Scientists successfully decipher the secret of eucalyptus trees

An international team of scientists announced on June 11 that it has successfully decoded the genome of the eucalyptus tree , thus understanding the rapid growth and adaptation of this plant, opening up the prospect of active development. future hardwood plantation.

In a study published in Nature, a group of scientists from the University of Pretoria's Genetic Research Department, South Africa has sequenced the genetic code of one of the most widely cultivated plants: Eucalyptus grandis.

Results showed that eucalyptus grandis genome contains more than 36,000 genes, equivalent to " a genome of a medium-sized plant".

Eucalyptus - an important source of raw materials for the production of paper and biofuel.(Source: Science Daily)

Eucalyptus grandis also contains the largest number of serial duplicates - two identical sequences, in which one sequence follows the other in a segment of chromosomes, more than any plant genome is sequenced in the sequence above. .

Scientist Alexander Myburg, co-author of the study, said the research team is particularly interested in the ability of wood production to have very high cellulose content of eucalyptus trees, making this plant extremely valuable in powdered products. paper and paper production.

The team was able to identify most genes involved in the metabolism of cellulose in the grandis eucalyptus as well as other major components of eucalyptus grandis, the lignin.

Mr. Myburg said the finding could be valuable in finding ways to increase the amount of cellulose produced by plants, as well as how to extract it more easily.

Cellulose is basically a long chain of glucose molecules, which can be broken down into sugars and fermented into biofuel. Many experts believe that the study will enhance the prospect of multiplication of eucalyptus trees quickly in order to yield good quality wood.

The eucalyptus tree is known as Australia's local tree, an important source of paper, wood, eucalyptus oil and a major source of biofuel. Now eucalyptus has become the most planted hardwood, in more than 100 countries worldwide.