Eucalyptus grandis xylem adaptations to water defecit
The aim of the research was to identify the genetic candidates responsible for regulating the xylem anatomy during water deficit, and how this leads to hydraulically safer wood in Eucalyptus grandis. Linking the transcriptomic response to the anatomical and physiological traits is essential to gain a fundamental understanding of the tree adaptive response to water deficit. Climatic scenarios forecast increasingly drier and warmer conditions to come, therefore identifying favourable traits (i.e. genetic and anatomical) for subsequent selection and breeding can ensure tree vigor in the future. Additionally, linking the environmental conditions to genetics and anatomy will also aid in predicting the wood physiochemical properties that are essential for product development and purposing.