Background and Objective

One challenge today is to describe the variability of gene expression with nucleotide diversity. The objectives of this project are therefore to evaluate the nucleotide diversity in for breeding relevant clones and hybrids; to develop a SNP database of poplar for at least 20 candidate genes for breeding-related properties; and comparative analysis of genes with the highest SNP polymorphisms for quantitative traits.

Approach

One possibility for SNP diagnosis of breeding-relevant properties is the so-called candidate gene approach. Here, genes are a priori selected as possible candidate genes for drought tolerance, wound-/disease resistance, rooting ability, biomass production (CO2 fixation), lignification, etc. and the variation on the DNA level in different individuals and clones is determined. Therefore, in this project at least 20 candidate genes will be analyzed in different poplar clones to determine nucleotide diversity and establish a SNP database.

The expected outcome from the project will provide important clues about the commercial applicability of SMART-Breeding optimized poplar genotypes. The scientific prospects are very high because fundamental knowledge about the relationship between the SNP patterns and expression of plant features are expected.

Results

One possibility for SNP diagnosis of breeding-relevant properties is the so-called candidate gene approach. Here, genes are a priori selected as possible candidate genes for drought tolerance, wound-/disease resistance, rooting ability, biomass production (CO2 fixation), lignification, etc. and the variation on the DNA level in different individuals and clones is determined. Therefore, in this project at least 20 candidate genes will be analyzed in different poplar clones to determine nucleotide