By modifying the gene expressions responsible for
the branch growth during the first year of woody species, researchers of the
Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Genomics (CBGP UPM-INIA), a joint centre of
the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and the The National Institute for
Agricultural Research and Experimentation (INIA), have found a way of
increasing biomass production of a forest plantation without altering its
growth, composition or the wood anatomy. These results have an important market
value for the bioenergy sector, thus this study was protected by patent.
Lateral buds of most of the woody species in warm
and cold areas do not sprout in the same season that they are born. These buds,
called proleptics, remain latent and do not grow until the following spring. However,
some lateral buds sprout during the same season such as poplar trees, other
salicaceae species and many tropical species. This way, a syleptic branching
can increase de amount of branches, leaf area and the tree growth in general,
mainly during their first years of life.
On that basis, researchers at UPM have used a
biotechnological procedure to modify the gene expression levels of RAV1
(Related to ABI3 and Viviparous 1) that increases the development of sylleptic
branching of woody species. Thus, researchers have found a way of increasing
biomass production of a poplar plantation. This process of genetic modification
is potentially applicable to any woody species and using their adaptive
features to a particular habitat.
These results are of great interest for the
energy market. The biotechnological procedure used by these researchers can
guarantee the biomass sustainable production yields of woody species without
affecting food demand. These results can also mitigate the effects of global
warming and to enhance energy security. Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com
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