Germplasm Resources of Oaks (Quercus L.) in China: Utilization and Prospects

Abstract

Oaks exhibit unique biological characteristics and high adaptability to complex climatic and soil conditions. They are widely distributed across various regions, spanning 40 degrees latitude and 75 degrees longitude. The total area of oak forest in China is 16.72 million hm2. There are 60 lineages of Quercus in China, including 49 species, seven varieties, and four subgenera. Archaeological data indicate that oaks were already widely distributed in ancient times, and they are dominant trees in vast regions of China’s forests. In addition, the acorn was an important food for ancestral humans, and it has accompanied human civilization since the early Paleolithic. Diverse oak species are widely distributed and have great functional value, such as for greening, carbon sequestration, industrial and medicinal uses, and insect rearing. Long-term deforestation, fire, diseases, and pests have led to a continuous decline in oak resources. This study discusses the Quercus species and their distribution in China, ecological adaptation, and the threats facing the propagation and growth of oaks in a changing world. This will give us a better understanding of Quercus resources, and provide guidance on how to protect and better utilize germplasm resources in China. The breeding of new varieties, pest control, and chemical and molecular research also need to be strengthened in future studies.

Karyotype and LTR-RTs analysis provide insights into oak genomic evolution

“…Quercus (oaks), the largest genus in the family Fagaceae, is widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, including Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas [32]. As an important ecological and economic tree in East Asia, oaks are famous for their environmental adaptability, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and providing many biological materials [33,34]. Currently, eight chromosome-level oak genomes have been sequenced and annotated, including Q. acutissima [35], Q. dentata [36], Q. gilva [37], Q. glauca [38], Q. lobata [39], Q. mongolica [40], Q. robur [9], and Q. variabilis [41].…”

An Overview of Oak Species in Pakistan: Past, Present, and Future Research Perspectives

“…Quercus L., belonging to the family Fagaceae, is considered an ecologically and economically important genus in the deciduous and evergreen forest ecosystems in the Northern Hemisphere [1], formed by more than 500 species [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Quercus species are commonly found in Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa because of their high ability to adapt to a variety of climatic and soil conditions [7].…”

“…Quercus L., belonging to the family Fagaceae, is considered an ecologically and economically important genus in the deciduous and evergreen forest ecosystems in the Northern Hemisphere [1], formed by more than 500 species [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Quercus species are commonly found in Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa because of their high ability to adapt to a variety of climatic and soil conditions [7]. European (Bulgaria, Portugal, Romania, Italy, and Spain), American (Canada, U.S., and Mexico), and Asian countries (Afghanistan, China, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, Japan, India, and Pakistan) have particularly high abundances of these species.…”

“…Forest trees, such as oaks, are long-lived organisms that have played a crucial role in human life since earlier human civilization [12]. They are important components of the Earth's health and ecosystems, being involved in our culture and spiritual practices and used for a wide range of goods and services [7]. They must be preserved as irreplaceable cultural heritage for subsequent generations.…”

“…They must be preserved as irreplaceable cultural heritage for subsequent generations. However, humankind is constantly deforesting, clearing, or shrinking oak forest areas [7].…”