Profile

Certified 23 improved Eucommia varieties and established a high-density SNP genetic map of Eucommia.

Story

Wang Lu, female, born in May 1983, holds a PhD in forest tree genetics and breeding. A research professor and master's supervisor, she is currently chief expert of the Eucommia team at the Research Institute of Non-timber Forestry, Chinese Academy of Forestry, and a leading figure of the new generation in Eucommia breeding. Her work focuses on Eucommia breeding, cultivation and comprehensive utilization. She established a high-density SNP genetic map of Eucommia progeny and systematically studied the molecular mechanisms of fatty acid synthesis and efficient accumulation in Eucommia kernels, advancing Eucommia breeding from empirical selection toward molecular design.

She has led or participated in more than 10 projects, including 13th Five-Year National Key R&D Program topics and National Natural Science Foundation of China grants; certified 23 improved Eucommia varieties (6 nationally certified); obtained 13 plant variety rights; and co-bred the new Eucommia cultivar 'Huazhong 23'. The national and forestry industry standards for Eucommia that she helped formulate provide technical support for the standardized production of improved Eucommia nursery stock nationwide and for upgrading the quality and efficiency of the Eucommia industry. She has received the 4th China Forestry Industry Innovation Award and the Second Prize of the Henan Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award.

Milestones

• From April 2018, spent 185 days as a visiting scholar at the Umeå Plant Science Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
• In 2022, improved Eucommia varieties including 'Huazhong 16' and 'Huazhong 22' passed certification by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and were listed in the catalogue of improved tree varieties
• Participated in drafting LY/T 3005.1-2018 'Eucommia ulmoides - Part 1: Technical regulations for improved variety breeding' and GB/T 24305-2022 'Quality grades of Eucommia products'

Key Contributions

• Certified 23 improved Eucommia varieties, including 6 nationally certified, and obtained 13 plant variety rights
• Established a high-density SNP genetic map of Eucommia progeny and systematically elucidated the molecular mechanisms of fatty acid synthesis and efficient accumulation in Eucommia kernels
• Led or participated in more than 10 projects, including 13th Five-Year National Key R&D Program topics and National Natural Science Foundation of China grants
• Formulated 1 national standard and 9 industry standards; obtained 2 international invention patents and 3 national invention patents
• Bred as first completer improved varieties and new cultivars such as 'Huazhong 15', 'Huazhong 16' and 'Huazhong 21'