Highlights 2005-2006

• We found that GA-modified, semi-dwarf poplars have several useful characteristics. They have accelerated flowering, increased allocation of growth to roots, and altered root chemistry that may improve their resistance to decomposition. These traits may be useful for speeding tree breeding; improving rates of carbon sequestration, stress tolerance, and bioremediation; and improving resistance to herbivory.
  

• In collaboration with colleagues in Sweden, we showed that FT is a central gene for control of flowering and budset in trees. A paper was published in the prestigious journal Science; the gene could substantially speed breeding and assessment of sterility genes in research.

• We verified four activation-tagged genes. We confirmed via re-transformation that four candidate genes near our insertions were indeed tagged, further showing that this method is an effective means for gene discovery in poplar.

• We established a major new field study of activation-tagged trees. The study is a collaboration with Genome Canada, and will include up to 1,000 transgenic events on up to 5 acres of land. It should lead to the identification of new genes that control tree growth and form.

• We established a field study of yield and competition in GA-inhibited, semi-dwarf trees. The study will test the hypothesis that as planting density increases, the advantage of a semi-dwarf form, both for yield and root production, also increases. This could establish a new model for tree breeding and biotechnology programs.

• TBGRC is part of a team awarded a planning grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to investigate formation of a joint NSF I/UCRC Center. The enlarged center, called the Center for Advanced Forestry Research, would include North Carolina State, Virginia Polytechnic University, Purdue, and the TBGRC and PNWTIRC tree genetics cooperatives at Oregon State. It would promote collaborative studies that link gene to physiology to stand-level studies in hardwood and coniferous trees.