b'How Marie Klein is Helping Create Airplane Fuel from PlantsSustainable agriculture plays a pivotal role in addressing food security and climate change. Marc ZienkiewiczIN A WORLD WHEREenvironmental concerns are at the forefront of global discussions, the search for sustainable energy sources has never been more critical. At the intersection of agriculture, bioenergy, and plant breeding, innovative researchers are working diligently to pave the way for a greener future.One such researcher is Marie Klein, a National Association of Plant Breeders (NAPB) Borlaug scholar and a Ph.D. candidate in the horticulture and agronomy graduate group at the University of California, Davis. She sat down with Seed World Canada editor Marc Zienkiewicz in Greenville, South Carolina at the NAPB meeting this past summer to talk about her groundbreaking work focusing on harnessing the potential of poplar trees to pro-duce 100% sustainable aviation fuel.The Borlaug Scholarship Program plays a crucial role inMarie Klein, NAPB Borlaug Scholar, is working on a Ph.D. in strengthening the plant breeding profession by supporting thehorticulture and agronomy at UC Davis.attendance of promising future leaders at the NAPB annual meetings. These scholars, like Klein, represent the next genera- (IPCC) report, biomass utilization, like that of trees, is essential to tion of innovators, aiming to address some of the most pressingachieving carbon reduction goals. Trees have the unique abil-global challenges, particularly related to climate change andity to capture carbon from the soil and convert it into biomass, sustainable agriculture. effectively creating a carbon-neutral energy source.Kleins journey into the world of plant breeding began withTo achieve this ambitious goal, Klein and her team are faced a desire to make a positive impact on the environment. Hailingwith the challenge of growing these trees on marginal landfrom Cologne, Germany, an urban hub, she initially had littleland that isnt suitable for food crop production or other eco-exposure to agriculture. However, she quickly recognized thenomic activities. Drought tolerance is a key attribute these trees importance of sustainable agriculture and the pivotal role it playsmust possess, as marginal lands may have poor soil conditions in addressing food security and climate change. and limited access to irrigation.Her academic journey started with a bachelors and mastersKleins research involves extensive tree phenotyping and the degree in crop science and agriculture in Germany. Her passionuse of advanced remote sensing technology to understand tree for the field led her to work in various agricultural landscapes,physiology. Moreover, the study of the genes responsible for including Benin, Burkina Faso, and the Philippines, where shedrought tolerance is a significant component of the research.worked at the International Rice Research Institute. These experi- Kleins involvement in the National Association of Plant ences shaped her perspective and instilled a deep-rooted com- Breeders (NAPB) and the Borlaug Scholarship Program has been mitment to sustainable agriculture. instrumental in her journey. These platforms provide her with the Kleins current project at UC Davis focuses on black cotton- opportunity to network with renowned leaders in the plant breed-wood trees, also known as poplar trees, which are native to theing field, receive mentorship, and engage in valuable discussions Pacific Northwest, spanning from Canada to Southern California.about science, research, and the future of agriculture.SWThese trees are renowned for their rapid growth and are con-sidered a model system for tree research due to their relatively small genome and well-sequenced genetic information.ON THE WEBThe goal of her research is nothing short of revolutionary:WHERE to develop 100% sustainable aviation fuel from these trees. The concept may seem ambitious, but it is born out of necessity.Listen to the entire podcast here:According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changewww.seedworld.com/how-marie-klein-is-helping-create-airplane-fuel-from-plants/JANUARY 2024SEEDWORLD.COM /23'