Scientists Decode the Genome of White Oak

Researchers from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Indiana University, the University of Kentucky, the U.S. Forest Service, and several other institutions have, for the first time, described the complex genome of the white oak (Quercus alba). This tree is a keystone species and one of the most abundant trees in eastern North America.

The study, published in New Phytologist, examines the genetic diversity and population differentiation of Q. alba. It explores how gene content and disease resistance genes have evolved throughout the history of Quercus and its related species. The authors also discuss the evolutionary relationships among oak species, supported by whole genome data.

Additionally, the study highlights the significant genetic variation within white oak populations and their local adaptations, which will impact how Q. alba and other white oak species respond to increasing heat and drought stress in the future.

For more details, read the news release from The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.