Population genetics of freeze tolerance among natural populations of Populus balsamifera across the growing season

• DOI: 10.1111/nph.13381
• Publication Date: 2015-03-24T23:07:14Z
• Authors: Mitra Menon; William J. Barnes; Matthew S. Olson
• Keywords: Growing season

Protection against freeze damage during the growing season influences northern range limits of plants. Freeze tolerance and avoidance are two major resistance strategies. Winter survival strategies have been extensively studied in perennials, but few addressed them their genetic basis season. We examined intraspecific phenotypic variation Populus balsamifera across latitude To investigate molecular this variation, we surveyed nucleotide diversity patterns gene expression poplar C-repeat binding factor (CBF) family. Foliar exhibited latitudinal seasonal indicative natural genotypic variation. CBF6 showed signatures recent selective sweep. Of 46 SNPs six CBF homologs, only CBF2_619 differences consistent with increased north. All genes were cold inducible, varying Some Poplar homologs historical selection clinal documented here. However, accounted for a small amount indicating that other pathways likely play significant roles nature.