The genome of the poplar tree — black cottonwood genome – has been sequenced for the first time completely. And this work on the Populus trichocarpa will eventually help develop trees as an ideal feedstock for a new generation of bio-fuels – like cellulosic ethanol.
But, what led researchers to target poplar as a model crop for biofuels production? It is the Poplar’s extraordinarily rapid growth and its relatively compact genome size makes it suitable for meeting the world’s demand for alternative clean fuel.
