Data from: The adaptive potential of Populus balsamifera L. to phenology requirements in a warmer global climate

Using data from 478 genotypes grown in each of two common gardens, one near the southern edge and another near the northern edge of P. balsamifera’s range, we found that broad-sense heritability for bud flush and bud set was generally high (H2 > 0.5 in most cases), suggesting that abundant genetic variation exists for phenological response to changes in the length of the growing season. To identify the molecular genetic basis of this variation, we genotyped trees for 346 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 27 candidate genes for the CO/FT pathway in poplar.

Mixed model analyses of variance identified SNPs in 10 genes to be associated with variation either bud flush or bud set. Multiple SNPs within FRIGIDA were associated with bud flush, whereas multiple SNPs in LEAFY and GIGANTEA 5 were associated with bud set. Although there was strong population structure in trait variance, except at the most northern populations the geographic distribution of multilocus SNP genotypes was widespread, indicating that geographic regions may harbor sufficient diversity in functional genes to facilitate adaption to future climatic conditions in many populations.

Usage notes

RefSNP_annotation_Dryad_KellerOlson PoplarRefSNPData SNP data used to develop Q and A matrices. A_matrix PopPopStructure K matrix for association mapping CandidateSNPS Phenotypes_OlsonEtAl2012