For the first time decoding the woody gene

Illustration of American black poplar tree. (Photo: Science) American black poplar has become the third plant, after rice and a grass called Arabidopsis thaliana, to be secreted about the genetic structure. This success can help create plants for better wood, paper and fuel.

American black poplar is a fast-growing species, still considered a wild species, although it has long been cultivated by humans for wood and pulp. Scientists hope that its genetic decoding will help to diversify the plant species, into strains that are more resistant to pests, need less irrigation water and nutrients, and can grow just like the others. Other food crops.

Currently, scientists have found 93 genes involved in the production of cellulose and lignin, substances that make up the firm cell walls of plants. The black poplar in the study was planted along the Nisqually River, Washington State, USA.

Details of the study will be published in Science this week.

T. An