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The Road to Resistance in Forest Trees
Sanushka Naidoo1, Bernard Slippers1, Jonathan M Plett2
1Division of Genetics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|April 20, 2019
Summary
Forests face increasing pest and pathogen threats, worsened by climate change. Developing resistant tree genotypes through breeding and genetic engineering is crucial for plantation forestry to enhance productivity and reduce losses.
Area of Science:
- Forestry and Plant Science
- Genetics and Genomics
- Plant Pathology and Entomology
Background:
- Forest plantations are increasingly vulnerable to pests and pathogens, exacerbated by climate change.
- Significant productivity losses occur due to biotic stresses in forest stock.
- There is a critical need for genotypes with enhanced resistance to biotic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in developing pest and pathogen resistance in forest trees.
- To explore the role of conventional breeding, genetic engineering, and genomic resources.
- To propose future strategies for creating superior forest genotypes with improved biotic stress resistance.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on forest tree defense mechanisms.
- Analysis of conventional breeding techniques for resistance.
- Evaluation of genetic engineering approaches utilizing genomic and omics data.
- Consideration of beneficial microbial associations for enhanced plant health.
Main Results:
- Genomic resources have accelerated the development of resistant tree genotypes.
- Genome-wide association studies and genomic selection are powerful breeding tools.
- Omics data integration aids in selecting candidate genes for genetic engineering.
- Microbial associations show potential for engineering improved resistance.
Conclusions:
- Both conventional breeding and genetic engineering are vital for developing resistant forest trees.
- Leveraging genomic and omics information is key to accelerating progress.
- Future research should focus on engineering microbial symbioses for enhanced biotic stress resistance in forest plantations.
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