Identification and characterization of CBF/DREB1-related genes in Populus hopeiensis

The dehydration-responsive element-binding factor （DREB） is a plant-specific family of transcription factors and plays an important role in plant response and adaptation to abiotic stress. In the present work, two highly similar CBF/DREB l-like genes, designated as PhCBF4a and PhCBF4b, were identified from Populus hopeiensis. These two genes contain all conserved domains known to exist in other CBF/DREB1 genes. In the AP2 domain, there is only one different amino acid residue between PhCBF4a and PhCBF4b, alanine or valine, a nonpolar amino acid, suggesting that PhCBF4a and PhCBF4b may have similar DNA binding ability. Their expression is induced by water-loss treatment and their expression patterns are similar. Moreover, with a genomic DNA as template, the presence of the same bands in PCR products as those in expression pattern analysis indicated that PhCBF4a and PhCBF4b exist in the genome ofP. hopeiensis. Their detailed functions are discussed and will need further study.

Comparison and early selection of new clones in Populus tomentosa

In our study, two experimental plantations, respectively, with 24 and 32 new clones of P tomentosa, were established in Weixian County, Hebei Province and Wuzhi County, Henan Province using a completely randomized block design. A comparative study was conducted on the continuous 5-year-old height and diameter at breast height （DBH） of new clones in the two plantations. As well, based on genetic correlation over the years of testing of these clones, a preliminary study of early selection was carried out. Results indicate that the growth traits of the new clones in Weixian were better than those in Wuzhi. The traits show weak correlation between the two plantations. In some stands, the height, DBH and seedling volume of 5-year-old clones presented statistically significant differences among clones. In both plantations, the new clones showed over 0.6 repeatability of height, DBH and volume, as well as larger coefficients of variation （CV）. The fact that these clones achieved the largest repeatability and CV in the second year suggests that these traits are highly controlled by heredity. Thus, based on the growth traits of the second year, the new clones B305, B307, B303, H75, BT18, BT17 and 21J-1 were considered suitable in Weixian. In Wuzhi, the new clones had variable repeatability and CVs in various years and their correlation of growth traits among different years was not high. We conclude that early selection of new clones was not feasible in Wuzhi.

RNA interference and its application in plants

RNA interference （RNAi）, a process that inhibits gene expression by the double-stranded RNA （dsRNA）, causes the degradation of target messenger RNA molecules. RNAi exists in almost all organisms. We review the recent history of RNAi studies, RNAi molecular mechanisms, characteristics and RNAi applications in higher plants. At the same time, the prospect of RNAi applications in functional genomics and genetic improvement of higher plants and possible future problems and possibilities are also discussed.

Model of leaf energy distribution and its experimental validation of Populus tomentosa Carr

Leaf temperature of a plant is the result of heat transfer between the plant and its environment. There are many factors that can affect leaf temperature, such as the solar radiation energy, environmental temperature, wind velocity, evaporation on the leaf surface, photosynthesis, respiration and so on, which have different effects on the temperature of leaves. In first instance, we analyzed the heat transfer on leaves of Populus tomentosa Carr. theoretically and constructed a model of energy distribution. We then validated the model by analyzing seven different kinds of one-year-old P. tomentosa leaves experimentally. The result shows that solar radiation is the main energy input and the dominant ways of thermal diffusion are heat transfer between the upper and lower leaf surfaces and evaporation from the leaf surface.

Successful Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Populus tomentosa with apple SPDS gene

The problem of salinized soils has become one of the most serious constraints to agricultural and forest productivity. With the purpose of enhancing salt stress tolerance of Populus tomentosa, we transformed this tree species with spermidine synthase （SPDS） genes derived from an apple by an Agrobacterium-mediated method. Four transgenic clones were confu＇med by PCR and Southern blot analysis. As well, the expression of introduced SPDS genes was analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR.

Establishment of cell suspension line of Populus tomentosa Carr

Leaves of fine Populus tomentosa genotype TC152 were used as explants to establish cell suspension lines. The effects of plant growth regulators on callus induction and establishment of cell suspension lines were studied. The callus induction rate was the highest on a MS solid medium supplemented with 1.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D. A cell suspension line could be obtained by inoculating calli which were not subcultured into a MS liquid medium supplemented with 1.5 mg·L^-1 2,4-D. The best subculture medium was MS ＋ 0.8 mg＇L-1 2,4-D ＋ 30 g·L^-1 sucrose with a subculture cycle of seven days.

Progress in the Study of Molecular Genetic Improvements of Poplar in China

The poplar is one of the most economically important and intensively studied tree species owing to its wide application in the timber industry and as a model material for the study of woody plants. The natural resource of poplars in China is replete. Over the past 10 years, the application of molecular biological techniques to genetic improvements in poplar species has been widely studied in China. Recent advances in molecular genetic improvements of poplar, including cDNA library construction, gene cloning and identification, genetic engineering, gene expression, genetic linkage map construction, mapping of quantitative trait loci （QTL） and molecular-assisted selection, are reviewed in the present paper. In addition, the application of modern biotechnology to molecular improvements in the genetic traits of the poplar and some unsolved problems are discussed.