Genetic Diversity, Seed Quality, and Tree Adaptation Under Environmental Stresses

A Special Issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907) belonging to the section "Genetics and Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 21 October 2026 | Viewed by 701

Editors


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Guest Editor
Division of Genetics, Forest Tree Breeding and Seed Science, Croatian Forest Research Institute, HR-10450 Jastrebarsko, Croatia
Interests: population genetics; forest tree conservation; genetic diversity; molecular markers; ecological processes
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Guest Editor
Department of Forest Protection, Forest Research Institute of Baden-Württemberg, Wonnhaldesttr. 4, 79100 Freiburg, Germany
Interests: molecular markers; plant genetics; DNA sequence analysis; conservation genetics; molecular biology; genetics; molecular evolution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forests are entering an era of unprecedented environmental pressure driven by climate change, habitat fragmentation, and increasing biotic and abiotic stresses. In this context of rapid global change, advancing our understanding of genetic diversity, seed quality, and tree adaptation is not only a scientific priority but also a societal necessity. Genetic resources form the foundation of resilient forest ecosystems, while seed quality and adaptive capacity are key determinants of successful regeneration, restoration, and sustainable forest management.

This Special Issue of Forests on “Genetic Diversity, Seed Quality, and Tree Adaptation Under Environmental Stresses” aims to showcase innovative, high-impact research that advances knowledge of forest genetics and adaptation. We welcome interdisciplinary contributions that integrate molecular genetics, genomics, seed biology, ecophysiology, and ecology to clarify the mechanisms underlying tree responses and adaptive processes under environmental stress.

By bringing together diverse conceptual and methodological approaches, this Special Issue seeks to foster knowledge exchange, stimulate collaboration, and promote research that strengthens forest resilience. We invite the submission of original research articles and comprehensive reviews that contribute to the development of climate-resilient and genetically robust forest systems.

Dr. Nevenka Ćelepirović
Dr. Aikaterini Dounavi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • genetic diversity
  • seed quality
  • tree adaptation
  • environmental stress
  • climate change
  • forest resilience
  • genomics
  • conservation genetics
  • forest restoration
  • sustainable forest management

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

14 pages, 1658 KB  
Article
Selection of Stable and High-Yielding Poplar Clones Using BLUP–GGE Across Multiple Environments
by Xiaoyan Zhang, Ruonan Zhuang, Zhidong Zhuang, Weiguo Zhong, Chenggong Liu, Mingsheng Sun, Yinyin Fu, Yanhui Qiao, Shuangyun Li, Shanwen Li, Jinmao Wang and Minsheng Yang
Forests 2026, 17(7), 850; https://doi.org/10.3390/f17070850 - 17 Jul 2026
Viewed by 367
Abstract
Understanding genotype × environment interactions (G × E) is essential for selection of stable and productive clones in poplar breeding. However, the performance of hybrid poplar clones often varies unpredictably across sites, hindering efficient regional deployment. In this study, we evaluated the growth [...] Read more.
Understanding genotype × environment interactions (G × E) is essential for selection of stable and productive clones in poplar breeding. However, the performance of hybrid poplar clones often varies unpredictably across sites, hindering efficient regional deployment. In this study, we evaluated the growth performance of 21 hybrid Populus section Aigeiros clones under five contrasting environmental conditions (YI, SHAN, SHEN, FEI, and JUAN). At the end of the growing season, we measured tree height (H), diameter at breast height (DBH), and individual tree volume (V). Both parametric and non-parametric stability statistics were used to assess individual V and fitted a mixed linear model in ASReml–R to generate best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) values for subsequent genotype plus genotype-by-environment (GGE) biplot analysis. All measured traits exhibited substantial phenotypic variation, with coefficients of variation ranging from 17% to 43%. Genotype, environment, and G × E interaction effects were all highly significant (p < 0.01). The GGE biplot explained 89.88% of the total variation in individual V across test environments. Clones 1617 and 1618 exhibited high productivity, broad stability and strong adaptability across sites. Site discrimination and representativeness analyses revealed that SHAN, SHEN, FEI and JUAN were more informative, whereas YI showed weaker genotype differentiation. Clones 1617 and 1618 were particularly well adapted to FEI and JUAN, while clones 81, 1618, 13–22, 1607, I–107 and 1617 performed favourably in the other mega-environment. Our results indicate that integrating BLUP with GGE biplot analysis provides a robust framework for dissecting G × E and guiding clone selection in multi-environment poplar trials. The study provides valuable insights for refining poplar deployment strategies under diverse environmental conditions. Full article
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