The Spruce Genome

The Spruce Genome
Author: Ilga M. Porth
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 225
Release: 2020-08-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3030210014

This book offers comprehensive information on the genomics of spruces (Picea spp.), naturally abundant conifer tree species that are widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere. Due to their tremendous ecological and economic importance, the management of forest genetic resources has chiefly focused on conservation and tree improvement. A draft genome sequence of the 20-gigabase Norway spruce genome was published in the journal Nature in 2013. Continuous efforts to improve the spruce genome assembly are underway, but are hindered by the inherent characteristics of conifer genomes: high amounts of repetitive sequences (introns and transposable elements) in the genome and large gene family expansions with regards to abiotic stress, secondary metabolism and spruces' defense responses to pathogens and herbivory. This book presents the latest information on the status of genome assemblies, provides detailed insights into transposable elements and methylation patterns, and highlights the extensive genomic resources available for inferring population genomics and climate adaptation, as well as emerging genomics tools for tree improvement programs. In addition, this volume features whole-genome comparisons among conifer species, and demonstrates how functional genomics can be used to improve gene function annotations. The book closes with an outlook on emerging fields of research in spruce genomics.

Plant Genomes

Plant Genomes
Author: Jean-Nicolas Volff
Publisher: Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers
Total Pages: 155
Release: 2008-01-01
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 3805584911

Recent major advances in the field of comparative genomics and cytogenomics of plants, particularly associated with the completion of ambitious genome projects, have uncovered astonishing facets of the architecture and evolutionary history of plant genomes. The aim of this book was to review these recent developments as well as their implications in our understanding of the mechanisms which drive plant diversity. New insights into the evolution of gene functions, gene families and genome size are presented, with particular emphasis on the evolutionary impact of polyploidization and transposable elements. Knowledge on the structure and evolution of plant sex chromosomes, centromeres and microRNAs is reviewed and updated. Taken together, the contributions by internationally recognized experts present a panoramic overview of the structural features and evolutionary dynamics of plant genomes.This volume of Genome Dynamics will provide researchers, teachers and students in the fields of biology and agronomy with a valuable source of current knowledge on plant genomes.

The Golden Spruce

The Golden Spruce
Author: John Vaillant
Publisher: Vintage Canada
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2009-03-18
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0307371328

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S LITERARY AWARD FOR NON-FICTION • WINNER OF THE WRITERS’ TRUST NON-FICTION PRIZE “Absolutely spellbinding.” —The New York Times The environmental true-crime story of a glorious natural wonder, the man who destroyed it, and the fascinating, troubling context in which this act took place. FEATURING A NEW AFTERWORD BY THE AUTHOR On a winter night in 1997, a British Columbia timber scout named Grant Hadwin committed an act of shocking violence in the mythic Queen Charlotte Islands. His victim was legendary: a unique 300-year-old Sitka spruce tree, fifty metres tall and covered with luminous golden needles. In a bizarre environmental protest, Hadwin attacked the tree with a chainsaw. Two days later, it fell, horrifying an entire community. Not only was the golden spruce a scientific marvel and a tourist attraction, it was sacred to the Haida people and beloved by local loggers. Shortly after confessing to the crime, Hadwin disappeared under suspicious circumstances and is missing to this day. As John Vaillant deftly braids together the strands of this thrilling mystery, he brings to life the ancient beauty of the coastal wilderness, the historical collision of Europeans and the Haida, and the harrowing world of logging—the most dangerous land-based job in North America.

Forest Genomics and Biotechnology

Forest Genomics and Biotechnology
Author: Isabel Allona
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Total Pages: 185
Release: 2019-11-27
Genre:
ISBN: 2889631788

This Research Topic addresses research in genomics and biotechnology to improve the growth and quality of forest trees for wood, pulp, biorefineries and carbon capture. Forests are the world’s greatest repository of terrestrial biomass and biodiversity. Forests serve critical ecological services, supporting the preservation of fauna and flora, and water resources. Planted forests also offer a renewable source of timber, for pulp and paper production, and the biorefinery. Despite their fundamental role for society, thousands of hectares of forests are lost annually due to deforestation, pests, pathogens and urban development. As a consequence, there is an increasing need to develop trees that are more productive under lower inputs, while understanding how they adapt to the environment and respond to biotic and abiotic stress. Forest genomics and biotechnology, disciplines that study the genetic composition of trees and the methods required to modify them, began over a quarter of a century ago with the development of the first genetic maps and establishment of early methods of genetic transformation. Since then, genomics and biotechnology have impacted all research areas of forestry. Genome analyses of tree populations have uncovered genes involved in adaptation and response to biotic and abiotic stress. Genes that regulate growth and development have been identified, and in many cases their mechanisms of action have been described. Genetic transformation is now widely used to understand the roles of genes and to develop germplasm that is more suitable for commercial tree plantations. However, in contrast to many annual crops that have benefited from centuries of domestication and extensive genomic and biotechnology research, in forestry the field is still in its infancy. Thus, tremendous opportunities remain unexplored. This Research Topic aims to briefly summarize recent findings, to discuss long-term goals and to think ahead about future developments and how this can be applied to improve growth and quality of forest trees.

Somatic Cell Genetics and Molecular Genetics of Trees

Somatic Cell Genetics and Molecular Genetics of Trees
Author: M.R. Ahuja
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 285
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9401139830

This proceedings is based on a joint meeting of the two IUFRO (International Union of Forestry Research Organizations) Working Parties, Somatic Cell Genetics (S2.04-07) and Molecular Genetics (S2.04-06) held in Gent, Belgium, 26-30 September, 1995. Although a joint meeting of the two Working Parties had been discussed in the past, this was the first such meeting that became a successful reality. In fact this meeting provided an excellent forum for discussions and interactions in forest bioteclUlology that encouraged the participants to vote for a next joint meeting. In the past decade rapid progress has been made in the somatic cell genetics and molecular genetics of forest trees. In order to cover recent developments in the broad area of biotechnology, the scientific program of the meeting was divided into several sessions. These included somatic embryogenesis, regeneration, transformation, gene expression, molecular markers, genome mapping, and biotic and abiotic stresses. The regeneration of plants, produced by organogenesis or somatic embryogenesis, is necessary not only for mass cloning of forest trees, but also for its application in genetic transformation and molecular biology. Although micropropagation has been achieved from juvenile tissues in a number of forest tree species, in vitro regeneration from mature trees remains a challenging problem in most hardwoods and conifers. The mechanisms involved in the transition from juvenile to mature phase in woody plants are poorly understood. This transition can now be investigated at the molecular level.

Forest Trees

Forest Trees
Author: Chittaranjan Kole
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 252
Release: 2007-06-30
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3540345418

Forest trees cover one third of the global land surface, constitute many ecosystems, and play a pivotal role in the world economy. This volume details Populus trees, pines, Fagaceae trees, eucalypts, spruces, Douglas fir and black walnut, and offers a first-ever detailed review of Cryptomeria japonica. It thoroughly discusses innovative strategies to address the inherent problems of genome analysis of tree species.

Plant Genome Analysis

Plant Genome Analysis
Author: Peter M. Gresshoff
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 262
Release: 2020-09-10
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1000142272

Plant Genome Analysis presents outstanding analyses of technologies, as well as explanations of molecular technology as it pertains to agriculture. Advances in genome analysis, including DNA amplification (DAF and RAPD) markers, RFLPs, and microsatellites are reviewed by accomplished scientists, many of whom are the developers of the technique. Articles by patent lawyers experienced in plant biotechnology present the legal viewpoint. Chapters focus on special elements of genome analysis, such as the: use of antisense technology investigation of telomeres production of plant YACs importance of cell cycle genes in plants. Other chapters focus on specialized topics of genome analysis. These include a description of antisense technology in the study of photosynthesis and a comprehensive review of the characterization and isolation of plant telomere, including their use in varietal discrimination. A detailed anaysis of cytoplasmic male sterility in the french bean that focuses on the mitochondrial genome is described. The book provides a chapter on the production of yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) carrying soybean DNA. Genes of the cell cycle in plants and their importance in developmental processes are presented, as well as detailed chapters on the molecular mapping of trees (apples and pines), and nodulation-related genes in legumes. A comprehensive index and a complete glossary are included.

Genetics and Genomics of Forest Trees

Genetics and Genomics of Forest Trees
Author: Filippos A. (Phil) Aravanopoulos
Publisher: MDPI
Total Pages: 333
Release: 2018-11-23
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3038972983

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Genetics and Genomics of Forest Trees" that was published in Forests

The Conifers: Genomes, Variation and Evolution

The Conifers: Genomes, Variation and Evolution
Author: David B. Neale
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 593
Release: 2019-03-23
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3319468073

This book is the first comprehensive volume on conifers detailing their genomes, variations, and evolution. The book begins with general information about conifers such as taxonomy, geography, reproduction, life history, and social and economic importance. Then topics discussed include the full genome sequence, complex traits, phenotypic and genetic variations, landscape genomics, and forest health and conservation. This book also synthesizes the research included to provide a bigger picture and suggest an evolutionary trajectory. As a large plant family, conifers are an important part of economic botany. The group includes the pines, spruces, firs, larches, yews, junipers, cedars, cypresses, and sequoias. Of the phylum Coniferophyta, conifers typically bear cones and evergreen leaves. Recently, there has been much data available in conifer genomics with the publication of several crop and non-crop genome sequences. In addition to their economic importance, conifers are an important habitat for humans and animals, especially in developing parts of the world. The application of genomics for improving the productivity of conifer crops holds great promise to help provide resources for the most needy in the world.