The use of fossil fuels has become more prevalent in society as technology advances and the global population increases. To mitigate the effects of climate change and promote energy independence in the United States, alternative energy sources such as lignocellulosic biofuels need to be utilized. Lignocellulosic biofuels are produced from the thick secondary cell wall (SCW), or wood, of feedstock plants like trees. Currently though their production is environmentally and economically costly for several reasons, including high nitrogen fertilization requirements and recalcitrance of the SCW. Further understanding of the environmental and genetic controls of SCW biosynthesis is critical for overcoming these challenges and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Here, we have overexpressed the endogenous nitrogen metabolism gene glutamine oxoglutarate aminotransferase (GOGAT) in hybrid poplar to determine its effects on the SCW under varied nitrogen fertilization levels.

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Additional support provided by: Honors Funding

College of Arts & Sciences 2020, Natural Science & Engineering Projects 2020, 2020