Forestry Genomics: improving the
performance of Eucalyptus globulus

Presently, several countries are developing genomic projects to improve the performance of lumber plantations. Today in Chile, forestry genomics is just beginning on this path. Even though there are successful genetic improvement programs in Chile that, through traditional crosses based on phenotypic observations, have increased biomass production. Indeed, genomics is more complex than a simple observation, given that it involves aspects like gene identification and sequencing, knowing when and why these are activated, and how they function when interacting with other genes,
among other aspects.

University researchers and lumber companies are working together to select Eucalyptus globulus clones (the most appreciated species after pinus radiata for its fiber quality) and to develop biotechnological tools that can predict lowtemperature resistance. This project, with researchers from the Faculties of Forestry Science and Natural and Oceanographic Sciences, has obtained funding from the Agricultural Innovation Fund (FIA) and Innova Bío Bío for the development of Biotechnology Projects in the Bio Bio region.

The researchers will investigate three lines of research: the first, already mentioned, consists in developing predictive tools related with resistance to cold in Eucalyptus globules clones, studying genomic aspects of the samples such as proteins and the implicated metabolic pathways, and to identify finally those genes that will improve this species for their later application to improve Eucalyptus globulus plantations in Chile, and especially in colder
areas.

A second line of research is a Fondef project that will study the characteristics of lignin (an undesirable compound produced in the pulping process) using the infrared spectroscopy technique. Additionally, this technique permits the prediction of treepulping performance and fiber quality.

The development of this tool will save on work because it permits the selection of the best eucalyptus clones whose genetic characteristics can then be studied. Indeed, this will produce a significant quantitative and qualitative jump: once the genetic sequences are obtained, crossings can be planned with greater certainty and, in a near future, pulping performance in the plantations could increase up to 2%.

Reducing the consumption of the involved chemical reactants in lignin produces both economic and environmental benefits (since the extraction process produces this contamination). In this sense, there are two beneficial alternatives: either land becomes available for more plantations or the actual use of plantations is optimized.

The third line of action includes resistance to the pathogens through the chemical, enzyme and molecular analysis of their genetic properties since there is a wide spectrum of pathogenic agents that affect Eucalyptus globulus plantations in Chile.