Genomics solution for tree resilience to environmental stresses

Funding period: 2022–2024
Lead: Nicolas Feau
Total GRDI funding: $59,100

The goal of this project is to evaluate the trade-off between the cost of adaptation of trees to drought and the cost of defence against pathogens. Such knowledge is critical for reducing the risk of mismatches between trees and these stresses in the context of climate change.

The project objectives are to decipher and control the mechanisms of infection of Douglas fir trees by the pathogen responsible for Swiss needle cast disease, measure the performance of Douglas fir genetic families when submitted to drought and to pathogen infection, and identify the molecular mechanisms (by transcriptomics) that shape increased resilience to both stresses. Outcomes will be used by our partners to identify and generate climate- and pest-resilient genetic material. These results will benefit the forest industry, which relies on improved seed sources for planting, and will have an impact on the economy and on forest conservation and environmental protection.