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Boerjan W, Strauss SH. Social and biological innovations are essential to deliver transformative forest biotechnologies. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 243:526-536. [PMID: 38803120 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Forests make immense contributions to societies in the form of ecological services and sustainable industrial products. However, they face major challenges to their viability and economic use due to climate change and growing biotic and economic threats, for which recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology can sometimes provide solutions. But the application of rDNA technologies to forest trees faces major social and biological obstacles that make its societal acceptance a 'wicked' problem without straightforward solutions. We discuss the nature of these problems, and the social and biological innovations that we consider essential for progress. As case studies of biological challenges, we focus on studies of modifications in wood chemistry and transformation efficiency. We call for major innovations in regulations, and the dissolution of method-based market barriers, that together could lead to greater research investments, enable wide use of field studies, and facilitate the integration of rDNA-modified trees into conventional breeding programs. Without near-term adoption of such innovations, rDNA-based solutions will be largely unavailable to help forests adapt to the growing stresses from climate change and the proliferation of forest pests, nor will they be available to provide economic and environmental benefits from expanded use of wood and related bioproducts as part of an expanding bioeconomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wout Boerjan
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Technologiepark 71, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Steven H Strauss
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
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2
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Donev EN, Derba‐Maceluch M, Yassin Z, Gandla ML, Pramod S, Heinonen E, Kumar V, Scheepers G, Vilaplana F, Johansson U, Hertzberg M, Sundberg B, Winestrand S, Hörnberg A, Alriksson B, Jönsson LJ, Mellerowicz EJ. Field testing of transgenic aspen from large greenhouse screening identifies unexpected winners. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:1005-1021. [PMID: 36668687 PMCID: PMC10106850 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Trees constitute promising renewable feedstocks for biorefinery using biochemical conversion, but their recalcitrance restricts their attractiveness for the industry. To obtain trees with reduced recalcitrance, large-scale genetic engineering experiments were performed in hybrid aspen blindly targeting genes expressed during wood formation and 32 lines representing seven constructs were selected for characterization in the field. Here we report phenotypes of five-year old trees considering 49 traits related to growth and wood properties. The best performing construct considering growth and glucose yield in saccharification with acid pretreatment had suppressed expression of the gene encoding an uncharacterized 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (2OGD). It showed minor changes in wood chemistry but increased nanoporosity and glucose conversion. Suppressed levels of SUCROSE SYNTHASE, (SuSy), CINNAMATE 4-HYDROXYLASE (C4H) and increased levels of GTPase activating protein for ADP-ribosylation factor ZAC led to significant growth reductions and anatomical abnormalities. However, C4H and SuSy constructs greatly improved glucose yields in saccharification without and with pretreatment, respectively. Traits associated with high glucose yields were different for saccharification with and without pretreatment. While carbohydrates, phenolics and tension wood contents positively impacted the yields without pretreatment and growth, lignin content and S/G ratio were negative factors, the yields with pretreatment positively correlated with S lignin and negatively with carbohydrate contents. The genotypes with high glucose yields had increased nanoporosity and mGlcA/Xyl ratio, and some had shorter polymers extractable with subcritical water compared to wild-type. The pilot-scale industrial-like pretreatment of best-performing 2OGD construct confirmed its superior sugar yields, supporting our strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeniy N. Donev
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
| | - Marta Derba‐Maceluch
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
| | - Zakiya Yassin
- Enhet Produktionssystem och MaterialRISE Research Institutes of SwedenVäxjöSweden
| | | | - Sivan Pramod
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
- Division of Glycoscience, Department of ChemistryKTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University CentreStockholmSweden
| | - Emilia Heinonen
- Division of Glycoscience, Department of ChemistryKTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University CentreStockholmSweden
- Wallenberg Wood Science Centre (WWSC)KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyStockholmSweden
| | - Vikash Kumar
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
| | - Gerhard Scheepers
- Enhet Produktionssystem och MaterialRISE Research Institutes of SwedenVäxjöSweden
| | - Francisco Vilaplana
- Division of Glycoscience, Department of ChemistryKTH Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova University CentreStockholmSweden
- Wallenberg Wood Science Centre (WWSC)KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyStockholmSweden
| | - Ulf Johansson
- Tönnersjöheden Experimental ForestSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesSimlångsdalenSweden
| | | | - Björn Sundberg
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
| | | | | | | | | | - Ewa J. Mellerowicz
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science CentreSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
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Marini L, Ayres MP, Jactel H. Impact of Stand and Landscape Management on Forest Pest Damage. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 67:181-199. [PMID: 34606366 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-062321-065511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
One promising approach to mitigate the negative impacts of insect pests in forests is to adapt forestry practices to create ecosystems that are more resistant and resilient to biotic disturbances. At the stand scale, local stand management practices often cause idiosyncratic effects on forest pests depending on the environmental context and the focal pest species. However, increasing tree diversity appears to be a general strategy for reducing pest damage across several forest types. At the landscape scale, increasing forest heterogeneity (e.g., intermixing different forest types and/or age classes) represents a promising frontier for improving forest resistance and resilience and for avoiding large-scale outbreaks. In addition to their greater resilience, heterogeneous forest landscapes frequently support a wide range of ecosystem functions and services. A challenge will be to develop cooperation and coordination among multiple actors at spatial scales that transcend historical practices in forest management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Marini
- DAFNAE, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy;
| | - Matthew P Ayres
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA
| | - Hervé Jactel
- INRAE, University of Bordeaux, BIOGECO, F-33610 Cestas, France
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Dort EN, Tanguay P, Hamelin RC. CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing: An Unexplored Frontier for Forest Pathology. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:1126. [PMID: 32793272 PMCID: PMC7387688 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.01126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology has taken the scientific community by storm since its development in 2012. First discovered in 1987, CRISPR/Cas systems act as an adaptive immune response in archaea and bacteria that defends against invading bacteriophages and plasmids. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology modifies this immune response to function in eukaryotic cells as a highly specific, RNA-guided complex that can edit almost any genetic target. This technology has applications in all biological fields, including plant pathology. However, examples of its use in forest pathology are essentially nonexistent. The aim of this review is to give researchers a deeper understanding of the native CRISPR/Cas systems and how they were adapted into the CRISPR/Cas9 technology used today in plant pathology-this information is crucial for researchers aiming to use this technology in the pathosystems they study. We review the current applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in plant pathology and propose future directions for research in forest pathosystems where this technology is currently underutilized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika N. Dort
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Philippe Tanguay
- Laurentian Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Richard C. Hamelin
- Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
- Département des Sciences du bois et de la Forêt, Faculté de Foresterie et Géographie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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5
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Derba-Maceluch M, Amini F, Donev EN, Pawar PMA, Michaud L, Johansson U, Albrectsen BR, Mellerowicz EJ. Cell Wall Acetylation in Hybrid Aspen Affects Field Performance, Foliar Phenolic Composition and Resistance to Biological Stress Factors in a Construct-Dependent Fashion. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:651. [PMID: 32528503 PMCID: PMC7265884 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The production of biofuels and "green" chemicals from the lignocellulose of fast-growing hardwood species is hampered by extensive acetylation of xylan. Different strategies have been implemented to reduce xylan acetylation, resulting in transgenic plants that show good growth in the greenhouse, improved saccharification and fermentation, but the field performance of such plants has not yet been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of reduced acetylation on field productivity and identify the best strategies for decreasing acetylation. Growth and biological stress data were evaluated for 18 hybrid aspen lines with 10-20% reductions in the cell wall acetyl content from a five year field experiment in Southern Sweden. The reduction in acetyl content was achieved either by suppressing the process of acetylation in the Golgi by reducing expression of REDUCED WALL ACETYLATION (RWA) genes, or by post-synthetic acetyl removal by fungal acetyl xylan esterases (AXEs) from two different families, CE1 and CE5, targeting them to cell walls. Transgene expression was regulated by either a constitutive promoter (35S) or a wood-specific promoter (WP). For the majority of transgenic lines, growth was either similar to that in WT and transgenic control (WP:GUS) plants, or slightly reduced. The slight reduction was observed in the AXE-expressing lines regulated by the 35S promoter, not those with the WP promoter which limits expression to cells developing secondary walls. Expressing AXEs regulated by the 35S promoter resulted in increased foliar arthropod chewing, and altered condensed tannins and salicinoid phenolic glucosides (SPGs) profiles. Greater growth inhibition was observed in the case of CE5 than with CE1 AXE, and it was associated with increased foliar necrosis and distinct SPG profiles, suggesting that CE5 AXE could be recognized by the pathogen-associated molecular pattern system. For each of three different constructs, there was a line with dwarfism and growth abnormalities, suggesting random genetic/epigenetic changes. This high frequency of dwarfism (17%) is suggestive of a link between acetyl metabolism and chromatin function. These data represent the first evaluation of acetyl-reduced plants from the field, indicating some possible pitfalls, and identifying the best strategies, when developing highly productive acetyl-reduced feedstocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Derba-Maceluch
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Fariba Amini
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Arak University, Arak, Iran
| | - Evgeniy N. Donev
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Prashant Mohan-Anupama Pawar
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lisa Michaud
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ulf Johansson
- Tönnersjöheden Experimental Forest, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Simlångsdalen, Sweden
| | | | - Ewa J. Mellerowicz
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umeå Plant Science Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Ewa J. Mellerowicz,
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6
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Raybould A. Hypothesis-Led Ecological Risk Assessment of GM Crops to Support Decision-Making About Product Use. GMOS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-53183-6_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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7
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Yevtushenko DP, Misra S. Enhancing disease resistance in poplar through modification of its natural defense pathway. PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 100:481-494. [PMID: 31073810 DOI: 10.1007/s11103-019-00874-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Modification of the poplar defense pathway through pathogen-induced expression of an amphibian host defense peptide modulates plant innate immunity and confers robust and reliable resistance against a major poplar pathogen, Septoria musiva. Host defense peptides (HDPs), also known as cationic antimicrobial peptides, represent a diverse group of small membrane-active molecules that are part of the innate defense system of their hosts against pathogen invasion. Here we describe a strategy for development of poplar plants with enhanced HDP production and resistance to the commercially significant fungal pathogen Septoria musiva. The naturally occurring linear amphipathic α-helical HDP dermaseptin B1, which has 31 residues and originated from the skin secretion of arboreal frogs, was N-terminally modified (MsrA2) and evaluated in vitro for antifungal activity and phytotoxicity. The MsrA2 peptide inhibited germination of S. musiva conidia at physiologically relevant low micromolar concentrations that were non-toxic to poplar protoplasts. The nucleotide sequence of MsrA2, optimized for expression in plants, was introduced into the commercial hybrid poplar Populus nigra L. × P. maximowiczii A. Henry (NM6) via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgene expression was regulated by the pathogen-inducible poplar promoter win3.12T, a part of the poplar innate defense system. Most importantly, the induced accumulation of MsrA2 peptide in poplar leaves was sufficient to confer resistance against S. musiva. The antifungal resistance of plants with high MsrA2 expression and MsrA2 accumulation was strong and reproducible, and without deleterious effects on plant growth and development. These results provide an insight into development of new technologies for engineering durable disease resistance against major pathogens of poplar and other plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmytro P Yevtushenko
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada.
| | - Santosh Misra
- Department of Biochemistry & Microbiology, Centre for Forest Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 3P6, Canada
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8
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Lu H, Klocko AL, Brunner AM, Ma C, Magnuson AC, Howe GT, An X, Strauss SH. RNA interference suppression of AGAMOUS and SEEDSTICK alters floral organ identity and impairs floral organ determinacy, ovule differentiation, and seed-hair development in Populus. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2019; 222:923-937. [PMID: 30565259 PMCID: PMC6590139 DOI: 10.1111/nph.15648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The role of the floral homeotic gene AGAMOUS (AG) and its close homologues in development of anemophilous, unisexual catkins has not previously been studied. We transformed two RNA interference (RNAi) constructs, PTG and its matrix-attachment-region flanked version MPG, into the early-flowering female poplar clone 6K10 (Populus alba) to suppress the expression of its two duplicate AG orthologues. By early 2018, six out of 22 flowering PTG events and 11 out of 12 flowering MPG events showed modified floral phenotypes in a field trial in Oregon, USA. Flowers in catkins from modified events had 'carpel-inside-carpel' phenotypes. Complete disruption of seed production was observed in seven events, and sterile anther-like organs in 10 events. Events with strong co-suppression of both the two AG and two SEEDSTICK (STK) paralogues lacked both seeds and associated seed hairs. Alterations in all of the modified floral phenotypes were stable over 4 yr of study. Trees from floral-modified events did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from nonmodified transgenic or nontransgenic controls in biomass growth or leaf morphology. AG and STK genes show strong conservation of gene function during poplar catkin development and are promising targets for genetic containment of exotic or genetically engineered trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiwei Lu
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and SocietyOregon State UniversityCorvallisOR97331USA
| | - Amy L. Klocko
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and SocietyOregon State UniversityCorvallisOR97331USA
- Department of BiologyUniversity of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado SpringsCO80918USA
| | - Amy M. Brunner
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and SocietyOregon State UniversityCorvallisOR97331USA
- Department of Forest Resources and Environmental ConservationVirginia TechBlacksburgVA24061USA
| | - Cathleen Ma
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and SocietyOregon State UniversityCorvallisOR97331USA
| | - Anna C. Magnuson
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and SocietyOregon State UniversityCorvallisOR97331USA
| | - Glenn T. Howe
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and SocietyOregon State UniversityCorvallisOR97331USA
| | - Xinmin An
- National Engineering Laboratory for Tree BreedingCollege of Biological Sciences and BiotechnologyBeijing Forestry UniversityBeijing100083China
| | - Steven H. Strauss
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and SocietyOregon State UniversityCorvallisOR97331USA
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9
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Clifton‐Brown J, Harfouche A, Casler MD, Dylan Jones H, Macalpine WJ, Murphy‐Bokern D, Smart LB, Adler A, Ashman C, Awty‐Carroll D, Bastien C, Bopper S, Botnari V, Brancourt‐Hulmel M, Chen Z, Clark LV, Cosentino S, Dalton S, Davey C, Dolstra O, Donnison I, Flavell R, Greef J, Hanley S, Hastings A, Hertzberg M, Hsu T, Huang LS, Iurato A, Jensen E, Jin X, Jørgensen U, Kiesel A, Kim D, Liu J, McCalmont JP, McMahon BG, Mos M, Robson P, Sacks EJ, Sandu A, Scalici G, Schwarz K, Scordia D, Shafiei R, Shield I, Slavov G, Stanton BJ, Swaminathan K, Taylor G, Torres AF, Trindade LM, Tschaplinski T, Tuskan GA, Yamada T, Yeon Yu C, Zalesny RS, Zong J, Lewandowski I. Breeding progress and preparedness for mass-scale deployment of perennial lignocellulosic biomass crops switchgrass, miscanthus, willow and poplar. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY. BIOENERGY 2019; 11:118-151. [PMID: 30854028 PMCID: PMC6392185 DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.12566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Genetic improvement through breeding is one of the key approaches to increasing biomass supply. This paper documents the breeding progress to date for four perennial biomass crops (PBCs) that have high output-input energy ratios: namely Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), species of the genera Miscanthus (miscanthus), Salix (willow) and Populus (poplar). For each crop, we report on the size of germplasm collections, the efforts to date to phenotype and genotype, the diversity available for breeding and on the scale of breeding work as indicated by number of attempted crosses. We also report on the development of faster and more precise breeding using molecular breeding techniques. Poplar is the model tree for genetic studies and is furthest ahead in terms of biological knowledge and genetic resources. Linkage maps, transgenesis and genome editing methods are now being used in commercially focused poplar breeding. These are in development in switchgrass, miscanthus and willow generating large genetic and phenotypic data sets requiring concomitant efforts in informatics to create summaries that can be accessed and used by practical breeders. Cultivars of switchgrass and miscanthus can be seed-based synthetic populations, semihybrids or clones. Willow and poplar cultivars are commercially deployed as clones. At local and regional level, the most advanced cultivars in each crop are at technology readiness levels which could be scaled to planting rates of thousands of hectares per year in about 5 years with existing commercial developers. Investment in further development of better cultivars is subject to current market failure and the long breeding cycles. We conclude that sustained public investment in breeding plays a key role in delivering future mass-scale deployment of PBCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Clifton‐Brown
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural SciencesAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | - Antoine Harfouche
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agrofood and Forest systemsUniversity of TusciaViterboItaly
| | | | - Huw Dylan Jones
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural SciencesAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | | | | | - Lawrence B. Smart
- Horticulture Section, School of Integrative Plant ScienceCornell UniversityGenevaNew York
| | - Anneli Adler
- SweTree Technologies ABUmeåSweden
- Institute of Crop Production EcologySwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
| | - Chris Ashman
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural SciencesAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | - Danny Awty‐Carroll
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural SciencesAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | | | - Sebastian Bopper
- Department of Seed Science and Technology, Institute of Plant Breeding, Seed Science and Population GeneticsUniversity of HohenheimStuttgartGermany
| | - Vasile Botnari
- Institute of Genetics, Physiology and Plant Protection (IGFPP) of Academy of Sciences of MoldovaChisinauMoldova
| | | | - Zhiyong Chen
- Insitute of MiscanthusHunan Agricultural UniversityHunan ChangshaChina
| | - Lindsay V. Clark
- Department of Crop Sciences & Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, 279 Edward R Madigan LaboratoryUniversity of IllinoisUrbanaIllinois
| | - Salvatore Cosentino
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura Alimentazione e AmbienteUniversità degli Studi di CataniaCataniaItaly
| | - Sue Dalton
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural SciencesAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | - Chris Davey
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural SciencesAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | - Oene Dolstra
- Plant BreedingWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Iain Donnison
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural SciencesAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | | | - Joerg Greef
- Julius Kuhn‐Institut (JKI)Bundesforschungsinstitut fur KulturpflanzenBraunschweigGermany
| | | | - Astley Hastings
- Institute of Biological and Environmental ScienceUniversity of AberdeenAberdeenUK
| | | | - Tsai‐Wen Hsu
- Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute (TESRI)Nantou CountyTaiwan
| | - Lin S. Huang
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural SciencesAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | - Antonella Iurato
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural SciencesAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | - Elaine Jensen
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural SciencesAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | - Xiaoli Jin
- Department of Agronomy & The Key Laboratory of Crop Germplasm Resource of Zhejiang ProvinceZhejiang UniversityHangzhouChina
| | - Uffe Jørgensen
- Department of AgroecologyAarhus University Centre for Circular BioeconomyTjeleDenmark
| | - Andreas Kiesel
- Department of Biobased Products and Energy Crops, Institute of Crop ScienceUniversity of HohenheimStuttgartGermany
| | - Do‐Soon Kim
- Department of Plant Sciences, Research Institute of Agriculture & Life Sciences, CALSSeoul National UniversitySeoulKorea
| | - Jianxiu Liu
- Institute of BotanyJiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of SciencesNanjingChina
| | - Jon P. McCalmont
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural SciencesAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | - Bernard G. McMahon
- Natural Resources Research InstituteUniversity of Minnesota – DuluthDuluthMinnesota
| | | | - Paul Robson
- Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural SciencesAberystwyth UniversityAberystwythUK
| | - Erik J. Sacks
- Department of Crop Sciences & Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, 279 Edward R Madigan LaboratoryUniversity of IllinoisUrbanaIllinois
| | - Anatolii Sandu
- Institute of Genetics, Physiology and Plant Protection (IGFPP) of Academy of Sciences of MoldovaChisinauMoldova
| | - Giovanni Scalici
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura Alimentazione e AmbienteUniversità degli Studi di CataniaCataniaItaly
| | - Kai Schwarz
- Julius Kuhn‐Institut (JKI)Bundesforschungsinstitut fur KulturpflanzenBraunschweigGermany
| | - Danilo Scordia
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura Alimentazione e AmbienteUniversità degli Studi di CataniaCataniaItaly
| | - Reza Shafiei
- James Hutton InstituteUniversity of DundeeDundeeUK
| | | | | | | | | | - Gail Taylor
- Biological SciencesUniversity of SouthamptonSouthamptonUK
| | - Andres F. Torres
- Plant BreedingWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Luisa M. Trindade
- Plant BreedingWageningen University & ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Timothy Tschaplinski
- The Center for Bioenergy InnovationOak Ridge National LaboratoryOak RidgeTennessee
| | - Gerald A. Tuskan
- The Center for Bioenergy InnovationOak Ridge National LaboratoryOak RidgeTennessee
| | - Toshihiko Yamada
- Field Science Centre for the Northern BiosphereHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Chang Yeon Yu
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 2Kangwon National UniversityChuncheonSouth Korea
| | | | - Junqin Zong
- Institute of BotanyJiangsu Province and Chinese Academy of SciencesNanjingChina
| | - Iris Lewandowski
- Department of Biobased Products and Energy Crops, Institute of Crop ScienceUniversity of HohenheimStuttgartGermany
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10
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Fritsche S, Klocko AL, Boron A, Brunner AM, Thorlby G. Strategies for Engineering Reproductive Sterility in Plantation Forests. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:1671. [PMID: 30498505 PMCID: PMC6249417 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.01671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A considerable body of research exists concerning the development of technologies to engineer sterility in forest trees. The primary driver for this work has been to mitigate concerns arising from gene flow from commercial plantings of genetically engineered (GE) trees to non-GE plantations, or to wild or feral relatives. More recently, there has been interest in the use of sterility technologies as a means to mitigate the global environmental and socio-economic damage caused by the escape of non-native invasive tree species from planted forests. The current sophisticated understanding of the molecular processes underpinning sexual reproduction in angiosperms has facilitated the successful demonstration of a number of control strategies in hardwood tree species, particularly in the model hardwood tree Poplar. Despite gymnosperm softwood trees, such as pines, making up the majority of the global planted forest estate, only pollen sterility, via cell ablation, has been demonstrated in softwoods. Progress has been limited by the lack of an endogenous model system, long timescales required for testing, and key differences between softwood reproductive pathways and those of well characterized angiosperm model systems. The availability of comprehensive genome and transcriptome resources has allowed unprecedented insights into the reproductive processes of both hardwood and softwood tree species. This increased fundamental knowledge together with the implementation of new breeding technologies, such as gene editing, which potentially face a less oppressive regulatory regime, is making the implementation of engineered sterility into commercial forestry a realistic possibility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amy L. Klocko
- Department of Biology, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
| | | | - Amy M. Brunner
- Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
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Klocko AL, Lu H, Magnuson A, Brunner AM, Ma C, Strauss SH. Phenotypic Expression and Stability in a Large-Scale Field Study of Genetically Engineered Poplars Containing Sexual Containment Transgenes. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2018; 6:100. [PMID: 30123794 PMCID: PMC6085431 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2018.00100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic engineering (GE) has the potential to help meet demand for forest products and ecological services. However, high research and development costs, market restrictions, and regulatory obstacles to performing field tests have severely limited the extent and duration of field research. There is a notable paucity of field studies of flowering GE trees due to the time frame required and regulatory constraints. Here we summarize our findings from field testing over 3,300 GE poplar trees and 948 transformation events in a single, 3.6 hectare field trial for seven growing seasons; this trial appears to be the largest field-based scientific study of GE forest trees in the world. The goal was to assess a diversity of approaches for obtaining bisexual sterility by modifying RNA expression or protein function of floral regulatory genes, including LEAFY, AGAMOUS, APETALA1, SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE, and FLOWERING LOCUS T. Two female and one male clone were transformed with up to 23 different genetic constructs designed to obtain sterile flowers or delay onset of flowering. To prevent gene flow by pollen and facilitate regulatory approval, the test genotypes chosen were incompatible with native poplars in the area. We monitored tree survival, growth, floral onset, floral abundance, pollen production, seed formation and seed viability. Tree survival was above 95%, and variation in site conditions generally had a larger impact on vegetative performance and onset of flowering than did genetic constructs. Floral traits, when modified, were stable over three to five flowering seasons, and we successfully identified RNAi or overexpression constructs that either postponed floral onset or led to sterile flowers. There was an absence of detectable somaclonal variation; no trees were identified that showed vegetative or floral modifications that did not appear to be related to the transgene added. Surveys for seedling and sucker establishment both within and around the plantation identified small numbers of vegetative shoots (root sprouts) but no seedlings, indicative of a lack of establishment of trees via seeds in the area. Overall, this long term study showed that GE containment traits can be obtained which are effective, stable, and not associated with vegetative abnormalities or somaclonal variation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Steven H. Strauss
- Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
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