Dr. Virgilijus Baliuckas

ORCiD iD: 0000-0003-4789-3267

Tel.: +370 682 67 866
E-mail: virgilijus.baliuckas@lammc.lt  
Address: Liepų St. 1, Girionys, LT-53101 Kaunas dist., Lithuania

Education

1984–1991 Forestry engineer, Forestry Faculty, Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture (since 2019 Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy).

Academic degree and pedagogical title

2003 Doctor of Forestry (PhD), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, dissertation topic “Life history traits and broadleaved tree genetics”.

Since 2011 Associate Professor, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology, Institute of Forest Biology and Forestry, Vytautas Magnus University.

Research fields

• Ecological-evolutionary genetics in forestry
• Genetic research on forest populations: evaluation of population polymorphism in phenotypic-genotypic traits associated with the polymorphism of molecular markers
• Postglacial migration of tree species, population genetic variation and adaptation
• Long-term forest tree breeding
• Invasiveness and impact of alien species on forest communities
• Interspecific hybridisation studies in Quercus, Ulmus, Betula, and Alnus

Position

Since 2018 Chief Researcher, Department of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Institute of Forestry, LAMMC.

Since 2009 Head of Department of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Institute of Forestry, LAMMC.

2007–2011 Lecturer, since 2011 Associate Professor, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology, Institute of Forest Biology and Silviculture, Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (course “Forest tree Genetics, Breeding and Seed Management”).

Memberships and affiliations with professional organisations

• Member of the Lithuanian Foresters Union
• Since 2022 Member of Research Board of Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry
• Lecturer in BOVA University Network of the annual undergraduate courses
• Since 2014 Member of joint Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy with Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Doctoral Studies Committee
• Since 2012 Member of the editorial board of the scientific journal “Forestry”
• Member of Methodical committee at Institute of Forestry, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry
• Since 2009 Member of Permanent Plant National Genetic Resources Board
• Since 2009 Member of Forest Genetic Resources, Seed Production and Regeneration Expert panel
• Since 2004 Involved in the SNS project “Northern European Database of Long-term Forest Experiments” (NOLTFOX) (2004–2016 country coordinator).
• 2000 Member of the Organising Committee of the Nordic-Baltic Forest Geneticists and Breeders Group (SNS)
• Involved in EUFORGEN (European Forest Genetic Resources Conservation Program) programme activities, since 2017 country coordinator
• 2012 Organiser of the international conference dedicated to V. Ramanauskas “Global changes: forest tree breeding and seed management”
• 1994 Member of the Organising Committee of IUFRO Symposium (S.2.02.18) “Scots Pine Breeding and Genetics”

Involvement in programmes and projects

• 2021–2023 Ministry of Environment project “Selection of root rot resistant genotypes of Norway spruce”, leader. 
• 2020–2023 Ministry of Environment project “Conservation measures for pedunculate oak, sessile oak and Wych elm gene pool”, leader.
• 2020–2022 Ministry of Environment project “Preparation of the aspen seed orchard project by identifying the gender of plus trees and preparing the optimal scheme for crossbreeding”, participant.
• 2020–2022 Ministry of Environment project “Identification of black alder and grey alder F₁ generation hybrids and preparation of forest propagating material for field trials”, leader.
• 2020–2021 Ministry of Environment project “The first stage of Scots pine intensive breeding (breeding cycle III), based on crossings and progeny testing – selection of genotypes in the field trials, grafting, cultivation of clones, preparation of project for crossings and crossing methodology”, leader.
• 2019–2021 Ministry of Science and Education project „Genetic structure, diversity and inbreeding in fast spreading populations of Fagus sylvatica, Tilia cordata and Acer platanoides in Lithuania”, participant.
• 2019–2021 Ministry of Environment project “Preparation of genetic monitoring methodology for Scots pine, Norway spruce, pedunculate oak and silver birch“, leader.
• 2018–2020 Ministry of Environment project “Adjustment of the provenance regions of black alder, small-leaved lime and Norway maple based on DNA markers”, leader.
• 2017–2019 Ministry of Environment project “Selection of Scots pine genotypes resistant to root rot”, leader.
• 2017 Plant Gene Bank project “Collection of especially valuable forest tree seeds from forest genetic reserves and transfer to the Plant Gene Bank's long-term storage facility”, leader.
• 2016–2020 Horizon 2020 project “Optimising the management and sustainable use of forest genetic resources in Europe” (GENTREE), participant.
• 2016–2018 Ministry of Environment project “Dependence of wood properties of Norway spruce and silver birch on growing conditions and genotype”, leader.
• 2016 Šiauliai Forest Enterprise project “Modeling of crossing combination by progeny test results and crossings of silver birch tested trees”, leader.
• 2015–2017 Ministry of Environment project “Recommendations for forest plantation establishment of European larch, silver birch and black alder”, participant.
• 2015–2017 COST Action FP1202 project “Strengthening conservation: a key issue for adaptation of marginal/peripheral populations of forest tree to climate change in Europe” (MaP-FGR), participant.
• 2015–2016 Ministry of Science and Education project “Estimation of Scots pine ecological plasticity using molecular-genetic methods aimed to improve reforestation strategy in the context of climate change, to preserve forest biodiversity and genetic resources in Belarus and Lithuania”, leader.
• 2015–2016 Ministry of Environment project “Evaluation of interspecific hybrids between black and grey alder, perspectives for forestry”, leader.
• 2014–2016 Ministry of Environment project “Revision of silver birch provenance regions and possibilities of forest reproductive material transfer using DNA markers and data from field trials”, leader.
• 2014–2016 Ministry of Environment project “The first stage of silver birch and Norway spruce high intensity breeding (the 3rd breeding cycle), based on cross-pollination and progeny testing – the selection of genotypes in the field trials, grafting (cloning), clone cultivation, preparation of projects for crossing combinations and grafted plantations”, leader.
• 2014–2015 Ministry of Environment project “Evaluation of the status of experimental and training plantations, preparation of descriptions for training and demonstration”, participant.
• 2014–2015 Ministry of Environment project „Breeding programmes for main forest tree species in Lithuania”, participant.
• 2012–2016 Ministry of Environment project “Maintenance and renewal of national genetic resources field collections”, leader.
• 2012–2016 State budget long-term project “Sustainable Forestry and Global Changes”, task and subtask “Assessment of phenogenetic plasticity and genotype x environment interaction of the main forest tree sepecies with different life history traits”, leader.
• 2012–2016 State budget long-term project “Agricultural and forest plant species genetics and targeted alteration of genotypes”, task and subtask “Assessment of plus trees progeny breeding value, formation of breeding populations, estimation of phenotypic plasticity and polymorphism of population progeny”, leader.
• 2012–2015 Ministry of Science and Education project “Species and genetic diversity of Scots pine communities”, participant.
• 2013–2014 Ministry of Environment project “Adjustment of the provenance regions of pedunculate oak based on DNA markers, the principles of forest reproductive material transfer within the country and from neighbouring countries of European Union for pedunculate oak, Norway spruce and Scots pine”, leader.
• 2012–2013 Ministry of Environment project “Revision of Scots pine and Norway spruce provenance regions”, leader.
• 2012–2013 Ministry of Environment project “Assessment of Scots pine and Norway spruce genotypes for diversified breeding”, leader.
• 2010–2012 ESF project “Importance of genetic factors in formation of forest stands with high adaptability and qualitative wood properties”, participant.
• 2010–2011 Lithuanian Research Council and National Research Program “Ecosystems in Lithuania: climate change and human impact” project “Non-native forest tree species spreading in Lithuania and factors influencing the process”, leader.
• 2010–2011 Lithuanian Research Council and National Research Program “Ecosystems in Lithuania: climate change and human impact” project “The vulnerability of native tree species populations, change of their natural distribution areas and climate change projections”, participant in 4 project activities/tasks.
• 2010 Ministry of Environment project “Preparation of criteria for national forest tree genetic resources”, leader.
• 2010 Ministry of Environment project “Selection of the genotypes in pedunculate oak and silver birch progeny test plantations and recommendations for establishment of second generation seed orchards”, leader.
• 2010 Ministry of Environment project “Studies on posibilities for cloning by root cuttings of hybrid aspen for testing of clones and establishing of parent plantation for vegetative propagation, and preparation of recommendations”, participant.
• Since 2010 European Forest Genetic Resources Programme EUFORGEN VI, coordinator at the Institute of Forestry.
• 2009–2012 Ministry of Environment project “Maintenance and renewal of national genetic resources field collections”, leader.
• 2009 Ministry of Environment project “Breeding value estimation in black alder progeny test plantations and selection of the best genotypes for second generation seed orchards”, leader.
• 2008–2010 Ministry of Agriculture project “Application and spread of innovative technologies and scientific knowledge in propagation of hybrid aspen for establishing highly productive plantations in intensive plantation forestry”, leader.
• 2008–2009 Ministry of Environment project “Estimation of regeneration of gene reserves and seed stands of broad-leaved tree species, pedunculate oak, black alder, and silver birch, and preparation of regeneration recommendations”, participant.
• 2008 Lithuanian Research Council project “Population structure and DNA genotyping of Lithuanian pedunculate oak”, participant.
• 2007 Lithuanian Research Council project “Establishment of an interactive biotechnology center”, participant.
• 2007, 2008 Ministry of Environment project “Maintenance and renewal of national genetic resources field collections”, participant.
• 2006–2010 EU FP7 project “TREEBREEDEX: A working model network of tree improvement for competitive multifunctional and sustainable European forestry”, scientist.
• 2006–2008 Ministry of Environment project “Comparative performance analysis of silver birch and downy birch ecologic distribution and productivity, and plus tree wood quality genetic assessment”, participant.
• 2005–2007 ESF 2nd priority action 5 “Human Resources Development” project “Improving the quality of human resources in the field of agricultural and forestry biotechnology research”, participant.
• 2005 Ministry of Environment project “Criteria and methodology for evaluation of field trials”, participant.
• 2005 Pakruojis Forest Enterprise project “Technology-recommendations of common aspen seedling growing from high productivity local genotypes”, participant.
• 2004–2008 State budget long-term project “Research on plant genetic resources”, participant.
• 2004 Kėdainiai Forest Enterprise project “Selection of oak seed trees and their phenotypic evaluation including oak seed orchard clones”, leader.
• 2004–2005 Ministry of Environment project “Estimation of the incidence of wood discoloration in the stems of birch trees in final felling and preparation of recommendations”, participant.
• Since 2004 SNS project “Northern European Database of Long-Term Forest Experiments”, coordinator (2004–2016).
• 2003–2006 Lithuanian Research Council project “The complex impact of anthropogenic, climate and environmental changes on forests and agro-ecosystem vegetation”, participant.
• 2003–2006 Lithuanian Research Council programme “Adaptation of plants and regulation system by means of biotechnological measures”, participant.
• 2003 Ministry of Environment project “Practical selection of sessile oak and dynamic conservation of genetic resources”, leader.
• 2003 Ministry of Environment project “Selection of birch genotypes by the results of progeny testing for second generation seed plantations”, participant.
• 2003 Kėdainiai Forest Enterprise project “The phenotypic evaluation and marking of oak trees in seed stands and genetic reserves in order to ensure a sufficient representation of stand by progeny and improve their breeding value”, leader.
• 2002 Ministry of Environment project “Preparation of a program for the conservation of genetic resources of deciduous tree species”, participant.
• 2002 Ministry of Environment project “Delineation of black alder, Norway maple, small-leaved lime and European larch provenance regions”, participant.
• 2001 Ministry of Environment project “Provenance regions of Lithuanian forest: setting of provenance regions of silver birch and European ash (according to EU negotiating positions)”, participant.
• 2001 Ministry of Environment project “Preparation of guidelines for the establishment and maintenance of in situ units for deciduous tree species genetic resources conservation (gene and seed reserves) by adapting the recommendations of the European Forest Genetic Resources Conservation Program” (EUFORGEN II), participant.
• 2000 Lithuanian Research Council programme project “EUROFOREST – new technologies for the development of European forestry for sustainable management”, participant.
• 1999–2003 State budget long-term project “Ecogenetic variation of deciduous tree species and conservation of genetic resources”, participant.
• 1999 Ministry of Environment project “Recommendations for the selection of Scots pine and Norway spruce families and maternal trees by forest natural regions for the second generation forest seed orchards”, participant.
• 1999 Ministry of Environment project “Preparation, adaptation and implementation of the recommendations and decisions of the European Forest Genetic Resources Program” (EUFORGEN II), participant.
• 1998–2008 State budget long-term program “GENEFUND – investigation and conservation of genetic resources of plants and agricultural animals used in Lithuania” project “Analysis of forest tree genetic resources, scientific background of their selection, preservation, use and breeding”, participant.
• 1998 Ministry of Environment project “Preparation, adaptation and implementation of EUFORGEN recommendations”, participant.
• 1998 Ministry of Environment project “Delineation of provenance regions of noble hardwoods trees”, participant.
• 1998 Ministry of Environment project “Influence of scattered broadleaved tree species on forest biodiversity and stability, inventory, breeding and reproduction of their genetic resources”, participant.
• 1997 Ministry of Environment project “Primary establishment of provenance regions and seed transfer models for the main and introduced tree species in Lithuania”, participant.
• 1996 Ministry of Environment project “Regulations for the monitoring of forest regeneration”, participant.
• 1996 Ministry of Environment project “Genetic resources conservation and breeding of black alder on the basis of wider genetic diversity”, participant.
• 1995 Ministry of Environment project “Certification and selection of new genetic reserves in connection with entomological damage”, participant.
• 1994–1997 State budget long-term program “Crop Plant Resources”, participant.
• 1993–1994 Ministry of Environment project “Establishment of forest gene reserves (strict gene reserves)”, participant.
• 1992–1995 Ministry of Environment project “Regulations of forest strict gene reserves and gene reserves”, participant.
• 1992–1994 Ministry of Environment project “Theoretical fundamentals of conservation and restoration of Lithuanian oak stands”, participant.

Supervision of PhD studies

• 2020–2024 Aliaksandr Padutau PhD studies, dissertation topic “Genetic and phenotypic structure of Scots pine families in second generation seed orchards“, supervisor.
• 2017–2019 Dr. Adas Marčiulynas Post-doctoral project „The resistance of different Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) genotypes against root rot (Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref.)“, fellowship supervisor.
• 2016–2020 Sigitas Tamošaitis PhD studies, dissertation topic “Natural hybridization processes in native species of Alnus, Betula and Ulmus genus”, supervisor.
• 2014–2018 Adomas Stoncelis PhD studies, dissertation topic “Dependence of the wood properties of the main forest tree species on environment and genotype“, supervisor.
• 2013–2017 Aušra Juškauskaitė PhD studies, dissertation topic “The dependence of phenotypic plasticity of forest tree species on genetic polymorphism”, supervisor.
• 2010–2014 Girmantė Jurkšienė PhD studies, dissertation topic “Pedunculate (Quercus robur L.) and sessile oak (Q. petraea [Matt.] Liebl.) hybridization, regeneration and effects on soil microbiota”, supervisor.
• 2006–2015 Rita Verbylaitė PhD studies, dissertation topic “European aspen (Populus tremula L.) in Lithuania: genetic diversity of plus trees and populations assessed using molecular markers”, supervisor (since 2013).

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS (click the link)