EVOTREE: What makes a tree a tree? Characterization and evolution of the gene regulatory network underlying wood formation: Betula pendula
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ABSTRACT: 3 individuals of Betula pendula x 1 series of pooled RNA-seq data from longitudinal tangential cryosections of tree trunk spanning differentiated phloem to differentiated xylem
Project description:3 individuals of Prunus avium x 1 series of pooled RNA-seq data from longitudinal tangential cryosections of tree trunk spanning differentiated phloem to differentiated xylem
Project description:3 individuals of Pinus contorta x 1 series of pooled RNA-seq data from longitudinal tangential cryosections of tree trunk spanning differentiated phloem to differentiated xylem
Project description:3 individuals of Picea abies x 1 series of pooled RNA-seq data from longitudinal tangential cryosections of tree trunk spanning differentiated phloem to differentiated xylem
Project description:3 individuals of Pinus sylvestris x 1 series of pooled RNA-seq data from longitudinal tangential cryosections of tree trunk spanning differentiated phloem to differentiated xylem
Project description:Foliar fungi of silver birch (Betula pendula) in an experimental Finnish forest were investigated across a gradient of tree species richness using molecular high-throughput sequencing and visual macroscopic assessment. We hypothesized that the molecular approach detects more fungal taxa than visual assessment, and that there is a relationship among the most common fungal taxa detected by both techniques. Furthermore, we hypothesized that the fungal community composition, diversity, and distribution patterns are affected by changes in tree diversity. Sequencing revealed greater diversity of fungi on birch leaves than the visual assessment method. One species showed a linear relationship between the methods. Species-specific variation in fungal community composition could be partially explained by tree diversity, though overall fungal diversity was not affected by tree diversity. Analysis of specific fungal taxa indicated tree diversity effects at the local neighbourhood scale, where the proportion of birch among neighbouring trees varied, but not at the plot scale. In conclusion, both methods may be used to determine tree diversity effects on the foliar fungal community. However, high-throughput sequencing provided higher resolution of the fungal community, while the visual macroscopic assessment detected functionally active fungal species.
Project description:EVOTREE: What makes a tree a tree? Characterization and evolution of the gene regulatory network underlying wood formation: Betula pendula
Project description:BACKGROUND AND AIMS:The increasing frequency of disturbances in temperate forests is responsible for the greater numbers of trees with mechanically damaged cambial zones. Adjustment of wood anatomical structure to balance between safe and efficient water conductivity is one mechanism trees employ to cope with mechanical damage. The relative role of disturbances, tree age and climate in shaping xylem conduits and affecting xylem hydraulic conductivity remains unknown. METHODS:We performed an experiment with five different mechanical treatments simulating natural disturbances of juvenile Betula pendula trees (stem scarring, tilting, decapitation, root exposure and stem-base burial). After 3 years, trees were cut down, conduit size and density were measured, and specific hydraulic conductivity of each tree ring was calculated. Between-tree and between-year variability in xylem conductivity was decomposed into effects of tree age, climate and disturbances using linear mixed-effects models. KEY RESULTS:Xylem-specific hydraulic conductivity decreased significantly after treatment in decapitated, tilted and scarred trees. In the last treatment, wood anatomical adjustment was restricted to the area next to the callus tissue zone; in contrast, specific hydraulic conductivity declined over the entire stem circumference after tilting or decapitation. The response of trees with buried stems and exposed roots was generally weak. The overall effect of disturbances on inter-annual variability of wood anatomical structure was greater than the contribution of tree age and climate. CONCLUSIONS:The results indicate that disturbances are important drivers of xylem hydraulic conductivity. Expected increases in the frequency and intensity of disturbances may alter the theoretical capacity of forest stands for water conductance with a feedback to climate.
Project description:Adventitious root formation is a key step in vegetative propagation via cuttings. It is crucial for establishing birch plantations and preserve birch varieties. Although previous studies have highlighted role of WOX11 in controlling adventitious root formation, no such study has been conducted in birch. Understanding the mechanism of adventitious root formation is essential for improvement of rooting or survival rate using stem cuttings in birch. In this study, we cloned BpWOX11 and produced BpWOX11 overexpression (OE) transgenic lines using the Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation. OE lines exhibited early initiated adventitious root formation, leading to increase the rooting rate of stem cuttings plants. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that OE lines induced the gene expression related to expansin and cell division pathway, as well as defense and stress response genes. These may be important factors for the BpWOX11 gene to promote adventitious root formation in birch cuttings. The results of this study will help to further understand the molecular mechanisms controlling the formation of adventitious roots in birch.