University of Georgia Creates Less Recalcitrant Populus deltoids Trees

Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered that manipulation of a gene in trees increases its growth and makes its wood easier to digest for biofuel production. They decreased the expression of the GAUT12.1 gene in Populus deltoids, a promising biofuel feedstock known to produce large amounts of biomass in a short time.

The genetically modified Populus deltoids were found to not only be less recalcitrant but also exhibited increased plant height and stem diameter compared to wild types. Further analysis revealed that the reduced GAUT12.1 expression resulted in reduced amounts of xylan and pectin, the major components of cell walls.

"This research gives us important clues about the genes that control plant structures and how we can manipulate them to our advantage," said study co-author Debra Mohnen from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.