Beyond photosynthesis: overturning source-centric plant growth paradigms

Wood, a remarkable material with unique properties, accounts for more than 60% of all living biomass and is responsible for sequestering around 18% of fossil fuel carbon emissions annually, reducing the growth rate of atmospheric CO2. While many investigations have quantified patterns and relationships in the factors controlling wood formation, the underlying physiological processes remain poorly understood.

The project seeks to illuminate the largely unknown mechanisms governing wood formation, as well as the resulting wood anatomy and carbon content. By experimenting with a clonal tree model, hybrid poplar, the study will measure the impact of various manipulations on a broad spectrum of anatomical, biochemical, and genomic traits. This comprehensive analysis aims to significantly enhance the understanding of terrestrial carbon cycling by developing mechanistic models of wood formation and overall tree growth.