Jane Mademann

Poplars are an attractive source for second-generation biomass and -fuels, however climate change makes cultivation of these drought-sensitive trees challenging. During periods of drought the hydraulic safety of trees is endangered by xylem embolisms and transpiration stream failure. While changes in the xylem secondary cell wall (SCW) have been implicated in the acclimation response to drought stress, it remains elusive if and how trees can alter the xylem SCW composition to ensure water conductivity. My project aims to reveal potential changes in SCW traits under different severities of drought stress and optimal or minimal nutrition. My focus will be lignin-deficient poplars, as lower lignin contents are beneficial for the processing of biomass, but might reduce their likelihood of survival under drought stress.