Seasonal timing of BUD-break is one of the most important developmental processes in perennial trees because IT determines when growth resumes after winter dormancy

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Michigan Technological University $649,980 on September 15, 2026, under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Foundational and Applied Science Program to investigate the genetic mechanisms that regulate bud-break timing in poplar trees.

The project will identify genes controlled by three previously discovered regulatory genes, determine how they coordinate bud-break, and establish the biological pathways responsible for the seasonal transition from dormancy to growth resumption. The work will develop and evaluate new genetic approaches for modifying bud-break timing through naturally occurring temperature-responsive regulatory elements, testing candidate genes and engineered regulatory systems under both controlled environmental conditions and replicated field trials to assess effects on bud-break timing, growth, and overall plant performance.

Expected outcomes include a better understanding of molecular mechanisms controlling seasonal growth in perennial trees, identification of new genes involved in bud-break regulation, development of innovative genetic tools for modifying bud phenology, and generation of genomic and transgenic resources for the research community. The project will also provide interdisciplinary training for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in molecular biology and functional genomics.

Performance occurs at Houghton, Michigan, with a period of performance from September 15, 2026, through September 14, 2030. The assistance type is a Project Grant.

BUD-break must occur early enough to maximize the growing season while avoiding damage from unfavorable spring conditions. The timing of this process influences tree productivity, survival, and adaptation, yet the biological mechanisms that control IT remain poorly understood. This project will investigate the genetic mechanisms that regulate BUD-break in poplar, a widely used model tree species for forest biology and biotechnology. Previous work has identified three key regulatory genes that play central roles in determining when trees resume growth after dormancy. Building on these discoveries, this project will identify the genes controlled by these regulators, determine how they work together to coordinate BUD-break, and establish the biological pathways responsible for this important seasonal transition. The project will also develop and evaluate new genetic approaches for modifying the timing of BUD-break through naturally occurring temperature-responsive regulatory elements. These studies will provide proof-of-concept tools for precisely regulating seasonal growth in trees. Candidate genes and engineered regulatory systems will be evaluated both under controlled environmental conditions and in replicated field trials to determine their effects on BUD-break timing, growth, and overall plant performance. The expected outcomes include a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling seasonal growth in perennial trees, identification of new genes involved in BUD-break regulation, development of innovative genetic tools for modifying BUD phenology, and generation of valuable genomic and transgenic resources for the research community. The project will also provide interdisciplinary training for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in molecular biology, functional genomics, genome engineering, and forest biotechnology. Knowledge generated by this research will provide a foundation for future efforts to improve tree productivity and adaptation through molecular breeding and biotechnology.