Breeding and improvement of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) with a special focus on Hungary: a review

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a multipurpose tree species native to North America commonly planted worldwide for its resistant and durable wood, rapid growth, site tolerance, honey production, and other qualities. However, caution is warranted when planting the species outside its native range due to its potential invasiveness with respect to the native flora. Many countries, particularly Hungary and China, have been conducting forestry research on black locust for decades to increase black locust yields, nectar production, and stem quality. The main breeding objectives, such as fast growth, superior trunk quality or higher nectar production, have already been achieved. Existing reviews on this tree species do not cover the whole research history of breeding, making a comprehensive review increasingly critical to identify research gaps, trends, and drawbacks. The present study offers a systematic analysis of nearly 100 papers spanning the last century and the most recent research on black locust improvement. This study also includes a detailed summary of the available cultivars and clone selections worldwide.

Automated summary

Black locust is a multipurpose tree species commonly planted worldwide. Caution is needed when planting it outside its native range to avoid potential invasiveness. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the breeding history and recent research on black locust, and summarizes the available cultivars and clone selections globally.