Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 57-68 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 63 6.2 Interactions between different stress resistance genes The interactions between different stress resistance genes play a crucial role in determining the overall stress tolerance of trees. For instance, the study on GhRaf19, a Raf-like MAPKKK gene in cotton (Jia et al., 2016), revealed its dual role in modulating tolerance to drought, salt, and cold stresses. GhRaf1 negatively regulates drought and salt tolerance by reducing ROS accumulation, while positively regulating cold stress resistance by enhancing ROS-related antioxidant gene expression. Additionally, the meta-analysis of cold stress tolerance genes acROSs various crops identified conserved pathways involving protein modifications, hormone metabolism, and secondary metabolism, which are crucial for cold tolerance (Yousefi et al., 2022). These findings highlight the intricate genetic networks that govern multi-stress resistance in trees. 6.3 Implications of multi-trait genetic studies for forestry practices The insights gained from multi-trait genetic studies have significant implications for forestry practices. Understanding the genetic basis of stress resistance can inform the selection and breeding of tree species for afforestation programs (Verslues et al., 2006). For example, the evaluation of drought resistance in eleven tree species identified Korean pine as highly resistant, while species like sawtooth oak and hinoki cypress were highly susceptible (Bhusal et al., 2021). This knowledge can guide the selection of species for planting in areas prone to drought. Furthermore, the identification of stress-inducible promoters and the use of biotechnological approaches to overexpress stress-responsive genes can enhance the resilience of forest trees to environmental stresses (Polle et al., 2019). Integrating these genetic insights into forestry practices can contribute to the establishment of sustainable and resilient forest ecosystems. 7 Technological Advances in Genetic Research 7.1 Role of next-generation sequencing in stress resistance studies Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized the field of genetic research, providing unprecedented insights into the genetic basis of stress resistance in trees. NGS technologies enable the comprehensive analysis of genomes, transcriptomes, and epigenomes, facilitating the identification of key genes and regulatory networks involved in stress responses. For instance, whole-genome resequencing of rice cultivars with contrasting responses to drought and salinity stress has identified numerous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions/deletions (InDels) that are associated with stress tolerance traits (Jain et al., 2014). Similarly, transcriptome-wide analyses using RNA-Seq have revealed differentially expressed genes and pathways that contribute to drought and salinity tolerance in various fruit tree species (Benny et al., 2020). These studies underscore the critical role of NGS in uncovering the genetic underpinnings of stress resistance, thereby aiding in the development of stress-tolerant tree cultivars. 7.2 Contributions of bioinformatics and systems biology to understanding complex traits Bioinformatics and systems biology approaches are indispensable for deciphering the complex genetic networks underlying stress resistance in trees. By integrating large-scale omics data, these approaches enable the identification of key regulatory genes and pathways involved in stress responses. For example, a meta-analysis of transcriptome data in cotton has identified hub genes and regulatory networks associated with drought and salt stress tolerance, providing potential targets for genetic improvement (Bano et al., 2022). Similarly, bioinformatics pipelines have been used to map stress-responsive genes in fruit trees, revealing conserved molecular responses to drought and salinity. Systems biology approaches, such as gene co-expression analysis, have also been employed to identify stress-responsive gene families in potato, highlighting their roles in drought and heat tolerance (Chen et al., 2019). These contributions demonstrate the power of bioinformatics and systems biology in advancing our understanding of complex stress resistance traits in trees.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzMg==