Current genomic technologies in the basic and applied research of Populus species
Populus species have a great economic importance and are cultivated worldwide due to fast growth, resistance to adverse environment and amenability to vegetative propagation. In addition, poplars are a model species in the studies of woody plant genetic and physiology. By this moment genomes of some species and hybrids - P. trichocarpa, P. euphratica, P. nigra, P. alba, P. tremula, P. tremula × P. alba - are sequenced with different whole-genome sequencing technologies, and the genomic structures were compared. The availability of the genome sequence data significantly facilitated the usage of high-throughput genotyping methods, for example RADseq, which allow you to identify the large number of polymorphisms, generally single-nucleotide substitutions, and to develop high-density linkage maps. Using high-density linkage maps, the effective search of loci associated with valuable features - growth speed, biomass, phenology traits and others using the QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci) and GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Study) analyses. Identification of genes that determine valuable features opens the way to the guided modification of poplar genome using the modern genome-editing technologies. CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to edit genomes of few poplar species and showed high effectiveness in targeted inactivation of genes. In this review, current genomic technologies used for poplar investigation are described. The considered approaches promote the production of new basic knowledge and the breeding of poplar, which is crucial for wood species.