Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in Forest Trees

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2025) | Viewed by 4584

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forests are the predominant terrestrial component on earth, providing abundant materials and energy for human beings. It is a crucial task of forestry work to breed improved varieties of trees with fast growth and stress resistance. However, the field of forestry biology has faced challenges due to the complex genomes, lengthy life cycles, and obstacles in regeneration and genetic transformation. The emergence of novel biotechnologies, such as high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNA seq), presents opportunities for advancing research in forestry. The urgent task at hand is to effectively integrate these technologies into plant systems and establish efficient and stable methods for enhancing woody plants, thereby addressing current limitations in forestry research. This special issue entitled “Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in Forest Trees” will cover a variety of biotechnology and molecular research including plant tissue culture, cell engineering, genetic transformation and molecular genetic tools to deepen our understanding of biological processes such as tree growth and development, adaptation to abiotic and biotic stress, and coordination and trade-offs among various traits.

Prof. Dr. Chenghao Li
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • biotechnology

  • forest trees
  • genetic engineering
  • abiotic and biotic stress
  • molecular mechanism
  • multi-omics analysis

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2587 KB  
Article
PsnMYB30 Enhances Salt and Drought Stress Tolerance in Transgenic Tobacco
by Yuting Wang, Msangi Shamsia Ally, Ruiqi Wang, Wenjing Yao, Tingbo Jiang and Huanzhen Liu
Plants 2025, 14(17), 2681; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172681 - 27 Aug 2025
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Abstract
Drought and salinity are two major environmental factors that severely limit plant growth and development. MYB functions as a transcription factor that is crucial in how plants respond to stress from adverse conditions. In this study, we identified a gene encoding Populus simonii [...] Read more.
Drought and salinity are two major environmental factors that severely limit plant growth and development. MYB functions as a transcription factor that is crucial in how plants respond to stress from adverse conditions. In this study, we identified a gene encoding Populus simonii × P. nigra MYB (v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog) transcription factor, whose transcription level was significantly induced under salt stress and osmotic stress. Subcellular localisation results showed PsnMYB30 was located in the nucleus. Yeast one-hybrid assay indicated the gene exhibited transcriptional activation activity and it can precisely bind to the G-box elements. Under normal growth conditions, there were no significant differences in physiological and biochemical indicators between wild-type and transgenic tobacco. However, under salt and drought stress, transgenic tobacco overexpressing PsnMYB30 exhibited superior root length and fresh weight compared to the wild-type (WT), with higher levels of SOD, POD, proline, and chlorophyll content, and significantly lower MDA and H2O2 content than the WT. These findings indicate that PsnMYB30 significantly enhances the salt tolerance and drought resistance of transgenic tobacco. These results indicate that PsnMYB30 is a key target gene for studying salt-tolerant and drought-resistant plants in genetic breeding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in Forest Trees)
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Review

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27 pages, 2386 KB  
Review
Detection Methods for Pine Wilt Disease: A Comprehensive Review
by Sana Tahir, Syed Shaheer Hassan, Lu Yang, Miaomiao Ma and Chenghao Li
Plants 2024, 13(20), 2876; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13202876 - 14 Oct 2024
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3728
Abstract
Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a highly destructive forest disease that necessitates rapid and precise identification for effective management and control. This study evaluates various detection methods for PWD, including morphological diagnosis, molecular techniques, and remote [...] Read more.
Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by the nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is a highly destructive forest disease that necessitates rapid and precise identification for effective management and control. This study evaluates various detection methods for PWD, including morphological diagnosis, molecular techniques, and remote sensing. While traditional methods are economical, they are limited by their inability to detect subtle or early changes and require considerable time and expertise. To overcome these challenges, this study emphasizes advanced molecular approaches such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) coupled with CRISPR/Cas12a, which offer fast and accurate pathogen detection. Additionally, DNA barcoding and microarrays facilitate species identification, and proteomics can provide insights into infection-specific protein signatures. The study also highlights remote sensing technologies, including satellite imagery and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based hyperspectral analysis, for their capability to monitor PWD by detecting asymptomatic diseases through changes in the spectral signatures of trees. Future research should focus on combining traditional and innovative techniques, refining visual inspection processes, developing rapid and portable diagnostic tools for field application, and exploring the potential of volatile organic compound analysis and machine learning algorithms for early disease detection. Integrating diverse methods and adopting innovative technologies are crucial to effectively control this lethal forest disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in Forest Trees)
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