Genetic Control of Growth, Biomass Allocation, and Survival under Drought Stress

Dear Colleagues,

Reduced rainfall and increased temperature are predicted to raise drought stress in many forest regions of the world. Because of the land shortage in high-rainfall areas, it is important to study genetic variation in survival and early growth on drought-prone sites. There is an increasing need to identify and develop production systems suitable for these sites. Targeted breeding and deployment of germplasm with better adaptations to drought-prone sites are an alternative to species replacement.

There is a large body of literature about physiological and morphological traits affecting the response of forest trees to drought stress. However, there are relatively few studies concerning the genetic control of these traits. Significant differences have been found among geographic origins for traits related to water stress in nursery and field trials. However, more knowledge is needed at the genetic level, including estimates of the genetic variances, genetic correlations, and heritabilities of adaptive traits.

The adaptive responses of trees include both genetic adaptations and phenotypic plasticity. Plastic responses will be highly important for adaptation in forest trees, as drought stress is projected to increase. The physiological mechanisms that are controlling plant performance under drought stress need to be better understood. We encourage studies from all related fields, in native and introduced species, including both original experimental studies and reviews to contribute to this Special Issue.

Dr. Miloš Ivković
Dr. Sergio Espinoza M.
Guest Editors

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