The primary focus of this thesis was to investigate the critical strain energy release rates (G) for mixed-mode (I/II) fracture of wood adhesive joints. The aims of the study were: (1) quantifying the fracture properties of two material systems, (2) analyzing the aspects that influence the fracture properties of bonded wood, (3) refining test procedures that particularly address layered orthotropic systems in which the layers are not parallel to the laminate faces, of which wood is often a particular case, and (4) developing testing methods that enhance the usefulness of performing mixed-mode tests with a dual-actuator load frame. The material systems evaluated experimentally involved yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), a hardwood of the Magnoliaceae family, as adherends and two different adhesives: a moisture-cure polyurethane (PU) and a phenol/resorcinol/-formaldehyde (PRF) resin. The geometry tested in the study was the double cantilever beam that, in a dual-actuator load frame, can be used for testing different levels of mode-mixity. The mixed-mode loading condition is obtained by applying different displacement rates with the two independently controlled actuators of the testing machine. Characteristic aspects such as the large variability of the adhesive layer thickness and the intrinsic nature of many wood species, where latewood layers are alternated with earlywood layers, often combine to confound the measures of the critical values of strain energy release rate, Gc. Adhesive layer thickness variations were observed to be substantial also in specimens prepared with power-planed wood boards and affect the value of Gc of the specimens. The grain orientation of latewood and earlywood, materials that often have different densities and elastic moduli, limits the accuracy of traditional standard methods for the evaluation of Gc. The traditional methods, described in the standards ASTM D3433-99 and BS 7991:2001, were originally developed for uniform and isotropic materials but are widely used by researchers also for bonded wood, where they tend to confound stiffness variations with Gc variations. Experimental analysis and analytical computations were developed for quantifying the spread of Gc data that is expected to be caused by variability of the adhesive layer thickness and by the variability of the bending stiffness along wooden beams. / Ph. D.

Thermally modified wood (TMW) contains no toxic components and is recommended for its durability, levels of equilibrium of moisture content, and dimensional stability performance. A limitation of TMW is the lack of market acceptance and products due to insufficient information regarding the performance of commercially available products. The goal of this project was to improve the market penetration and industrial processes of TMW. The first objective was to study the perception of TMW products from architects in North America using a survey instrument. Results revealed that information regarding TMW is not reaching the audience for TMW, and that providing knowledge regarding technical and marketing aspects of TMW is essential to increase the market share. The second objective consisted of the evaluation of the variability of the physical and mechanical properties of three thermally treated species manufactured in North America. Results showed that the performance of the commercially produced material was similar among the three companies, where only in seven out of 24 properties had statistical differences. Properties that were significantly different, did not have large enough differences in means to be realistically noticed by customers and all were highly different from untreated wood. The final objective involved the implementation of Lean thinking to the manufacturing process of TMW with the goal of improving the process with a direct impact on cost and waste reductions. Three companies were used as case studies for the production process. The implementation of Lean thinking in the process proposed a reduction in lead times from 55.47 days to 23.20 days, with an increase in value-added activities from 1% to 6%. Most of these gains were obtained through a reduction in inventory levels. / Master of Science / Thermally modified wood (TMW) contains no toxic components and is recommended for its durability, levels of equilibrium of moisture content, and dimensional stability performance. The current market for TMW encounters a lack market acceptance, due to insufficient information and performance measures. The main goal of this study was to increase market penetration and study the industrial processes for manufacturing TMW, using three specifics objectives. For the first objective, a survey was conducted to study the perception of TMW among architects. The results showed a that there was a lack of information regarding the technical and marketing aspects of TMW products, which needs to be addressed by distributors and producers. The second objective consisted of the evaluation of the variability of mechanical and physical properties of three thermally treated species manufactured in North America. The results showed that the performance from the commercial processes were similar, where only seven out of 24 cases showed statistical differences based on the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The final objective consisted of a Lean process strategy to produce TMW, improving the process with a direct impact on cost and waste reduction. To study the production process, three case study companies were used. The proposed Lean process reduced the lead times and value-added activities increased. The primary gain was seen in reducing inventory levels.

Current surface mine reclamation in Appalachia involves returning the land to approximate original contour by grading the surface and planting grasses and early-successional trees. This results in a greatly altered ecosystem compared to the native forest that was there prior to mining. The reclaimed land is usually degraded economically and environmentally because mine soils are usually less productive than the native soils, and because the mined sites do not provide the same level of ecosystem services. This research addressed constraints to the return of the native ecosystem by assessing how mine spoil properties and treatments affect native tree species and soil microorganisms. A 4x2x3 factorial greenhouse experiment was used to examine the growth of one-year-old Fraxinus americana, Quercus rubra, and Liriodendron tulipifera as well as herbaceous plant occurrence and microbial biomass and activity. Three mine spoils, brown, weathered sandstone (BWS), white, unweathered sandstone (WUS), and gray, unweathered shale (GUH) were compared with undisturbed forest topsoil (UFT) to determine their suitability for tree growth. Half of each of the four media was inoculated with a 2.5-cm layer of topsoil. BWS was the optimal spoil material for the growth of F. americana, Q. rubra and microbial populations. Foliar nutrient analysis indicated that L. tulipifera was highly dependent on nutrient levels and was unable to grow well on any of the spoil types due to deficiencies. Inoculation with topsoil increased tree growth on the GUH spoil, and increased microbial activity and presence of herbaceous plants across all growth media. The field study was used to determine what spoil properties most influenced three-year-old Quercus alba growth. This information was used to test a mine quality classification model. Northeast facing sites with sandy spoils high in nutrients, moderate in pH, and high in microbial populations were optimal for tree growth. These variables explained 52% of the variation in tree growth. Tree growth was also highly correlated with tree foliar nutrient levels, further suggesting that tree growth was influenced by spoil nutrients. Microbial biomass and dehydrogenase production were also regressed against soil properties and were dependant on a moderate pH, high nitrogen levels, and low salt content. These variables explained 53% of the variability in microbial biomass and 50% of the variability in enzyme production. These studies suggest that tree growth and soil microbial populations are closely linked, and both are affected by mine spoil properties. During mined land reclamation, mine spoils conducive to tree growth should be selected if return of the native ecosystem is the reclamation goal. / Master of Science

Flüchtige organische Verbindungen (volatile organic compounds, VOCs) haben vielseitige Funktionen in der Biosphäre und Atmosphäre. VOCs sind an ober- und unterirdischen Interaktionen beteiligt. Zum Beispiel können von Mikroorganismen emittierte VOCs das Pflanzenwachstum beeinflussen und von Pflanzen emittierte VOCs sich auf das Verhalten von Pathogenen und Herbivoren auswirken. Nur wenig ist über die Rolle von VOCs in der Kommunikation von Ektomykorrhizapilzen (EMF) mit ihren Wirtspflanzen bekannt. EMF gehen Symbiosen mit Baumarten wie Pappeln (Populus spp.) ein. Pappeln sind als Biomasseproduzenten von großer ökonomischer Bedeutung, emittieren jedoch eine hohe Konzentration des klima-relevanten VOCs Isopren in die Atmosphäre. Die Rolle von Isopren in biotischen Interaktionen von Pappeln mit Herbivoren ist unklar. Zudem ist es wichtig zu verstehen wie EMF-Inokulation den Metabolismus von Pappeln und dadurch deren oberirdische Interaktion beeinflussen. Hauptziel dieser Arbeit war es, die Kommunikation durch VOCs zwischen Pflanzen und Pilzen zu untersuchen. Zu diesem Zweck wurden die Modellarten Laccaria bicolor und Populus × canescens verwendet. Um die Spezifität von VOC-Mustern sowie Pflanzen-Reaktionen zu untersuchen, wurden einige andere EMF und nicht-Mykorrhiza bildende Pilze getestet sowie die Nicht-Wirtspflanze Arabidopsis verwendet. Um die Bedeutung von Isopren oder EMF auf oberirdische Herbivorie zu untersuchen, wurde die Präferenz des Pappelblattkäfers (Chrysomela populi) und des Weidenblattkäfers (Phrotara vitellinae) für nicht-Isopren emittierende Pappeln überprüft. Insbesondere wurden folgende Fragestellungen untersucht: i) Können EMF und Pilze anderer Lebensweisen aufgrund ihrer VOC-Emissions-Muster voneinander unterschieden werden? ii) Sind pilzliche VOCs an der Erkennung von EMF durch Pappel und Arabidopsis beteiligt und wenn dies zutrifft, welche Verbindungen der Volatilen-Mischung sind an der Reaktion beteiligt? iii) Ist die Isopren-Emission von Pappeln für die Orientierung von Pappelblattkäfern von Bedeutung? iv) Beeinflusst eine Inokulation von Pappeln mit EMF die Abwehr gegen den Pappelblattkäfer C. populi und wenn, welche Transkriptionsveränderungen in den Blättern von EMF-inokulierten im Vergleich zu nicht-inokulierten Pflanzen sind an dieser Reaktion beteiligt? Untersuchungen über Mykorrhiza-Interaktion mit Pappeln erfordern kontrollierte Kultivierungs-Systeme. Daher werden detaillierte Protokolle für die Anzucht von Pappelarten mit und ohne EMF unter axenischen und Freiland-Bedingungen angegeben. Zur Untersuchung der Interaktion zwischen Pappeln und EMF werden zwei-geteilte Wachstumssysteme für die Kultivierung der Pflanzen ohne direkten Kontakt zu EMF beschrieben. i) Um die Spezifität und Gemeinsamkeiten von VOCs von EMF und anderen, nicht-Mykorrhiza bildenden Pilzen zu untersuchen, wurden VOC-Muster von Pilzen verschiedener Lebenssweisen verglichen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die VOC-Emissionen der drei EMF Cenococcum geophilum, L. bicolor und Paxillus involutus (Stämme MAJ und NAU), der drei Pathogene Armillaria mellea, Pholiota squarrosa und Verticillium longisporum sowie der zwei Saprophyten Stropharia rugosoannulata und Trichoderma viride im Gasraum der Kulturen gesammelt. Die Pilze wurden in Petrischalen auf einem synthetischen Medium, welches eine geringe eigene VOC-Emission aufwies, angezogen. Alle VOCs, welche in Kontrollschalen ohne Pilz gemessen wurden, wurden aus dem Datensatz entfernt. Nach Entfernung dieser 40 Hintergrund-VOCs der Kontrollplatten verblieben 54 Pilz-VOCs. Die untersuchten Pilze unterschieden sich stark in ihrem VOC-Emissions-Profil. Nur 15 VOCs wurden bei allen Lebensweisen identifiziert; darunter die typische Pilz-VOC 1-octen-3-ol. Fünfzehn VOCs wurden zuvor noch nicht bei Pilzen gemessen und einige VOCs wurden nur bei einem Pilz oder einer Lebensweise gefunden. Insbesondere die Emission der Sesquiterpene (SQTs) unterschied sich stark zwischen den Pilzen. Multivariate Analysen der VOC-Profile gruppierte die Pilzarten nach ihren Lebensweisen. ii) Zur Ermittlung, ob Pilz-VOCs wichtige Signalstoffe für Pflanzen sind, unabhängig von ihrer Fähigkeit eine Mykorrhiza bilden zu können, wurden die Wirtspflanze P. × canescens und die Nicht-Wirtspflanze A. thaliana VOCs der EMF L. bicolor und C. geophilum ausgesetzt. Pflanzen und Pilze wurden in einem geschlossenen System mit zwei separaten Kompartimenten und gemeinsamem Gasraum kultiviert. Sammeln der Pilz-VOC-Emissionen in den Kontrollplatten mit den Pflanzen zeigte, dass Arabidopsis nur wenige VOCs emittierte, wohingegen sowohl in den Kulturen von L. bicolor als auch in der gemeinsamen Kultur von L. bicolor mit Pflanzen vor allem SQTs detektiert wurden. Die Seitenwurzelbildung von Arabidopsis und Pappel wurde durch L. bicolor-VOCs angeregt. C. geophilum, welcher nicht fähig ist SQTs zu bilden, hatte keine Wirkung auf die Wurzelstruktur. Unterdrückung der SQT-Synthese in L. bicolor durch Inhibierung des Mevalonat-Biosyntheseweges mit Lovastatin verminderte die Stimulierung der Seitenwurzelbildung signifikant. Diese Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass pilzliche SQTs Seitenwurzelbildung auslösen. Das schwach emittierte Thujopsen stimulierte die Seitenwurzelbildung sowohl in Abwesenheit des Pilzes als auch bei einer Unterdrückung der SQT-Biosynthese des Pilzes durch Lovastatin. Das SQT β-Caryophyllene hatte keinen Einfluss auf die Wurzelstruktur. Diese Arbeit zeigt, dass pilzliche SQTs, darunter das spezifische Thujopsen, wichtige Signalstoffe in der Interaktion zwischen EMF und Wirts- sowie Nicht-Wirtspflanzen darstellen. iii) Die Käfer C. populi und P. vitellinae sind typisch vorkommende Schädlinge in Pappelplantagen und können signifikante ökonomische Verluste verursachen. Zur Ermittlung, ob von Pappelblättern emittiertes Isopren von C. populi und P. vitellinae Käfern wahrgenommen wird und eine Rolle bei der Orientierung dieser Käfer spielt, wurden verschiedene Fraßversuche mit den Käfern und Isopren-emittierenden und transgenen nicht-Isopren-emittierenden Pappeln durchgeführt. Sowohl in Gewächshaus- als auch in Laborversuchen zeigten weder die Larven noch die Käfer eine Präferenz für Isopren-emittierende oder nicht-emittierende Linien. Unerwarteter Weise wurden eine verstärkte Eiablage und ein höherer Fraßschaden auf Isopren-emittierenden gegenüber nicht-emittierenden Linien unter Freilandbedingungen festgestellt. Metabolomanalysen wiesen auf Veränderungen in den Blättern, welche von der Pappellinie abhängig waren, und auf Effekte auf Terpen-Muster hin. Die Käfer waren in der Lage verschiedene Terpene wahrzunehmen, waren aber nicht in der Lage Isopren wahrzunehmen. Daher könnten kleine Veränderungen der VOC-Emission in den transgenen nicht-Isopren emittierenden Pappellinien durch Unterdrückung der Isopren-Produktion und/oder ausgelöste Veränderungen im Metabolom-Profil die Käfer-Präferenz verändert haben. Obwohl das Hauptziel der Untersuchung - Isopren - keinen Einfluss auf das Käferverhalten hatte, wurde das Käferverhalten auf den Pappeln durch Konsequenzen der Modifikation beeinflusst. Das Ausmaß dieses Effektes war jedoch marginal. iv) Unter natürlichen Bedingungen interagieren Pappeln zeitgleich mit unterirdischen und oberirdischen Organismen. Zur Untersuchung, ob eine Inokulation von Pappeln mit EMF in den Blättern molekulare Veränderungen hervorruft und ob diese Veränderungen das Verhalten von Pappelblattkäfern beeinflussen, hatten C. populi-Käfer die Wahl zwischen Pappeln, welche mit L. bicolor inokuliert waren, und solchen, die nicht inokuliert waren. C. populi präferierten die Nicht-inokulierten sowohl als Nahrung als auch zur Eiablage. RNA-Sequenzierung des Blatttranskriptoms deutete an, dass der Käferbefall eine starke Abwehrreaktion in den Pflanzen auslöste. Auch die EMF-Inokulation beeinflusste das Blatt-Transkriptom, jedoch nur von wenigen Genen. Im Vergleich zu den nicht-inokulierten Pappeln wiesen die inokulierten Pappeln verringerte Transkript-Abundanzen von Genen des Abscisinsäure-Signalweges und der Flavonoid-Biosynthese sowie erhöhte Transkript-Abundanzen der Biosynthesegene von Aldoximen auf, welche kürzlich als Abwehrstoffe identifiziert wurden. Diese Ergebnisse lassen vermuten, dass EMF die Abwehr gegen Herbivore aktivieren und dadurch den natürlichen Schutz von Pappeln verbessern. In jungen Pappeln verursachen EMF jedoch auch ein signifikant geringeres Wachstum. Zusammenfassend zeigen die Ergebnisse dieser Dissertation, dass EMF-VOC-Profile sich von jenen anderer Pilze oder anderer Lebensweisen unterscheiden und dass eine bestimmte chemische Gruppe, die SQTs, als Signalmoleküle in frühen Interaktionen mit Pflanzen fungieren. Zum ersten Mal konnte eine Pilz-VOC, Thujopsen, identifiziert werden, welche für die Stimulierung der Seitenwurzelbildung in Pflanzen verantwortlich ist. Es wurde gezeigt, dass die Haupt-Pappel-VOC Isopren nur eine geringe Rolle in oberirdischen Interaktionen mit dem Herbivoren C. populi spielt. EMF führten zu Transkriptveränderungen in Pappelblättern und einer reduzierten Attraktivität für C. populi Käfer. Die Ergebnisse dieser Dissertation können für biotechnologische Verbesserungen von Pappeln und verstärktem Schutz von Pappeln in Biomasseplantagen verwendet werden.

Cette étude porte sur le contrôle moléculaire de l'expansion cellulaire dans l'apex de la racine du peuplier. L'étude a été focalisée sur la régulation de l'expression des aquaporines TIP1s sous deux niveaux de déficit hydrique. Un cadre conceptuel, combinant analyse de la densité de transcrits à haute résolution spatiale et un formalisme de la mécanique des fluides, a été établi pour décrire la régulation de l'expression des gènes dans le temps et l'espace, le long de l'apex. Deux états de croissance contrastés ont été étudiés : un où la croissance de l'apex de la racine est rétablie (après 3 jours de stress modéré, 80 mosmol kg-1, 100 g L-1 de polyéthylène glycol PEG à 3500 g mol-1) et un où elle est réduite (après 3 jours de stress fort, 250 mosmol kg-1, 200 g L-1 de PEG). L'analyse cinématique a révélé une sensibilité différentielle de la vitesse d'allongement relatif (REGR) selon le niveau de stress et la position le long de l'apex. Au niveau moléculaire, nous montrons que lorsque la croissance est réduite, les pics de densité de transcrits des TIP1s sont plus forts et décalés dans les premiers millimètres de l'apex, zone où la croissance des cellules est maintenue. Cependant les niveaux d'induction/répression n'étaient jamais plus élevés que dans la condition témoin, soulignant qu'une forte densité de transcrits n'est pas forcément synonyme d'une forte induction de l'expression. Focalisé sur la combinaison de deux processus dynamiques, l'expansion cellulaire et l'expression des gènes, cette étude a mis en évidence que les conclusions tirées de l'analyse de ces processus sont influencées par la façon dont le temps, l'espace sont considérés / This study consideres the molecular control of cell expansion in poplar root apex. The study was focused on the regulation of the TIP1 aquaporins expression under two levels of water deficit. A conceptual framework combining transcript density analysis (quantitative PCR) at a high spatial resolution and a fluid mechanics formalism was established to describe the regulation of gene expression in time and space along the root apex. Two contrasting growth status were both studied: root growth rate is either restored (after three days of moderate stress, 80 mmol kg-1, 100 g L-1 polyethylene glycol PEG 3500 g mol-1) or root growth rate is reduced (after 3 days of high stress, 250 mosmol kg-1, 200 g L-1 PEG). Kinematic analysis revealed a differential sensitivity of the relative elemental growth rate (REGR) according to the stress level and to the coordinate along the apex. At the molecular level, we showed that growth reduction was associated with a shift of maximal densities of transcripts towards the first millimeters of the apex, where cell expansion was maintained. Meanwhile the induction/repression levels were never stronger than in the control condition underlying that a high transcript density does not mean a high transcriptional induction. Focused on the combination of two dynamic processes, cell expansion and gene expression, my thesis showed that the conclusions issued from the analyses of these processes are influenced by the way time, space and age are considered

Vast amounts of carbon are stored forest soils, a product of decaying organic matter. Increased CO2 in the atmosphere is predicted to lead to increasing global temperatures, and more extreme moisture regimes. Such increases in mean temperature could accelerate the rate of organic matter decay in soils and lead to additional release of CO2 into the atmosphere, thus exacerbating climate change. However, due to its impact on plant metabolism, high atmospheric CO2 concentrations may also lead to greater condensed tannins (CT) and reduced nitrogen (N) content in leaf litter. This reduction in litter quality has the potential to slow decay of organic matter in soil and therefore offset the accelerated decay resulting from a warmer climate. My research aimed to quantify the effects of climate and litter chemistry, specifically CT and N, on litter decay, N mineralization and associated microbes in the field. Strings of litterbags were laid on the forest floor along climate transects of mature Douglas-fir stands of coastal British Columbia rain-shadow forests. In-situ climate was monitored alongside carbon and nitrogen loss over 3.58 years of decay along three transects located at different latitudes, each transect spanning the coastal Western Hemlock and Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zones. Microbial communities in the decaying litter and in forest soils were also analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). Microbial biogeography at field sites was partially influenced by climate, soil characteristics and spatial distance, but did not improve best fit decay models using climate and litter chemistry variables. Litter with greater initial CT and smaller N concentration slowed down early decay (0 - 0.58 yr) and net N mineralization. Warmer temperatures accelerated later decay (0.58 - 3.58 yr) and net N mineralization. Water-soluble CT were rapidly lost during decay, while other forms of CT were likely responsible for slower decay. The composition of fungal communities on decaying litter was affected by initial concentrations of CT and N. On a yearly basis, the slower decay of litter with high CT and reduced N content can offset accelerated rates of decay associated with warmer temperatures. Concurrent shifts in microbial communities and net N mineralization suggest potential benefits to trees. / Graduate / 2017-12-19

Les arbres sont capables de modifier l’orientation de leurs branches et de leur tronc par la production asymétrique de bois précontraint. Il existe des modèles biomécaniques développés pour simuler ces mouvements, mais ils ne simulent pas correctement le redressement (ou mouvement gravitropique) de jeunes arbres à l’échelle de temps intra-annuelle. La méconnaissance de la cinétique de maturation et des propriétés mécaniques du bois vert est responsable de ces résultats. Les travaux présentés dans ce mémoire ont pour objectifs de caractériser le comportement mécanique du bois vert au cours de sa maturation, et de développer un modèle biomécanique qui puisse simuler quantitativement le gravitropisme de jeunes peupliers. Des comportements mécaniques non-linéaires sont révélés par des essais de traction cycliques sur de fines lamelles de bois vert. Ils sont quantifiés par une grandeur mécanique liant rigidité et déformation. Des essais de flexion réalisés sur des planchettes renseignent quant à eux sur l’évolution intra-cerne du module élastique. Ces campagnes d’essais montrent une augmentation puis une diminution du module au cours de la maturation des cellules. Des essais de fluage indiquent que le comportement viscoélastique du bois vert se modélise par un modèle de Burgers. Les propriétés viscoélastiques du bois vert sont ainsi déterminées. Les propriétés mécaniques obtenues sont utilisées dans un modèle biomécanique développé pour modéliser l’évolution spatio-temporelle des propriétés. Le gravitropisme de jeunes peupliers est alors modélisé grâce à la prise en compte du comportement viscoélastique du bois vert, de la maturation continue des cellules, et de la variation des déformations de maturation au cours de la saison de végétation. / Trees are able to modify the orientation of their trunk and branches by asymmetrical production of prestressed wood. Biomechanical models designed to simulate these movements exist, but they cannot fit the righting-up movement (also called gravitropism) of young poplar trees at the intra-annual scale. The lack of knowledge of green wood maturation and mechanical properties is suspected to be responsible for this discrepancy. The aims of this study are to characterize mechanical properties of green wood during the maturation process, and to develop a biomechanical model that simulates quantitatively the gravitropism of young poplars. Nonlinear mechanical behavior is observed in cyclic tensile tests performed on thin lamellas of green wood. A relationship between stiffness and strain enables the characterization of this behavior. The intra-ring evolution of modulus of elasticity is measured using 3-points bending tests on small boards. Both of these experimental campaigns show that wood stiffness increases then decreases while cells are maturating. Creep tests show that green wood viscoelastic behaviour is described by a Burgers’ model. As a result, green wood viscoelastic properties are determined. These mechanical properties are used in a new biomechanical model designed for considering spatio-temporal evolutions of wood properties. Then the gravitropic movements of young poplars are simulated by considering viscoelastic behaviour of green wood, continuous maturation of cells, and variation of maturation strains along the growing season.

Le système racinaire des arbres peut établir des symbioses ectomycorhiziennes (ECM) avec des champignons rhizosphériques. La mise en place de la symbiose est accompagnée d'une stimulation de la formation des racines latérales (RLs), et d'une modification de la croissance racinaire. Ces processus développementaux conduisent à la formation de racines courtes typiques des ECMs. Il a été montré que l'auxine est une phytohormone clef dans la formation des RLs ainsi que dans la croissance racinaire. Notre projet s'est focalisé sur l'étude de la régulation des voies de l'auxine dans la racine de peuplier en réponse à L. bicolor. Dans cette étude, nous avons mis en évidence un arrêt de croissance des RLs et des racines adventives du peuplier Populus tremula x P. alba, après deux semaines de co-culture avec L. bicolor. De plus, nous avons aussi montré que cet arrêt n'est pas conditionné par la présence du réseau de Hartig. Une analyse de l'expression globale des gènes de peuplier dans la mycorhize a été réalisée au cours de la formation de la mycorhize. Cette analyse, couplée à des observations du gradient auxinique via le patron d'expression du promoteur DR5, montre que la signalisation auxinique est affectée dans l'organe symbiotique. La quantification de l'auxine (acide indole 3-acétique, AIA) et des métabolites associés a permis de mettre en évidence un environnement symbiotique riche en auxine dans la mycorhize, qui pourrait expliquer les modifications de la signalisation auxinique. De plus, un changement de la conjugaison et de la dégradation de l'AIA est détecté dans la racine, ainsi qu'une dégradation de l'AIA dans les hyphes de L. bicolor. En parallèle, une analyse fonctionnelle de PtaPIN9, un orthologue de AtPIN2, responsable du transport basipète de l'auxine à l'apex racinaire chez Arabidopsis thaliana, a été réalisée au cours de la mycorhization avec L. bicolor. L'immunolocalisation de PtPIN9 dans les racines de peuplier a montré une localisation similaire à AtPIN2, dans les cellules épidermiques. Les lignées transgéniques ayant une modification de l'expression de ce gène ne répondent pas à L. bicolor en terme de stimulation de RLs. Dans les racines mycorhizées, PtaPIN9 n'est plus observée, mais les modifications de l'expression de PtaPIN9 ne modifient ni l'arrêt de croissance racinaire, ni la formation du réseau de Hartig. Ces résultats montrent des modifications majeures des voies de l'auxine du peuplier par le champignon symbiotique L. bicolor. Cette étude ouvre des perspectives sur la compréhension du rôle de l'auxine dans le développement racinaire ainsi que dans le contexte des interactions plantes-microorganismes / Root systems of host trees are known to establish the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) symbiosis with rhizospheric fungi. This mutualistic association leads to modifications of root development that including a stimulation of lateral host roots, and a modification in root growth. The phytohormone auxin (Indole-3-acetic acid, IAA) is known to regulate LRs formation and root growth. Our research focussed on auxin pathways in poplar root in response to L. bicolor. In this study, our data showed that the poplar-Laccaria bicolor interaction leads to the arrest of LRs and adventitious root growth after two weeks of interaction. We also showed that this arrest is not regulated by the Hartig net. Differential auxin responses were analyzed by using an auxin-responsive DR5::GUS marker line and revealed a loss of auxin response in ECM roots. An oligoarray-based transcript profiling of poplar roots in contact with L. bicolor highlights a differential expression of auxin asociated genes in ECM. Measurement of auxin metabolite in ECM and in the free living partners revealed an IAA accumulation, an activation of the IPyA (Indol-3-Pyruvic Acid) dependant IAA biosynthesis pathway in both partners, as well as changes in IAA conjugation pathways in poplar and in IAA degradation pathways in L. bicolor. Our findings illustrate the impact of L. bicolor colonization on root auxin metabolism and response, and also suggest a role of auxin as a signal in the formation of ECM and in the regulation of ECM function. In parallel, PtaPIN9 function analysis in response to L. bicolor has been performed. PtaPIN9 immunolocalization in poplar roots showed similar localization to AtPIN2 in epidermis cells. Transgenic lines having a modification in PtaPIN9 expression, did not formed new LRs in respond to L. bicolor. In ECM roots, the loss of PtaPIN9 signal is observed but modifications of PtaPIN9 expression did not modify the root growth arrest and the Hartig net formation. These results show major changes in auxin associate pathways in poplar root by the symbiotic fungus L. bicolor, during the formation of the mycorrhiza root. Our results offer perspectives on the role of auxin in root development and in the context plants-microbes interactions

<p>Photosynthesis captures light from the sun and converts it into carbohydrates, which are utilised by almost all living organisms. The conversion between the different forms of carbohydrates is the basis to form almost all biological molecules.</p><p>The main intention of this thesis has been to study the role of UDP-glucose in carbohydrate synthesis and metabolism, and in particular the genes that encode UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase) and UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (UGDH) in plants and their regulation. UGPase converts glucose-1-phosphate to UDP-glucose, which can be utilised for sucrose synthesis, or cell wall polysaccharides among others. UGDH converts UDP-glucose to UDP-glucuronate, which is a precursor for hemicellulose and pectin. As model species I have been working with both Arabidopsis thaliana and poplar.</p><p>Sequences for two full-length EST clones of Ugp were obtained from both Arabidopsis and poplar, the cDNAs in Arabidopsis correlate with two genes in the Arabidopsis genomic database.</p><p>The derived protein sequences are 90-93% identical within each plants species and 80-83% identical between the two species.</p><p>Studies on Ugp showed that the expression is up-regulated by Pi-deficiency, sucrose-feeding and by light exposure in Arabidopsis. Studies with Arabidopsis plants with mutations in sugar/ starch- and Pi-content suggested that the Ugp expression is modulated by an interaction of signals derived from Pi-deficiency, sugar content and light/ dark conditions, where the signals act independently or inhibiting each other, depending on conditions. Okadaic acid, a known inhibitor of certain classes of protein phosphatases, prevented the up-regulation of Ugp by Pi-deficiency and sucrose-feeding. In poplar, sucrose also up-regulated the expression of Ugp. When poplar and Arabidopsis were exposed to cold, an increase of Ugp transcript content was detected as well as an increase in UGPase protein and activity. In poplar, Ugp was found to be expressed in all tissues that were examined (differentiating xylem, phloem, apical leaves and young and mature leaves).</p><p>By using antisense strategy, Arabidopsis plants that had a decrease in UGPase activity of up to 30% were obtained. In the antisense plants, the soluble carbohydrate content was reduced in the leaves by at least 50%; in addition the starch content decreased. Despite the changes in carbohydrate content, the growth rate of the antisense plants was not changed compared to wild type plants under normal growth conditions. However, in the antisense lines the UGPase activity and protein content in sliliques and roots increased, perhaps reflecting compensatory up-regulation of second Ugp gene. This correlates with a slightly larger molecular mass of UGPase protein in roots and siliques when compared to that in leaves. Maximal photosynthesis rates were similar for both wild type and antisense plants, but the latter had up to 40% lower dark respiration and slightly lower quantum yield than wild type plants.</p><p>Two Ugdh cDNAs from poplar and one from Arabidopsis were sequenced. The highest Ugdh expression was found in xylem and younger leaves. Expression data from sugar and osmoticum feeding experiment in poplar suggested that the Ugdh expression is regulated via an osmoticumdependent pathway.</p>

Photosynthesis captures light from the sun and converts it into carbohydrates, which are utilised by almost all living organisms. The conversion between the different forms of carbohydrates is the basis to form almost all biological molecules. The main intention of this thesis has been to study the role of UDP-glucose in carbohydrate synthesis and metabolism, and in particular the genes that encode UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGPase) and UDP-glucose dehydrogenase (UGDH) in plants and their regulation. UGPase converts glucose-1-phosphate to UDP-glucose, which can be utilised for sucrose synthesis, or cell wall polysaccharides among others. UGDH converts UDP-glucose to UDP-glucuronate, which is a precursor for hemicellulose and pectin. As model species I have been working with both Arabidopsis thaliana and poplar. Sequences for two full-length EST clones of Ugp were obtained from both Arabidopsis and poplar, the cDNAs in Arabidopsis correlate with two genes in the Arabidopsis genomic database. The derived protein sequences are 90-93% identical within each plants species and 80-83% identical between the two species. Studies on Ugp showed that the expression is up-regulated by Pi-deficiency, sucrose-feeding and by light exposure in Arabidopsis. Studies with Arabidopsis plants with mutations in sugar/ starch- and Pi-content suggested that the Ugp expression is modulated by an interaction of signals derived from Pi-deficiency, sugar content and light/ dark conditions, where the signals act independently or inhibiting each other, depending on conditions. Okadaic acid, a known inhibitor of certain classes of protein phosphatases, prevented the up-regulation of Ugp by Pi-deficiency and sucrose-feeding. In poplar, sucrose also up-regulated the expression of Ugp. When poplar and Arabidopsis were exposed to cold, an increase of Ugp transcript content was detected as well as an increase in UGPase protein and activity. In poplar, Ugp was found to be expressed in all tissues that were examined (differentiating xylem, phloem, apical leaves and young and mature leaves). By using antisense strategy, Arabidopsis plants that had a decrease in UGPase activity of up to 30% were obtained. In the antisense plants, the soluble carbohydrate content was reduced in the leaves by at least 50%; in addition the starch content decreased. Despite the changes in carbohydrate content, the growth rate of the antisense plants was not changed compared to wild type plants under normal growth conditions. However, in the antisense lines the UGPase activity and protein content in sliliques and roots increased, perhaps reflecting compensatory up-regulation of second Ugp gene. This correlates with a slightly larger molecular mass of UGPase protein in roots and siliques when compared to that in leaves. Maximal photosynthesis rates were similar for both wild type and antisense plants, but the latter had up to 40% lower dark respiration and slightly lower quantum yield than wild type plants. Two Ugdh cDNAs from poplar and one from Arabidopsis were sequenced. The highest Ugdh expression was found in xylem and younger leaves. Expression data from sugar and osmoticum feeding experiment in poplar suggested that the Ugdh expression is regulated via an osmoticumdependent pathway.