2881:
Root Traits in Hybrid Aspen with Transgenically Altered Gibberellic Acid Metabolism

Monday, July 27, 2009: 9:10 AM
Jefferson C (Millennium Hotel St. Louis)
Kevin Kosola , Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Angela Allred , Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Beth Ann Workmaster , Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
David Coyle , Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Ani A. Elias , Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Cathleen Ma , Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Elizabeth Etherington , Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Mark Davis , National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO
Jeff Morrell , Department of Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Camille Freitag , Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Victor Busov , Department of Forestry, Michigan Technological University
Steven H Strauss , Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
The effects of transgenic overexpression of GA-inhibition genes (gai, rgl2, GA2- oxidase) on root traits in hybrid aspen will be discussed. We expected that semi-dwarf trees could increase soil carbon sequestration; transgenic semi-dwarf trees typically had increased carbon allocation to roots, demonstrated by an increased root weight ratio. Although variation in root composition was observed among the transgenic events, there were no biologically significant effects on root susceptibility to fungal decomposition.