UPM Forestal Oriental Annual Report 2022

GENETIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME The purpose of this programme is to provide the company and its Associate Producers with improved genetic material to add value to the entire chain. The improvement strategy is based on the yearly assessment of thousands of trees and the selection of those with increased productivity for vegetative propagation. This maximises genetic gain and leads to consistency among the plantations. This programme does not use genetically modified organisms. The main species used include E. grandis and E. dunnii, and its hybrids. E. globulus, E. maidenii and E. benthamii are other minority species also used to improve pulp production and reduce timber costs, as well as enhance adaptability to different environments.

68