Background and Objective

The objective of the work is the generation of qualitatively optimized poplar plants with increased biomass, altered lignin content and optimized plant architecture. This will be achieved by the genetic modification of genomic regulators for tree biomass yield, changes of lignin biosynthesis and alterations of branching patterns.

Approach

Biomass production can be increased by genes involved e.g. in vegetative growth capacity, vascular cambium activity, and secondary cell wall formation. The ThünenInstituteofforest genetics is workingwithpreviouslyunknowngenesthat are expressed inwoodas well asinpoplar flowers. Withchanges in thesegenes, theirfunctionandtheirimpactonthebiomass productionshouldbeelucidated inpoplars. The formation of higher biomass levels ingeneticallymodifiedtrees could beastarting pointforlegislationthat wouldallowtocoverapart ofrenewableenergywithgeneticallyimprovedtrees.Thisis ethicallyacceptable and makes economicallysense.