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Forest Tree Genetics, Breeding and Environmental Adaption

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 April 2026 | Viewed by 1005

Special Issue Editors

State Key Laboratory of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Interests: tree growth rhythm; adventitious root formation; trees breeding; genetic improvement; molecular breeding

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forest tree species are increasingly threatened by the impacts of climate change, including drought, extreme high and low temperatures, heavy metal contamination, soil salinity, and the spread of pests and diseases. To address these challenges, the development of new tools and methods is essential for overcoming the limitations of traditional breeding, particularly those associated with long generation times, and to identify new sources of resistance. Recent advancements in genomics, marker-assisted selection, genomic prediction, and genome editing provide powerful tools to effectively harness the genetic diversity of trees. These technologies enable molecular breeding, facilitating precise early selection, enhancing efficiency, and reducing the time and costs involved in forest tree breeding. Consequently, these improvements will enhance our ability to respond to or mitigate the emergence of new abiotic and biotic environmental stressors.

This Special Issue will focus on the genetic breeding of forest trees and their adaptation to rapidly changing environments. It will explore the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying stress resistance traits in trees, aiming to identify innovative breeding strategies that enhance their resilience to environmental stressors. Original research articles and reviews in this area are also welcome.

Dr. Jingli Yang
Dr. Huiyu Li
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • forest trees
  • genetic breeding
  • biotic stress
  • abiotic stress
  • tree physiology
  • gene regulation
  • genetic engineering

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 4792 KB  
Article
Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals the Regulation of Amino Acid Biosynthesis in Cyclocarya paliurus Leaves Under Salt Stress
by Lei Zhang, Kun Hong, Zijie Zhang, Xulan Shang and Shengzuo Fang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(21), 10444; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110444 - 27 Oct 2025
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Abstract
Amino acids are essential for plant growth and stress adaptation, and they exhibit distinct patterns under salt stress. However, the biosynthesis and accumulation of amino acids in C. paliurus under salt stress have not been fully studied. This research integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics [...] Read more.
Amino acids are essential for plant growth and stress adaptation, and they exhibit distinct patterns under salt stress. However, the biosynthesis and accumulation of amino acids in C. paliurus under salt stress have not been fully studied. This research integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics data from C. paliurus leaves sampled at four salt concentrations and two sampling times to reveal the mechanisms underlying amino acid metabolism in response to salt stress. Principal component analysis revealed an environmental dependence in the amino acid accumulation patterns, with significant differences in amino acid content observed between samples treated with different salt concentrations and at different time points. Weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) identified key modules related to amino acid metabolism, with threonine synthase being upregulated under salt stress. Additionally, amino acids, such as proline, which function as osmolytes are increasing. The overexpression of structural genes in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway and genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia lyase was closely associated with amino acid accumulation, a process regulated by multiple transcription factors. These findings elucidate amino acid-mediated molecular responses to salinity and offer practical guidance for establishing C. paliurus plantations in southeastern coastal beach-lands of China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Tree Genetics, Breeding and Environmental Adaption)
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Review

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30 pages, 2978 KB  
Review
Advances in Genetic Engineering Techniques for Improved Forest Trees: Applications in Biomass, Stress Resilience and Carbon Sequestration
by Sophia Hydarry Matola, Jingjing Li, Meiou Sun, Lu Yang, Wenhui Zhuang and Jingli Yang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(20), 10192; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262010192 - 20 Oct 2025
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Abstract
Forest biotechnology is rapidly advancing from conventional breeding toward molecular design, enabling the development of genetically modified trees (GMTs) with traits such as accelerated growth, stress resilience, and improved wood properties. This review systematically examines recent breakthroughs in tree genetic engineering, beginning with [...] Read more.
Forest biotechnology is rapidly advancing from conventional breeding toward molecular design, enabling the development of genetically modified trees (GMTs) with traits such as accelerated growth, stress resilience, and improved wood properties. This review systematically examines recent breakthroughs in tree genetic engineering, beginning with traditional methods and progressing to CRISPR-based precision editing and multi-omics-guided trait design. We highlight applications in wood quality (e.g., lignin reduction in Populus spp.), drought tolerance (e.g., PagHyPRP1 and PtoMYB142 editing), phytoremediation (e.g., heavy metal accumulation in poplar), and carbon sequestration. We also evaluate ecological and socio-regulatory challenges, including gene flow risks and public acceptance. Based on this integrated analysis, we outline future directions for responsible deployment of GMTs in sustainable forestry and global carbon neutrality efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forest Tree Genetics, Breeding and Environmental Adaption)
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