How do we explore genetic diversity on populations of forest tree species?

Chairperson and Professor, Forestry

Investigation of levels and patterns of genetic diversity in populations of forest species using chloroplast and mitochondrial RFLPs. The objective is quantification of biodiversity in natural and artificial populations and development of methodology for investigating ecological influences and governing speciation in Picea in the western United States. Coordination of applied research on tree improvement, specifically the development of breeding and seed orchards for important Christmas tree species, one of Michigan's largest commodity crops.

Selected Publications

Stine, M. and D.E. Keathley. 1991. Paternal inheritance of plastids in Engelmann spruce X blue spruce hybrids. Journal of Heredity 81:443-446.

Stine, M., A.J. David and D.E. Keathley. 1992. Inheritance of plastids and mitochondria in spruce. The Plant Genetics News Letter 8(1):2-4.

Han, K.H., D.E. Keathley, J.M. Davis and M.P. Gordon. 1993. Regeneration of a transgenic woody legume (Robinia Pseudoacacia L., black locust) and morphological alterations induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated transformation. Plant Science 88:149-157.

Han, K.H., D.E. Keathley and M.P. Gordon. 1993. Cambial tissue culture and subsequent shoot regeneration from mature black locust (Robinia Pseudoacacia L.). Plant Cell Reports 12:185-188.

Keathley, D.E. 1993. Biological enhancement of Christmas tree production in Michigan. Michigan Christmas Tree Journal 36:38-40.

David, A.J. and D.E. Keathley. 1996. Inheritance of mitrochondrial DNA in interspecific crosses of Picea glauca and Picea omorika. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 26(3):428-432.