Genetics and Genomics of Populus provides an indepth description of the genetic and genomic tools and approaches for Populus, examines the biology that has been elucidated using genomics, and looks to the future of this unique model plant. This volume is designed to serve both experienced Populus researchers and newcomers to the field. Contributors to the volume are a blend of researchers, some who have spent most of their research career on Populus and others that have moved to Populus from other model systems. Research on Populus forms a useful complement to research on Arabidopsis. In fact, many plant species found in nature are -- in terms of the life history and genetics -- more similar to Populus than to Arabidopsis. Thus, the genetic and genomic strategies and tools developed by the Populus community, and showcased in this volume, will hopefully provide inspiration for researchers working in other, less well developed, systems.
Part I: Overview and an introduction to the biology of Populus. 1: Why and how Populus became a 'model tree'. 2: Salient Biological Features, Systematics and Genetics Variation of Populus. 3: Growth and Physiology.- Part II: Populus genetics and genomics. -Chapter 4: The Populus Genome and Comparative Genomics. 5: Nucleotide polymorphism, linkage disequilibrium and complex trait dissection in Populus. 6: Transformation as a tool for genetic analysis in Populus. 7: Populus resources and bioinformatics.- Part III: Genetics and genomics of key Populus traits. 8: Reproductive development in Populus. 9: Perennial life style of aspen: dormancy cycling and overwintering. 10: Wood Formation in Populus. 11:Populus responses to Abiotic Stress. 12: Defense and nutrient mutualisms in Populus. 13: The Impact of Genomics on Advances in Herbivore Defense and Secondary Metabolism in Populus.- Part IV: Populus for the future. 14: Populus Breeding: From the Classical to the Genomic Approach. 15: Conservation Genomics.
Stefan Jansson is Professor at Umea Plant Science Centre, Department of Plant Physiology, Umea University. He was the European coordinator during the Populus genome sequencing initiative, and has a research focus on natural variation and autumn senescence. Andrew T. Groover studies the developmental biology of forest trees, with a primary focus on secondary growth and wood formation. He is a Geneticist and Director of the Institute of Forest Genetics, US Forest Service, in Davis California. Rishikesh P. Bhalarao is Professor at Umea Plant Science Centre, Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. His primary research interests are auxin signaling and seasonal activity/dormancy transitions of the cambium.