Colleges & Faculties

Research Interests:

1.Theoretical Foundation of Ornamental Trait Formation;

2.Systematic Development of Molecular Breeding Strategies;

3.Creation and Application Demonstration of New Varieties.

Team Profile:

1.Team characteristics and strengths: Focusing on the challenges of multi-trait joint selection in forestry, the team has developed SNP breeding chips suitable for multi-trait selection in poplars, roses and other species, and established gene marker-assisted seedling selection technology. It has constructed a forest-tree gene marker-assisted breeding system of "multi-step screening - hybrid aggregation". Additionally, the team has systematically analyzed the genetic regulatory network and key molecular regulatory mechanism of stress resistance and ornamental traits in poplars and roses, and developed key gene modules for controlling the variation of important traits.

2.Main research areas: Collection and evaluation of germplasm resources for landscape plants such as poplars, roses and peonies; exploration of the genetic basis and key genes involved in the formation of important traits in landscape plants; analysis of the molecular mechanisms for stress resistance and ornamental traits in landscape plants; establishment of molecular breeding technology systems for landscape plants and cultivation of new varieties.

3.International exchange and collaboration experience: The team has maintained close research collaborations and academic exchanges with renowned international experts in the fields of molecular genetics, genomics and statistical genetics of woody plants, including Professor Harry X. Wu and Professor Pär K Ingvarsson from Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Professor David Neale from University of California, Professor Chung-Jui Tsai from University of Georgia, Professor Ronald R. Sederoff and Professor Zhao-Bang Zeng from North Carolina State University. The applicant serves as the Vice Chairman of the "Poplar and Willow Working Committee" under Division 2 of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO), and has established long-term collaborations and exchanges with institutions such as the Umeå Plant Science Centre in Sweden, CSIRO in Australia, and the Pennsylvania State University in the United States.

4.High-level paper achievements

Liang Xiao, Yuanyuan Fang, He Zhang, Mingyang Quan, Jiaxuan Zhou, Peng Li, Dan Wang, Li Ji, Pär K. Ingvarsson, Harry X. Wu, Yousry A. El-Kassaby, Qingzhang Du, andDeqiang Zhang*（张德强）. Natural variation in the prolyl 4-hydroxylase genePtoP4H9contributes to perennial stem growth inPopulus.The Plant Cell,2023, 35(11): 4046–4665.

Brief introduction of achievements: The research introduced a temporal dimension as a phenotype to identify the important functional genePtoP4H9that regulates the perennial dynamic growth of poplar diameter at breast height. It revealed the molecular biological mechanism in which this gene promotes longitudinal trunk growth by regulating the chemical modification of the cell wall. The research results not only fill a significant gap in the understanding of the genetic regulatory mechanism of perennial dynamic growth in trees, which has been unclear both domestically and internationally, but also provide crucial theoretical guidance and technical support for addressing critical issues in timber yield and quality genetic improvement, as well as precision breeding. These findings have significant scientific and social value.

Team Members:

1.Zhang Deqiang, e-mail: DeqiangZhang@bjfu.edu.cn

2.HouFangmei, e-mail: 1665909024@qq.com

3.HeXiangfeng, e-mail: hxf791230@163.com

4.WuJing, e-mail: wjmxy1988@126.com

5.Zhao Yiyang, e-mail: Yvonne0929@126.com

6.Wang Wenbo, e-mail: wangwenbo94@163.com

7.Xu Shenjian, e-mail: 20239201@bua.edu.cn

8.Chen Panfei, e-mail: chenpanfei01@163.com

9.Wu Jie, e-mail: wjwj1106@163.com

10.Fang Yuanyuan, e-mail: fangyuanyuan1122@163.com