New tree genotype to boost hardwood production
TREE genetics look like they have made a giant leap forward to produce faster growing trees, with the news that the world’s largest hardwood pulp producer is to make available the highest quality eucalyptus genome sequence ever released to the public.
FuturaGene, the biotech division of Suzano – in collaboration with Corteva Agriscience – is supporting open-source science as the genome will be freely accessible to both public and private scientists, allowing further research into the world’s most economically important crops.
Fast-growing commercial planted eucalyptus are among the most important global sources of wood, pulp and other fibre-based products, and used as raw materials to replace fossil fuel-derived products.
The enhanced genome sequence data will now be made freely available to academia, the private sector and the wider scientific community to facilitate research to advance understanding and innovation in eucalyptus cultivation.
Dr Mike May, of FuturaGen, said: “Building on our heritage of over two decades of tree genetics research, we hope that by publicly releasing this enhanced genome sequence we will help strengthen the global research community on eucalyptus. The release to the public is in line with our intent to share the value of our research and encourage sustainable innovation.”
For Corteva, Glenn Brooke, said: “This improved sequence will be an essential tool for expanding efforts in molecular breeding of eucalyptus. As we face increasing demand for wood and wood-based products, this dataset will benefit the scientific community’s understanding of eucalyptus, which is one of the most sustainable renewable wood crops.