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Applying Molecular and Genetic Methods to Trees and Their Fungal Communities

Summary

This research examines how modern genetic and molecular methods are being used to study trees and their associated fungi in forest ecosystems. The findings have important implications for forest health and management in a changing climate. Impacts on everyday life: • Better understanding of tree diseases helps protect urban and forest trees that provide shade, clean air, and recreation • Improved tree breeding techniques lead to more resilient forests that better withstand climate change • Enhanced knowledge of beneficial fungi helps promote healthier trees and forests • More effective forest management practices support sustainable timber production • Better conservation strategies help preserve forests for future generations

Background

Forests cover approximately 31% of global land area and provide invaluable economic, ecological, and social services. Trees face multiple threats including fragmentation, climate change, and destructive pests/pathogens. Trees cannot be viewed in isolation as they have complex associations with various microorganisms, particularly fungi which may have the greatest impact on tree life. Understanding these relationships requires advanced molecular and genetic methods.

Objective

To summarize and review the application of different molecular and genetic methods to forest tree species and their associated fungal communities. The review covers how these techniques provide insights into molecular basis of adaptive traits, impacts of forest management, changing environmental conditions on trees and fungal communities, and enhancement of tree breeding cycles.

Results

The review found that decreasing sequencing costs and availability of reference genomes now enable whole genome re-sequencing for several tree species. Where not possible, genome complexity reduction methods provide alternatives for obtaining genome-wide markers. Molecular techniques like genomic selection can substantially reduce tree breeding cycles. For fungi, genome comparisons revealed presence/absence of specific genes and gene family expansions characteristic of different ecological fungal guilds. Meta-omics approaches provided insights into community composition and functions.

Conclusion

Various genetic and genomic methods can now be effectively applied to study forest trees and their fungal communities. While individual fungal studies remain important, defining whole tree-related communities and their collective ecological functions is crucial. Community composition is influenced by forest management and environmental conditions, so understanding balanced fungal communities should inform forest management practices. The complex social and ecological relationships between trees and fungi cannot be neglected.
  • Published in:Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.1007/s00253-023-12480-w
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