Ronald S. Zalesny Jr.

Title: Research Plant Geneticist
Unit: Institute for Applied Ecosystem Studies: Theory and Application of Scaling Science in Forestry
Previous Unit: Physiological Mechanisms of Growth & Multiple Stress Responses in Northern Forest Trees
Address: Northern Research Station
5985 Highway K
Rhinelander, WI 54501-9128
Phone: 715-362-1132
E-mail: Contact Ronald S. Zalesny Jr.

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Education

• Iowa State University (McNabb Excellence Fellow), Ph.D., Forest Biology (Quantitative Genetics & Tree Improvement), 2003
• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, B.S., Natural Resources & Environmental Studies (Forest Resources & Biometrics), 1999

Civic & Professional Affiliations

• Poplar Council of the United States
• Short Rotation Woody Crops Operations Working Group
• International Phytotechnology Society (Board of Directors)
• Society of American Foresters
• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
• Xi Sigma Pi, Forestry Honor Society
• Gamma Sigma Delta, Honor Society of Agriculture
• Phi Kappa Phi, National Honor Society
• Golden Key, National Honor Society

Current Research

I study genetic and physiological mechanisms regulating the use of short rotation woody crops (i.e., poplars and willows) in sustainable intensive forestry systems. The success of such systems depends upon the amount of variation among genotypes deployed. Thus, given that genetic gain is proportional to variation, I utilize the broad amount of variability in parental species from current poplar and willow breeding programs in the United States to increase availability of promising genotypes, based on numerous end uses of the trees. Successful deployment requires selection among and within populations of genotypes that grow fast, resist diseases and pests, and possess traits that facilitate reliable and economical commercial production. Two general traits for successful deployment include the capability for interspecific hybridization and ease of propagation. I focus on identifying and selecting genotypes with exceptional rooting ability and genotypes with great potential for fiber, bioenergy, and environmental benefits (e.g., phytoremediation). Also, I develop technical innovations that make testing more reliable and efficient.

Why is This Important

Understanding the underlying genetic and physiological mechanisms supports effective deployment of favorable genotypes that helps: 1) reduce impacts from invasive species, 2) provide an energy source that does not contribute to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) and global climate change, and 3) improve the rural agricultural environment through remediation and/or restoration. Overall, the knowledge gained from my research helps researchers and growers increase the success of plantation establishment, which augments supplies of native aspen in the North Central Region and ultimately reduces pressure on native forest ecosystems. In addition, the general public gets a supply of wood and wood products while having the native forests for aesthetics and recreation.

Future Research

In general, I plan to conduct detailed quantitative genetic analyses of forest crops with high probability of yielding valuable commercial genotypes for multiple end uses. Regardless of the product or environmental service from the trees, using such analyses to determine the magnitude of genetic and environmental control of important traits, and the magnitude of genetic and environmental correlations between traits, will be an important step in refining testing protocols, designing multiple-trait selection strategies, and identifying commercially-valuable genotypes. More specifically, I am beginning to:

1. test the below- and above-ground growth and physiology of intensively managed forest crops, with an emphasis on understanding root growth under different applications (i.e., invasive species competition, fiber, bioenergy, phytoremediation, etc.),
2. strengthen collaborations to determine the economic value of intensive forest crops to ascertain how such crops contribute to rural economic development, with an emphasis on bioenergy,
3. test the rooting ability and tree establishment potential of poplar and willow genotypes subjected to various pre- and post-planting treatments (e.g., soil temperature) when planted in field settings, and
4. test the ability of poplar and willow genotypes for phytoremediation of inorganic and organic contaminants at local levels (especially near waterways), along with using these data and those from collaborators to estimate the environmental benefit of such remediative efforts at regional and national scales.

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