Poplars

Abstract

AbstractIn recent years, poplars have provided some of the useful model systems for studying genetic modifications of trees with the eventual goal of improving economically important and environmentally beneficial traits in commercially important tree species. Current problems with the cost and supply of petroleum products have rejuvenated public interest in using poplars as bioenergy crops. While the fast growth, abundant woody biomass and short rotations are some of the attractive features of poplars from the biomass perspective, its small and well characterized genome and ease of crossing, transformation, and cloning have provided some of the important tools for their biotechnological applications. Significant improvements in quantity and composition of lignicellulosic biomass, herbicide tolerance and pest resistance, growth characteristics, and control of flowering in transgenic poplars are some of the examples of successful combinations of basic and applied sciences. The field performances of such transgenic poplar trees are also currently being intensively studied and due to their relatively longer life span compared to herbaceous crops, extended field trials are necessary to evaluate the economical and ecological impact of genetically modified trees for the benefit of society.