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Dept. of Energy, Biofuels Program
1999-2001
Disease Resistance, its Physiology and Genetics
J.D. Johnson
Washington State University - Puyallup, Puyallup, WA 98371
T.M. Hinckley
Collaborator; Division of Ecosystem Science & Conservation, College of Forest Resources, Universityof Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
H.D. Bradshaw
Collaborator; Center for Urban Horticulture, Universityof Washington,Seattle, WA 98195
Summary Statement
The genetic improvement of the native black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) and elucidation of components of productivity in this species have been the primary goals of a nearly three decade long cooperative program between Washington State University and the University of Washington. Early recognition of the growth potential of P. trichocarpa (Heilman et al. 1972), led researchers in 1978 to select this species as focus for a tree improvement program for short rotation intensive culture (SRIC). Rapid gains in productivity were made by hybridizing this species with P. deltoides, resulting in a doubling of yield in four-year rotations (Heilman and Stettler 1985). The production levels achieved are in the range of 20-25 Mg/ha/yr (~10 dry tons/acre/yr) of dry woody biomass (Stettler et al. 1988). As a result, SRIC of these fast-growing hybrid poplars has become an important commercial production system of pulp and wood in the Pacific Northwest (Abelson, 1991; Zsuffa et al., 1996). Today, the acreage of hybrid poplar plantations on both sides of the Cascade Range exceeds 25,000 ha, with more than 2,000 clones being tested in 25 field trials throughout the Pacific Northwest. In addition, many of the clones developed by the WSU/UW program are physically archived in clone arboreta located at various farms belonging to WSU-Puyallup and UW Center for Urban Horticulture. These arboreta represent a unique repository of poplar germplasm that has been shared with scientists in other regions of the US as well as around the world.
Introduction of these fast growing hybrid poplar clones developed by the WSU/UW program into other regions of the US, including the mid-west and southeast, would allow for significant production of biomass for energy as well as help counter global warming through carbon dioxide sequestration. Graham (1994) identified more than 158 million hectares of non-irrigated land in the contiguous U.S. as suitable for energy crops such as poplar. Renewable energy consumption in the U.S. increased in 1996 by 8% over 1995 levels. Hydropower generation constitutes 53% of renewable energy consumption, but biomass is not far behind at 41%, and wood is the main component of the biomass resource (Renewable Energy Annual, 1997).
Before introducing hybrid poplar into other regions of the US, it is necessary to control diseases that would otherwise limit the growth potential of these trees. Breeding for disease resistance is the main strategy for developing resistant hybrids that will thrive elsewhere. However, an understanding of host resistance/tolerance mechanisms, pathogen-host interactions, and pathogen life cycle are required before breeding efforts can be both successful and efficient (Newcombe, 1996) . The two most important diseases that limit poplar productivity in the US are leaf rust, caused by Melampsora spp. and stem canker, caused by Septoria musiva. Melampsora rust is the major foliar disease of hybrid poplar globally. Rust can kill young trees and reduce the growth of older trees by 30 to 40 % (Newcombe, 1996). Septoria canker is prevalent in the mid-west, aggressively attacking and killing the hybrid poplars while having little economic impact on the native eastern cottonwood (P. deltoides). One susceptible clone exhibited a 63% reduction in biomass due to Septoria canker (Pinon, 1984). Durability of disease resistance is a critical issue since the hybrids are grown over large areas and for rotations of from six to twenty or more years. For example, in western Europe where hybrid poplar culture is of long standing, clones selected for rust resistance have repeatedly succumbed in time to new races of Melampsora larici-populina Kleb. (Pinon, 1995). Similarly, in the Pacific Northwest, it is now apparent that many new races, or pathotypes, characterize the leaf rust population (Newcombe, unpublished). It is, therefore, imperative that we begin to develop an understanding of the mechanisms of how the host tree and pathogen interact in order to allow us to begin breeding for stable resistance in the hybrid poplars as well as develop proper cultural treatments that minimize disease incidence and/or impact. Stable resistance to these pathogens will ultimately result in higher yields due to the higher productivity of the WSU/UW hybrids and to lower production losses resulting from disease. This, coupled with increasing land area put into SRIC plantations, will substantially increase biofuel feedstock production in the US.
Importance of hybrid poplar
The WSU/UW poplar researchers recognized the benefits of studying Populus beyond meeting energy feedstock or regional fiber needs. Many attributes of Populus--its rapid growth, its suitability for cloning and tissue culture, its species diversity and the ease with which it can be bred and hybridized--have also made it an ideal model species for studies in tree growth and differentiation. Clonal propagation of specific genotypes permits their study in field, greenhouse and growth chamber environments. It also allows the simultaneous testing of progenies with their parents, or even grandparents, to elucidate trait transmission and expression. Tissue culture allows several techniques of genetic transformation and capturing of somaclonal variation. The Populus genome is modest in size (C = 0.5pg, Dhillon, 1987), which facilitates molecular analysis and speeds up the search for molecular markers associated with important disease resistance, physiological and morphological traits. These characteristics coupled with the ability to cross different Populus species enable us to resolve many phenomena of disease resistance, and growth and differentiation into their components and subsequently manipulate them in breeding programs. While some of the genetic-physiological mechanisms may be unique to Populus, others are likely to be common to other tree species.
PROPOSED TASKS
Task 1: Tree Breeding and Molecular Genetics
Controlled crosses for the genetic study of disease resistance and other selected traits
Breeding of known resistance clones, including P. nigra and P. maximowiczii, infusion of resistance gene(s) by traditional breeding and molecular biology methods for introduction into commercial hybrids
Task 2: Mechanisms of Disease Resistance
* A. Melampsora rust; develop stable, partial resistance in commercially important hybrids
B. Septoria canker; understand host/site factors controlling infection, determine mechanisms of resistance and identify traits/gene(s)
Task 3: Growth and Physiological Impacts of Disease
* A. Changes in carbon and nutrient allocation during symptom development in known susceptible and resistant clones
B. Physiological compensation to disease development and effects on tree growth
C. Cultural practices that exacerbate or ameliorate disease incidence by altering host physiology, including nutrition, spacing and clonal mixtures.
Task 4: Bio-control Strategies
A. Incidence of myco-parasites and their impact on pathogens
B. Deployment strategies for myco-parasites
Task 5: Maintenance of Genetic Collections
* A. Maintaining clone arboretum, clone banks, stool beds and existing plantations
Task 6: Database Management
* A. Database on all genetic materials and their pedigrees
* B. Database on field and research records
*Studies ongoing or initiated
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