Populus is considered the model organism for the study of woody perennials, and represents the first tree genome to be fully sequenced. Populus is also one of only a few species that are capable of establishing associations with both arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi, as well as various specific endophytic and rhizosphere associated bacteria. Plant-microbe interactions are of recognized importance for ecosystem health and productivity. This project builds upon ongoing plant genome resequencing efforts to study genomically characterized population of Populus trichocarpa genotypes arrayed in established common gardens in Oregon and California. The project will take advantage of two well-studied common gardens that contain over 1,100 genotyped individuals of Populus trichocarpa in Oregon.
PI: Schadt, Christopher