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UdeC Research Aims to Select Drought-Resistant Eucalyptus Trees

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• The Euca-drought project, led by Dr. José Luis Ulloa, seeks to identify eucalyptus genotypes that are more drought-resistant and water-efficient.

The Chilean forestry industry contributes nearly 3% of the Gross Domestic Product, making it the second most important sector after mining, and accounts for 7% of national exports. However, water is an essential and limited resource for maintaining plantations. Therefore, developing sustainable solutions is crucial to address water deficit situations, such as the one that affected the country between 2010 and 2021.

A key initiative is being carried out by the Forest Genomics Laboratory at the Biotechnology Center of the University of Concepción. This is the Euca-drought project: A Platform for Selecting Drought-Tolerant and Water-Efficient Eucalyptus sp. Varieties, funded by the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID) through the Fondef program.

This ambitious effort involves collaboration with entities such as Bioforest S.A., the Forest Research Institute, and the Cooperative for Forest Genetic Improvement, and is led by Dr. José Luis Ulloa, an Engineer in Plant Biotechnology and Doctor in Forest Sciences.

Dr. Ulloa explained that, within the forestry sector, eucalyptus holds a prominent place, covering 36% of the total planted area in Chile. Therefore, addressing the challenges posed by low water availability is critical.

"Drought stress is one of the main concerns in the forestry sector, as it causes losses due to reduced yields, plant mortality during establishment, increased pest and disease attacks, as well as greater susceptibility to fires," he stated.

During the megadrought period, the researcher added, Chile experienced a water deficit ranging from 20% to 45% below the annual average. It was in this context that the Euca-drought project was conceived.

"The main objective of the project is to develop a laboratory service to select Eucalyptus individuals with greater drought tolerance and higher water-use efficiency to ensure sustainable production and potentially reduce water consumption and its environmental impact," he said.

The research focuses on the Eucalyptus globulus species because, as Dr. José Luis Ulloa explained, it is the second most planted forest species in the country and has suitable characteristics for cellulose pulp production, featuring rapid growth and high adaptability to Chilean soil conditions. However, prolonged exposure to water deficit hampers its development.

"The problem is related to this species being affected by prolonged drought periods, and due to climate change, central Chile is projected to experience a 50% reduction in rainfall, which will negatively impact productivity. That is why we aim to develop strategies to select genotypes or varieties capable of growing under water scarcity, over those that cannot," said the Plant Biotechnology Engineer.

The project seeks to answer the question of what makes one variety of Eucalyptus globulus more drought-resistant than another of the same species. To achieve this, various eucalyptus varieties are subjected to controlled drought conditions in greenhouse experiments. Subsequently, the DNA of these plants is analyzed to identify genetic differences that could explain their resistance or susceptibility to drought. With this data, laboratory tests will be developed to help producers identify genotypes better suited to cope with water scarcity.

Variety Ranking
In its first year of implementation, the project has made significant progress, as reported by Dr. José Luis Ulloa, allowing the creation of a list ranking the best candidates for drought resistance.

"One year has passed since the project began, during which the first greenhouse experiment was conducted, enabling the creation of a ranking of varieties, also called 'genotypes,' to determine which are more tolerant and which are susceptible. Additionally, we identified certain DNA sites that differentiate them, which will help us develop the aforementioned laboratory tests," he explained.

Dr. Ulloa notes that these results have great potential to improve sustainability in the forestry industry. By offering nurseries and forestry companies a service to estimate the likelihood of a specific eucalyptus genotype tolerating drought events, the project contributes to creating more resilient and water-efficient plantations. This approach, the researcher emphasized, is crucial in a future where water footprint and environmental sustainability will become increasingly relevant.

"From a productive standpoint, it is urgent to have varieties that can adapt to the new projected conditions for the country, where the outlook for rainfall and climatic conditions in central Chile is discouraging. Being able to anticipate this situation is vital to ensuring sustainable production in the future," stated Dr. José Luis Ulloa.