Conferences like this connect New Zealand researchers and practitioners with a global network of specialists,” saysAlison Slade, the TCP Programme Manager. “Publishing the proceedings ensures that knowledge is captured, independently reviewed and made available to the sector for years to come.”
IUFRO 2.09.02 Proceedings Publication. This can also be found on the FGR website in the Documents library, along with other publications and reports across all programmes, including the TCP programme.
