Analysis of BAC end sequences in oak, a keystone forest tree species, providing insight into the composition of its genome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>One of the key goals of oak genomics research is to identify genes of adaptive significance. This information may help to improve the conservation of adaptive genetic variation and the management of forests to increase their health and productivity. Deep-coverage large-insert genomic libraries are a crucial tool for attaining this objective. We report herein the construction of a BAC library for <it>Quercus robur</it>, its characterization and an analysis of BAC end sequences.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The <it>Eco</it>RI library generated consisted of 92,160 clones, 7% of which had no insert. Levels of chloroplast and mitochondrial contamination were below 3% and 1%, respectively. Mean clone insert size was estimated at 135 kb. The library represents 12 haploid genome equivalents and, the likelihood of finding a particular oak sequence of interest is greater than 99%. Genome coverage was confirmed by PCR screening of the library with 60 unique genetic loci sampled from the genetic linkage map. In total, about 20,000 high-quality BAC end sequences (BESs) were generated by sequencing 15,000 clones. Roughly 5.88% of the combined BAC end sequence length corresponded to known retroelements while <it>ab initio </it>repeat detection methods identified 41 additional repeats. Collectively, characterized and novel repeats account for roughly 8.94% of the genome. Further analysis of the BESs revealed 1,823 putative genes suggesting at least 29,340 genes in the oak genome. BESs were aligned with the genome sequences of <it>Arabidopsis thaliana</it>, <it>Vitis vinifera </it>and <it>Populus trichocarpa</it>. One putative collinear microsyntenic region encoding an alcohol acyl transferase protein was observed between oak and chromosome 2 of <it>V. vinifera.</it></p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This BAC library provides a new resource for genomic studies, including SSR marker development, physical mapping, comparative genomics and genome sequencing. BES analysis provided insight into the structure of the oak genome. These sequences will be used in the assembly of a future genome sequence for oak.</p

Comprehensive genetic dissection of wood properties in a widely-grown tropical tree: Eucalyptus

Background: Eucalyptus is an important genus in industrial plantations throughout the world and is grown for use as timber, pulp, paper and charcoal. Several breeding programmes have been launched worldwide to concomitantly improve growth performance and wood properties (WPs). In this study, an interspecific cross between Eucalyptus urophylla and E. grandis was used to identify major genomic regions (Quantitative Trait Loci, QTL) controlling the variability of WPs. Results: Linkage maps were generated for both parent species. A total of 117 QTLs were detected for a series of wood and end-use related traits, including chemical, technological, physical, mechanical and anatomical properties. The QTLs were mainly clustered into five linkage groups. In terms of distribution of QTL effects, our result agrees with the typical L-shape reported in most QTL studies, i.e. most WP QTLs had limited effects and only a few (13) had major effects (phenotypic variance explained &gt; 15%). The co-locations of QTLs for different WPs as well as QTLs and candidate genes are discussed in terms of phenotypic correlations between traits, and of the function of the candidate genes. The major wood property QTL harbours a gene encoding a Cinnamoyl CoA reductase (CCR), a structural enzyme of the monolignol-specific biosynthesis pathway. Conclusions: Given the number of traits analysed, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the genetic architecture of wood properties in this Eucalyptus full-sib pedigree. At the dawn of Eucalyptus genome sequence, it will provide a framework to identify the nature of genes underlying these important quantitative traits. (Résumé d'auteur

Early screening of new accumulating versus non-accumulating tree species for the phytomanagement of marginal lands

International audienceThe use of fast-growing trees producing a high quantity of biomass can bring significant practical and economic benefits to the reclamation of marginal lands. The present study aims to identify new shrub/tree species to offer a wider range of shrubs/trees useful for phytomanagement practices. We implemented three experimental sites in France of 1 ha each (Thann, Carrières-sous-Poissy and Leforest) contaminated by different potentially toxic elements (PTE) with a total of 38 different tree species. After two years of growth, the element concentrations in stem and leaf biomasses, tree survival rate and growth of plants were assessed. Although the three sites had elevated concentrations of total PTE and nutrients in their soil, the element contents in the trees strongly differed depending on the species. Alnus subcordata, Platanus orientalis, Ulmus pumila, Ostrya carpinifolia and the Acer species appeared to be well adapted to the drastic conditions of the sites and presented the lowest PTE concentrations in their aboveground biomass. Conversely, the Salix, Populus, Betula and Quercus species, especially Salix aquatica grandis, exhibited the highest accumulations of Cd, Zn and/or Mn at the three sites. Inoculation with the endomycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus irregularis did not have a significant impact on the growth of the tree species at the three sites after two growing seasons. Overall, the present study offers two options for the phytomanagement of marginal lands. The first option is based on the production of clean biomass, which is useful for plant-based industrial processes (e.g., biomaterials, bioenergy) that could valorize this biomass. The second option is based on the production of TE-enriched biomass that could be better exploited in the eco-catalysis process

Digestate improved birch (Betula pendula) growth and reduced leaf trace element contents at a red gypsum landfill

Revegetation of industrial landfills and mine tailing may restore key soil functions and reduce the environmental impacts of contaminants. These marginal sites are often characterized by phytotoxic levels of trace elements (TE) (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn) and low nutrient status (N, P, and K). The aim of this study was to test the effect of digestate and bacterial inoculation on soil physicochemical properties (pH, CaCl2 extractable Mn, and microbial enzyme activities) and birch (Betula pendula) growth and physiology on a red gypsum substrate in a lab-to-field experimental approach. The biomass of birches amended with digestate (D0.05% N) was on average 2- and 6-fold greater than that of control birch in the laboratory and field experiments, respectively. A higher concentration of digestate (0.1% N) had an inhibitory effect on plant growth, and reduced the survival rates of amended plants by 40% as compared with controls. The digestate (D0.05% N) treatment significantly increased leaf P and K contents while decreasing leaf Ca, Fe and Mn contents. Digestate also increased some key soil enzyme activities of C, N, P and S metabolism by &gt;10-fold compared with the control soil. In a phytomanagement scenario, digestate would be a preferred amendment resource for the production of clean birch leaf biomass on contaminated red gypsum landfill, as birch trees amended with digestate had lower leaf TE and higher leaf nutrient contents than control birches

Theor. appl. genet.

QTLs were identified for traits assessed on field-grown grafted grapevines. Root number and section had the largest phenotypic variance explained. Genetic control of root and aerial traits was independent. Breeding new rootstocks for perennial crops remains challenging, mainly because of the number of desirable traits which have to be combined, these traits include good rooting ability and root development. Consequently, the present study analyzes the genetic architecture of root traits in grapevine. A segregating progeny of 138 F1 genotypes issued from an inter-specific cross between Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet-Sauvignon × V. riparia cv. Gloire de Montpellier, used as rootstock, was phenotyped in grafted plants grown for 2 years in the field. Seven traits, related to aerial and root development, were quantified. Heritability ranged between 0.44 for aerial biomass to 0.7 for root number. Total root number was related to the number of fine roots, while root biomass was related to the number of coarse roots. Significant quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified for all the traits studied with some of them explaining approximately 20% of phenotypic variance. Only a single QTL co-localized for root and aerial biomass. Identified QTLs for aerial-to-root biomass ratio suggest that aerial and root traits are controlled independently. Genes known to be involved in auxin signaling pathways and phosphorus nutrition, whose orthologues were previously shown to regulate root development in Arabidopsis, were located in the confidence intervals of several QTLs. This study opens new perspectives for breeding rootstocks with improved root development capacities