Members of the FMG-EPPI research group recently departed on a three-day field trip from 7-9 April 2026 near Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal. The purpose of the field trip was to sample leaf, phloem and xylem tissue for sequencing as part of the species diversity set for genus-level pangenomes. The trip forms part of the DOE's Joint Genome Institute (JGI) Community Science Program (CSP) call awarded in 2022, which plans to sequence ten reference-quality genomes for Eucalypts, including Angophora and Corymbia and a species diversity set for ~20 additional species.

Twelve species were sampled, and a bonus was that we were able to obtain flower tissue for most of these cold-tolerant species. This is of relevance as cold-tolerant species tend to flower much later, and flower tissue is difficult to obtain, which means we now have tissue for 21 diverse Eucalyptus species. The trial is an ICFR species trial, hosted by Mondi, where tree species are being re-evaluated for potential use in future breeding efforts. The aim of this project is to understand woody biomass and defence biology in Eucalypts.

Attending this trip were: Prof. Sanushka Naidoo, Prof. Jim Leebens-Mack, Dr Anneri Lotter, Dr Demissew Teshome and Nadine Kleinhans, along with ICFR staff members, Greg Fuller and Nuveshan Naidoo. We also thank the Improved Seed and Tree Solutions company, who provided the climbing experts, allowing the freshest possible leaf tissue and floral buds to be sampled.