Metla Project 3371

Genetic basis of adapted traits and economically important characteristics in forest trees

Duration: 2003 Keywords: adaptation to environment , candidate genes , disease resistance, tree breeding, wood property traits

Objectives

Ample genetic variation has been found both in characters under natural selection and in economically important traits of forest trees. Information on the genetic basis of this variation will help to choose the most efficient breeding strategies (traditional breeding alone or together with molecular breeding). In this project, the genetic basis of variation in adaptive characteristics or economically important traits will be studied by using a candidate gene approach.

The project is divided into following subprojects:

In subproject 1) Genetic basis of adaptive variation we will study the molecular basis of variation in an adaptive character (trichome production) in natural populations of Arabidopsis lyrata by using the candidate gene approach.
Subproject 2) TREESNIPS: Developing markers for adaptive variation in forest trees is a four year EU-project where, using the candidate gene approach, several groups try to identify genes that cause variation in adaptively important traits and assess the possibilities for molecular breeding.
In the subproject 3, possibilities for studying the genetic basis of variation in wood properties by using the candidate gene approach will be evaluated, and promising tree species/trait combinations and potential collaborators will be searched.
In the subproject 4, possibilities to study the genetic basis of disease resistance in forest trees by using the candidate gene approach will be evaluated.

Results

During this one year project, preparations were taken to introduce a new approach to study the genetic basis of natural variation in adaptively or economically important traits by using the candidate gene method. Laboratory facilities were improved and functional laboratory built for screening variation in candidate genes. New collaborative projects were planned, and funding for those was applied from national and international sources. A five year project to study the genetic basis of natural variation in adaptive and economical traits using candidate gene approach was planned and proposed. Experiments on the genetic basis of phenological variation were conducted, and results will be reported during the following five year project.

Project leader: Kärkkäinen, Katri
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Oulu Unit, PL 413, FI-90014 Oulun yliopisto, FINLAND
Phone: +358 29 532 3767
E-mail: katri.karkkainen@metla.fi

Other researchers: Kivimäki, Maarit (2003), Rantalainen, Minna-Liisa (2003), Velling, Pirkko, VA (2003)

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Updated 12.06.2012
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