The Pine Reference Genome Sequence and Applied Tree Breeding

Application of molecular markers in crop breeding programs has been based on reference genome sequences for several years, but tree breeding programs have only begun to take advantage of this technology. During the past five years, SNP genotyping has been implemented for several conifer species, and the emerging pine reference genome sequence is now extending the range of problems to which markers can be applied. The NC State Tree Improvement Program, the Christmas Tree Genetics Program, and their cooperating organizations are implementing markers for population management, estimation of kinship, and modeling breeding values for traits of economic and ecological value. Ongoing research projects in the areas of climate change, bioenergy, and specialty crop development are using the draft pine reference genome assembly to organize and analyze data from re-sequencing experiments using both genomic DNA and mRNA templates.