Genetic Variation and Genomic Associations of Leaf Physiological Traits in an Association Population of Populus trichocarpa

As part of a USDA funded project to examine the relationship of structural polymorphisms to interspecific heterosis, we characterized the extent of genetic variation of a number of leaf physiological traits in an association population planted in Corvallis, Oregon.  The population contains vegetative propagules from 1,035 genotypes collected in the Pacific Northwest that are planted in randomized blocks. The population and associated genome sequence data has been shown to be effective for identifying the genomic locations of genes affecting a diversity of adaptive and productivity traits.  The traits we studied include light and dark-adapted fluorescence, chlorophyll content, leaf size and specific mass, and a number of measures of biomass productivity.  We will report on the heritability, genetic correlations, and genomic associations of these traits.

We thanks the USDA, through the USDA/DOE Plant Feedstock Genomics for Energy Grant Program, Award #2013-67009-21008, for funding.