ORNL researchers and partners around the nation hope to determine which poplar genes are responsible for below-ground carbon sequestration. Soil accounts for the greatest proportion of carbon stored in terrestrial systems, totaling more than plant sources and annual average atmospheric inputs combined. Still, scientists know little about the soil storage process and which genes are related to what they call sink strength. Through this latest effort - a $5.1 million three-year project researchers hope to identify and characterize genes that play key roles in carbon sequestration within the plants and into the soil. Partners are the University of Florida, Oregon State University, University of Minnesota National Renewable Energy Laboratory and U.S. Forest Service.
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