Association Genetics of Natural Genetic Variation and Complex Traits in Pine

长期目标是对复杂性状进行遗传解剖，并了解森林树木中自然发生的遗传和表型变异之间的关系。在本项目中，我们将鉴定赤松自然发生的遗传和表型变异之间的关系。火炬松是一种裸子植物，在系统发育上有很好的定位，有助于理解陆地植物的适应性特征进化。具体目标是：(1)识别5000个基因中的所有常见变异，创建首个火炬松基因组序列社区资源；(2)将1000个位点的遗传变异与具有经济重要性的性状联系起来。这些特征将包括木材的化学和解剖特性以及抗病能力。所有DNA序列数据将立即提交到公共访问数据库，GenBank和TreeGenes （dendrome.ucdavis.edu）。基因型和表型数据将立即存入TreeGenes。通过整合全美国的火炬松基因组学和生物信息学成果，并使其通过公共数据库可用，社区整合的总体目标将得以实现。鉴定控制自然发生的表型变异的特定基因将提供1)更好地了解植物的性状遗传，2)为树木育种者提供间接选择工具，以及3)一套潜在有用的遗传修饰遗传试剂。通过积极地寻找控制火炬松特定木材特性和疾病相关性状的大多数主要基因，有望在理解复杂性状的遗传学和间接选择的潜在经济影响方面取得重大突破。基于控制经济性状的基因的期望变异的标记辅助选择可以在育种群体和自然群体的家系中使用。这样的工具将通过大幅降低测试成本和育种周期，对应用树木改良项目产生直接和有益的影响。最终，这些信息将有助于指导基因保护工作，提高我们应对气候变化、栖息地变化和害虫种群进化带来的日益严峻的挑战的能力。

The long term goal is to genetically dissect complex traits and understand the relationship between naturally occurring genetic and phenotypic variation in forest trees. In this project the relationships between naturally occurring genetic and phenotypic variation in Pinus taeda L. will be identified. Loblolly pine, a gymnosperm, is well-positioned phylogenetically to help in understanding the evolution of adaptive traits in land plants. Specific objectives are to (1) identify all common variants in 5000 genes, creating a first-of-its-kind community resource of genomic sequence for loblolly pine, and (2) associate genetic variation at 1000 loci with traits of economic importance. The traits will include chemical and anatomical wood properties and resistance to disease. All DNA sequence data will be submitted immediately to public access databases, GenBank and TreeGenes (dendrome.ucdavis.edu). Genotypic and phenotypic data will be immediately deposited into TreeGenes. The overarching goal of community coalescence will be accomplished by integrating loblolly pine genomics and bioinformatics efforts across the United States and making them available through the public databases. Identification of specific genes controlling naturally occurring phenotypic variation will provide 1) a greater understanding of trait inheritance in plants, 2) an indirect selection tool for tree breeders, and 3) a set of potentially useful genetic reagents for genetic modification. By aggressively seeking to identify most of the major genes controlling specific wood property and disease related traits in loblolly pine, a significant breakthrough is anticipated in the understanding of the genetics of complex traits and the potential economic impact of indirect selection. Marker-aided-selection based on desired variants in genes controlling economic traits can be used across pedigrees within both breeding and natural populations. Such a tool would have immediate and beneficial ramifications for applied tree improvement programs by dramatically reducing testing costs and breeding cycle times. Ultimately, such information could be useful in guiding gene conservation efforts and enhancing our ability to cope with the growing challenges of climate change, shifting habitats and evolving pest populations.