Ecosystem Science & Management

Research Interests

• Evolutionary, population, conservation and ecological genetics
• Environmental stress and adaptive genes study
• Comparative and population genomics
• Genome, QTL, comparative, candidate gene and association mapping
• Plant molecular systematics and phylogeny
• Introgressive hybridization, gene flow and mating system
• Molecular genetic marker development

Current Research

My primary research interest is in understanding the genetic control of complex traits that define adaptation and response to environmental stresses in conifers, as well as traits of practical value, such as wood quality, growth, and disease resistance, which often have quantitative expression. Conifers have significant economic and environmental importance, and a remarkable evolution. I use cDNA libraries and EST nucleotide sequences to find alleles that are under positive or negative selection. I collaborate on the Douglas-fir Genomics Project (DFGP) to find candidate genes for adaptive traits and to use association mapping for identification of the specific loci and alleles that are responsible for phenotypic differences in adaptive traits. I use population genomic approaches to analyze also population substructure in Douglas-fir and loblolly pine.

Selected Recent Publications

Refereed Publications
Krutovsky, K. V., M. Matvienko, A. Kozik and D. B. Neale, 2005 Identification of candidate genes for Conserved Ortholog Set in forest trees. Tree Genetics and Genomes (submitted)

Jermstad, K. D., L. A. Sheppard, B. B. Kinloch, A. Delfino-Mix, E. S. Ersoz, K. V. Krutovsky and D. B. Neale, 2005 Isolation of a conserved full-length CC-NBS-LRR resistance gene candidate from sugar pine. Tree Genetics and Genomes (submitted)

Krutovsky, K. V., and D. B. Neale, 2005 Nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium in cold-hardiness and wood quality related candidate genes. Genetics (submitted)

Wheeler, N. C., K. D. Jermstad, K. V. Krutovsky, S. N. Aitken, G. T. Howe, J. Krakowski and D. B. Neale, 2005 Mapping of quantitative trait loci controlling adaptive traits in coastal Douglas-Fir. IV. Cold-hardiness QTL verification and candidate gene mapping. Molecular Breeding 15: 145-156.

Krutovsky, K. V., and D. B. Neale, 2005 Forest genomics and new molecular genetic approaches to measuring and conserving adaptive genetic diversity in forest trees. In: Th. Geburek & J. Turok (eds.) Conservation and Management of Forest Genetic Resources in Europe, Arbora Publishers, Zvolen.

Krutovsky, K. V., M. Troggio, G. R. Brown, K. D. Jermstad and D. B. Neale, 2004 Comparative mapping in the Pinaceae. Genetics 168(1): 447-461.

Neale, D. B., and K. V. Krutovsky, 2004 Comparative Genetic Mapping in Trees: The Group of Conifers, pp. 267-277 in Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry: Molecular Marker Systems edited by H. Lörz and G. Wenzel. Springer-Verlag, Berlin/Heidelberg.

Schnabel, A., and K. V. Krutovskii, 2004 Conservation genetics and evolutionary history of Gleditsia caspica: inferences from allozyme diversity in populations from Azerbaijan. Conservation Genetics 5(2): 195-204.

Slavov, G. T., G. T. Howe, I. Yakovlev, K. J. Edwards, K. V. Krutovskii, G. A. Tuskan, J. E. Carlson, S. H. Strauss and W. T. Adams, 2004 Highly variable SSR markers in Douglas-fir: Mendelian inheritance and map locations. Theor. Appl. Genet. 108: 873-880.

Ledig, F. T., P. D. Hodgskiss, K. V. Krutovskii, D. B. Neale and T. Eguiluz-Piedra, 2004 Relationships among the spruces (Picea, Pinaceae) of Southwestern North America. Systematic Botany 29(2): 275-295.

Krutovskii, K. V. and D. B. Neale, 2001 Forest Genomics for Conserving Adaptive Genetic Diversity. Forest Genetic Resources Working Papers, Working Paper FGR/3. Forest Resources Development Service, Forest Resources Division. FAO, Rome (http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/003/X6884E/X6884E00.HTM).

Krutovskii, K. V., and D. B. Neale, 2001 Forest genomics for conserving adaptive genetic diversity. Forest Genetic Resources 29: 7-9.

Brunner, A. M., W. H. Rottmann, L. A. Sheppard, K. V. Krutovskii, S. P. DiFazio, S. Leonardi, H. D. Bradshaw and S. H. Strauss, 2000 Structure and expression of duplicate AGAMOUS orthologs in poplar. Plant Molecular Biology 44(5): 619-634.

Sheppard, L. A., A. M. Brunner, K. V. Krutovskii, W. H. Rottmann, J. S. Skinner, S. S. Vollmer and S. H. Strauss, 2000 A DEFICIENS homolog from the dioecious tree Populus trichocarpa is expressed in both female and male floral meristems of its two-whorled, unisexual flowers. Plant Physiology 124: 627-640.

Krutovskii, K. V., S. Yu. Erofeeva, J. E. Aagaard and S. H. Strauss, 1999 Simulation of effects of dominance on estimates of population genetic diversity and differentiation. J. Heredity 90(4): 499-502.

Wu, J., K. V. Krutovskii and S. H. Strauss, 1999 Nuclear DNA diversity, population differentiation, and phylogenetic relationships in the California closed-cone pines based on RAPD and allozyme markers. Genome 42(5): 893-908.

Politov, D. V., M. M. Belokon, O. P. Maluchenko, Yu. S. Belokon, V. N. Molozhnikov, L. E. Mejnartowicz and K. V. Krutovskii, 1999 Genetic evidence of natural hybridization between Siberian stone pine, Pinus sibirica Du Tour, and Dwarf Siberian pine, P. pumila (Pall.) Regel. Forest Genetics 6(1): 41-48.

Wu, J., K. V. Krutovskii and S. H. Strauss, 1998 Abundant mitochondrial genome diversity, population differentiation, and convergent evolution in pines. Genetics 150: 1605-1614.

Aagaard, J. E., K. V. Krutovskii and S. H. Strauss, 1998 RAPDs and allozymes exhibit similar levels of diversity and differentiation among populations and races of Douglas-fir. Heredity 81(1): 69-78.

Aagaard, J. E., K. V. Krutovskii and S. H. Strauss, 1998 RAPD markers of mitochondrial origin exhibit lower population diversity and higher differentiation than RAPDs of nuclear origin in Douglas-fir. Molecular Ecology 7(7): 801-812.

Krutovskii K. V., S. S. Vollmer, F. C. Sorensen, W. Th. Adams, S. J. Knapp, and S. H. Strauss 1998 RAPD genome maps of Douglas-fir. J. Heredity 89: 197-205.

Belokon, Yu. S., D. V. Politov, M. M. Belokon, K. V. Krutovskii, O. M. Maluchenko and Yu. P. Altukhov, 1998 Genetic differentiation in white pines of the Section Strobus: isozyme analysis data. Proceedings of Russian Academy of Sciences, Biological Sciences 358: 81-84.

Krutovskii, K. V., S. S. Vollmer, F. C. Sorensen, W. Th. Adams and S. H. Strauss, 1997 Effects of megagametophyte removal on DNA yield and early seedling growth in coastal Douglas-fir. Can. J. For. Res. 27(6): 964–968.

Hipkins, V. D., K. V. Krutovskii and S. H. Strauss, 1995 Organelle genomes in conifers: structure, evolution, and diversity. Forest Genetics 1(4): 179-189.

Krutovskii, K. V. and F. Bergmann, 1995 Introgressive hybridization and phylogenetic relationships between Norway, Picea abies (L.) Karst., and Siberian, P. obovata Ledeb., spruce species studied by isozyme loci. Heredity 74: 464-480.

Krutovskii, K. V. and D. V. Politov, 1995 Allozyme evidence for polyzygotic polyembryony in Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour). Theor. Appl. Genet. 90: 811-818.

Proceedings
Politov, D. V., and K. V. Krutovsky, 2004 Phylogenetics, genogeography and hybridization of five-needle pines in Russia and neighboring countries. Pages 85-97 in: R. Sniezko, S. Samman, S. Schlarbaum, and H. Kriebel, eds. Breeding and genetic resources of five-needle pines: growth, adaptability, and pest resistance; 2001 July 24–25; Medford, OR, USA. IUFRO Working Party 2.02.15. Proceedings RMRS-P-32. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station (http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_p032.html).

Bruederle, L. P., D. L. Rogers, K. V. Krutovskii and D. V. Politov 2001. Population Genetics and Evolutionary Implications. Pages 137-153 in: D. F. Tomback, S. F. Arno, and R. E. Keane, editors. Whitebark pine communities: ecology and restoration. Island Press, Washington, D.C.

Krutovskii, K. V., D. V. Politov and Yu. P. Altukhov, 1995 Isozyme study of population genetic structure, mating system and phylogenetic relationships of the five stone pine species (subsection Cembrae, section Strobi, subgenus Strobus). In Population Genetics and Genetic Conservation of Forest Trees (Baradat, Ph., Adams, W. T. and Mller-Starck, G., Eds). Proceedings of the International Symposium, Carcans Maubuisson, France, 24-28 August 1992. SPB Academic Publishing, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, pp. 279-304.

Krutovskii, K. V., D. V. Politov and Yu. P. Altukhov, 1994 Study of genetic differentiation and phylogeny of stone pine species using isozyme loci. In Proceedings - International Workshop on Subalpine Stone Pines and Their Environment: the Status of Our Knowledge (W. C. Schmidt and F.-K. Holtmeier, Comps.), St. Moritz, Switzerland, Sept. 5-12, 1992. USDA Forest Serv. Intermountain Res. Station Gener. Techn. Rep. INT-GTR-309, pp. 19 30.

Politov, D. V., and K. V. Krutovskii, 1994 Allozyme polymorphism, heterozygosity, and mating system of stone pines (Pinus, subsection Cembrae). In Proceedings International Workshop on Subalpine Stone Pines and Their Environment: the Status of Our Knowledge (W. C. Schmidt and F.-K. Holtmeier, Comps.), St. Moritz, Switzerland, Sept. 5-12, 1992. USDA Forest Serv. Intermountain Res. Station Gener. Techn. Rep. INT-GTR-309, pp. 36-42.

Presentations and abstracts
Krutovsky, K. V., B. Pande, K. D. Jermstad, G. T. Howe, J. B. St. Clair, N. C. Wheeler and D. B. Neale, 2005 Nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium in adaptive trait related candidate genes in Douglas-fir. In: Plant & Animal Genome XIII. The International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research, Final Program and Abstracts Guide, p. 28, January 15-19, 2005. San Diego, CA, USA (http://www.intl-pag.org/13/abstracts/PAG13_W110.html)

Krutovsky, K. V., M. Matvienko, A. Kozik and D. B. Neale, 2005 Identification of candidate genes for Conserved Ortholog Set in conifers (Poster #517). In: Plant & Animal Genome XIII. The International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research, Final Program and Abstracts Guide, p. 200, January 15-19, 2005. San Diego, CA, USA (http://www.intl-pag.org/13/abstracts/PAG13_P517.html)

Krutovsky, K. V., K. D. Jermstad, G. T. Howe, J. B. St. Clair, N. C. Wheeler and D. B. Neale, 2004 Population genomics of adaptive traits in Douglas-fir: Nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium in cold-hardiness related candidate genes. The International Union of Forest Genetics Research Organizations conference Genomics, Population, Evolution and Ecological Genetics. Asilomar Conference Grounds, California, USA, September 13–17, 2004 (http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/asilomar/Program.pdf)

Tani, N., T. Ujino-Ihara, T. Kado, G. Brown, K. Krutovsky, D. Neale and Y. Tsumura, 2004 Gene genealogical study throughout coniferous species using EST primers amplifying both sugi and loblolly pine. The International Union of Forest Genetics Research Organizations conference Genomics, Population, Evolution and Ecological Genetics. Asilomar Conference Grounds, California, USA, September 13–17, 2004 (http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/asilomar/Program.pdf)

Wheeler, N. C., K. D. Jermstad, K. V. Krutovsky, S. N. Aitken, G. T. Howe, J. Krakowski and D. B. Neale, 2004 Mapping of quantitative trait loci controlling adaptive traits in coastal Douglas-fir: cold-hardiness QTL verification and candidate gene mapping. The International Union of Forest Genetics Research Organizations conference Genomics, Population, Evolution and Ecological Genetics. Asilomar Conference Grounds, California, USA, September 13–17, 2004 (http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/asilomar/Program.pdf)

Jermstad, K., L. Sheppard, E. Ersoz, K. Krutovsky and D. Neale, 2004 Cloning-by-homology of a CC-NBS-LRR resistance-like gene in sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana). The International Union of Forest Genetics Research Organizations conference Genomics, Population, Evolution and Ecological Genetics. Asilomar Conference Grounds, California, USA, September 13–17, 2004 (http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/asilomar/Program.pdf)

Krutovskii, K. V., K. D. Jermstad, N. C. Wheeler, G. T. Howe, J. B. St. Clair and D. B. Neale, 2004 Gene discovery for adaptive traits in Douglas-fir. In: Plant & Animal Genome XII. The International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research, Final Program and Abstracts Guide, p. 26, January 10-14, 2004. San Diego, CA, USA (http://www.intl-pag.org/12/abstracts/W22_PAG12_83.html)

Krutovskii, K. V., K. D. Jermstad, N. C. Wheeler, G. T. Howe, J. B. St. Clair and D. B. Neale, 2004 Gene discovery for adaptive traits and candidate gene variation in Douglas fir (Poster #622).. In: Plant & Animal Genome XII. The International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research, Final Program and Abstracts Guide, p. 226, January 10-14, 2004. San Diego, CA, USA (http://www.intl-pag.org/12/abstracts/P5i_PAG12_622.html)

Neale, D. B. and K. V. Krutovskii, 2003 Genetic dissection of adaptive traits in forest trees. Western Forest Genetics Association 2003 Conference: Genomics and Adaptation, July 28 – 31, 2003, Whistler, BC, Canada (http://www.genetics.forestry.ubc.ca/wfga2003/abstracts.pdf)

Jermstad, K., N. Wheeler, G. Howe, S. Aitken, K. Krutovskii and D. Neale, 2003 Gene discovery for adaptive traits in Douglas-fir. Western Forest Genetics Association 2003 Conference: Genomics and Adaptation, July 28 – 31, 2003, Whistler, BC, Canada (http://www.genetics.forestry.ubc.ca/wfga2003/abstracts.pdf)

Gonzalez-Martinez, S. C., K. V. Krutovskii, G. Brown, E. Ersoz, R. Kuntz, G. Gill, K. Jermstad and D. Neale, 2003 Nucleotide diversity in conifers. Evolution 2003, Joint Meeting of the Society for the Study of Evolution, Society of Systematic Biologists, and American Society of Naturalists, June 20-24, 2003, California State University, Chico, CA.

Gonzalez-Martinez, S. C., K. V. Krutovskii, G. Brown, E. Ersoz, R. Kuntz, G. Gill, K. Jermstad and D. Neale, 2003 Diversidad genetica basada en secuencias de genes candidatos en coniferas. Centro de Investigacion Forestal (CIFOR), INIA, Madrid, Spain.

Krutovskii, K. V., 2003 Comparative genomics in conifers. Presentation at the seminar of the Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of California, Davis, June 2, 2003

Krutovskii, K. V., and D. B. Neale, 2003 Comparative analysis and visualization of EST data in forest trees. Invited presentation at the Allometra Workshop. In Plant & Animal Genome XI. The International Conference on the Status of Plant Genome Research, Final Program and Exhibit Guide, p. 33, January 11-15, 2003, San Diego, CA (http://www.intl-pag.org/11/11-allo.html)

Krutovskii, K. V., M. Troggio, G. R. Brown, K. D. Jermstad and D. B. Neale, 2003 Comparative mapping between Douglas-fir and Loblolly pine using EST markers (Poster #562). In Plant and Animal Genome XI. The International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research, Final Program and Abstracts Guide, p. 215, January 11-15, 2003, San Diego, CA (http://www.intl-pag.org/pag/11/abstracts/P5i_P562_XI.html)

Krutovskii, K. V., M. Troggio, G. R. Brown, K. D. Jermstad and D. B. Neale, 2003 Comparative mapping in conifers using EST markers. Invited presentation at the Forest Tree Genome Mapping Workshop. In Plant & Animal Genome XI. The International Conference on the Status of Plant Genome Research, Final Program and Abstracts Guide, p. 33 (W139), January 11-15, 2003, San Diego, CA (http://www.intl-pag.org/pag/11/abstracts/W22_W139_XI.html)

Krutovskii, K. V., M. Troggio, G. R. Brown, K. D. Jermstad, S. C. Gonzalez-Martinez and D. B. Neale, 2002 EST markers and comparative mapping. Invited presentation at the Forest Tree Genome Mapping Workshop. In Plant & Animal Genome X. The International Conference on the Status of Plant Genome Research, Final Program and Abstracts Guide, p. 38 (W119), January 12-16, 2002, San Diego, CA (http://www.intl-pag.org/pag/10/abstracts/PAGX_W119.html).

Krutovskii, K. V., M. Troggio, G. R. Brown, K. D. Jermstad, S. C. Gonzalez-Martinez and D. B. Neale, 2002 Comparative mapping across different conifer genera: myth or reality? Douglas-fir - Loblolly pine case (Poster #564). In Plant and Animal Genome X. The International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research, Final Program and Abstracts Guide, p. 219, January 12-16, 2002, San Diego, CA (http://www.intl-pag.org/pag/10/abstracts/PAGX_P564.html)

Troggio, M., G. R. Brown, D. Chagne, I. Scotti, C. Plomion, G. Jansson, S. C. Gonzalez-Martinez, K. V. Krutovskii, P. Menozzi and D. B. Neale, 2002 Comparative mapping in Norway spruce and Loblolly pine (Poster #552). In Plant and Animal Genome X. The International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research, Final Program and Abstracts Guide, p. 216, January 12-16, 2002, San Diego, CA (http://www.intl-pag.org/pag/10/abstracts/PAGX_P552.html)

Krutovskii, K. V., M. Troggio, G. R. Brown, K. D. Jermstad, S. C. Gonzalez-Martinez and D. B. Neale, 2001 Comparative mapping across three conifer genera. The Western Forest Genetics Association (WFGA) Conference, July 30 – August 2, 2001. Davis, California (http://dendrome.ucdavis.edu/ifg/WFGA/wkshop_1.htm#Workshops).

Mohamed, R., K. V. Krutovskii and S. H. Strauss, 2001 Development of disease resistance gene analog (RGA) DNA markers in Poplar. IUFRO Working Party on Molecular Biology of Forest Trees, S2.04.06, Tree Biotechnology: The Next Millennium. Skamania Lodge, Oregon, USA, July 22-27, 2001 (http://www.fsl.orst.edu/tgerc/iufro2001/poster_abstracts.pdf).

Politov, D. V., and K. V. Krutovskii, 2001 Phylogeny, population genetics and hybridization of five-needle pines in Russia. Breeding and Genetic Resources of Five-Needle Pines: Growth, Adaptability and Pest Resistance. An International Conference in Southwestern Oregon, July 24-27, 2001. Organized by Working Party 2.02.15 Breeding and Genetic Resources of Five-Needle Pines, International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) (http://iufro.boku.ac.at/iufro/iufronet/d2/wu20215/agenda.htm)

Neale, D. B., G. R. Brown, K. V. Krutovskii and M. M. Sewell, 2001 Comparative QTL Mapping in Conifers. Wood, Breeding, Biotechnology and industrial expectation conference (WBB), p. 109 in Proceedings of a joint meeting of EU funded projects related to genetics of wood properties and forestry biotechnology, 9th Conifer Biotechnology Working Group (CBWG), and IUFRO Working Parties Natural variations in wood quality (5.01.02) and Genetics (2.04.00), June 10-14, 2001. Bordeaux, France (http://www.pierroton.inra.fr/WBB/Abstracts/S9o/David_B__Neale.1.htm)

Krutovskii, K. V., 2001 Forest genomics and new molecular genetic approaches to measuring and conserving adaptive genetic diversity in forest trees. Lecture given at the training workshop organized by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), Rome and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management (BMLFUW), in technical collaboration with FAO. The training workshop was held in Gmunden, Austria 30 April to 11 May 2001 (http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/networks/euforgen/training/fullprog.htm).

Krutovskii, K. V., F. C. Sorensen, W. T. Adams and S. H. Strauss, 2001 Comparative QTL mapping in progeny of intervarietal hybrids of Douglas-fir. Invited presentation at the Forest Tree Genome Mapping Workshop. In Plant & Animal Genome IX. The International Conference on the Status of Plant Genome Research, Final Program and Abstracts Guide, p. 30 (W92), January 13-17, 2001, San Diego, CA (http://www.intl-pag.org/pag/9/abstracts/W26_07.html)

Well, J., R. Meyer, K. V. Krutovskii, T. J. White and T. L. Lomax, 2000 Molecular mapping of the lazy-2 gravitropic response gene of tomato. An abstract to the American Society of Gravitational and Space Biology Meeting in Montreal, October, 2000 (http://asgsb.indstate.edu/programs/2000/23.html)

Krutovskii, K. V., W. T. Adams, S. H. Strauss, J. Smith and J. Trobaugh, 2000 Pollen Contamination in Seed Orchards: Efficient and highly polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers - Douglas-fir case study. Invited presentation at the Northwest Seed Orchard Managers Association Meeting, June 26-28, 2000. Corvallis, Oregon.

Krutovskii, K. V., R. R. James, L. S. Bauer and S. H. Strauss, 2000 Genome mapping and QTL analysis of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis in the cottonwood leaf beetle (Chrysomela scripta) using AFLP markers (Poster #458). In Plant and Animal Genome VIII. The International Conference on the Status of Plant and Animal Genome Research, Final Program and Abstracts Guide, p. 166, January 9-12, 2000, San Diego, CA (http://www.intl-pag.org/pag/8/abstracts/pag8774.html).

Adams, W. T., and K. V. Krutovskii, 1999 Pollen contamination study: Efficient and highly polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers in Douglas-fir. The Pacific Northwest Tree Improvement Cooperative Annual Report. August 3, 1999.

Krutovskii, K. V., S. S. Vollmer, F. C. Sorensen, W. T. Adams and S. H. Strauss, 1996 Genome mapping in inter-varietal hybrids of Douglas-fir. Western Forest Genetics Association Meeting, p. 23, Newport, Oregon, July 29-August 1, 1996.

Krutovskii, K. V., S. S. Vollmer, F. C. Sorensen, W. T. Adams and S. H. Strauss, 1996 Comparative genome mapping in inter-varietal hybrids of Douglas-fir using RAPD markers. SRIEG Workshop, Novel Applications of Molecular Markers in Forest Trees, P30, Houston, Texas, June 23-26, 1996.

Krutovskii, K. V., F. C. Sorensen, W. T. Adams, S. S. Vollmer and S. H. Strauss, 1995 Genomic architecture of adaptive traits in Douglas-fir racial hybrids: RAPD and ISSR linkage map (Poster #131). In Plant Genome III. The International Conference on the Status of Plant Genome Research, Final Program and Abstracts Guide, p.55, January 15-19, San Diego, CA (http://www.intl-pag.org/3/abstracts/181pg3.html)

Research Links

• Douglas-Fir Genome Project