Katrin Burger
Büsgen Institute
University of Göttingen
37077 Göttingen
Germany
E-Mail: katrin.burger@uni-goettingen.de

Career path
10/2013-08/2016 Bachelor of Science in Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology at the Georg-August- University Göttingen
10/2016-01/2019 Master of Science in Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology at the Georg-August- University Göttingen
08/2018-01/2019 Exchange student in the department Forestry and Wood technology at the Linné-University (LNU) in Växjö, Sweden
Since 03/2019 PhD student in the department of Forest Genetics and Forest Tree Breeding, Georg-August-University Göttingen

Publications
Burger K., Müller M. and Gailing O. 2018. Characterization of EST-SSRs for European beech
(Fagus sylvatica L.) and their transferability to Fagus orientalis Lipsky, Castanea dentata Bork., and Quercus rubra L. Silvae genetica 67, 127-132.

Current project
Genetic characterization of yield-increasing traits of Slavonian pedunculate oak (Quercus robur subsp. slavonica) in Germany
The aim of the project is to analyse the genetic basis of the growth rate and shaft quality of the Slavonian pedunculate oak (Quercus robur subsp. slavonica) in Germany using genome-wide genetic mapping. This provides a unique opportunity to detect the molecular basis of high growth rate and stem quality (e.g. straightness and small size of branches) in a crossing progeny between Quercus robur subsp. robur and Q. robur subsp. slavonica. This progeny was established in 2003 at the Department of Forest Genetics and Forest Plant Breeding in a field test. In addition, the frequency of hybridization between indigenous and Slavonian oak in natural populations is determined. Based on this study, recommendations will be given on the cultivation of Slavonian pedunculated oak in Germany and on the possible transfer of characteristics by hybridisation with indigenous pedunculate oak. For this purpose, a high-resolution genetic map of the cross-breeding progeny (300 full siblings) will be established using "Next-Generation-Sequencing". Characteristics associated with growth rate (shaft length, diameter, bud burst, leaf dropping, water use efficiency, stomatal density) and stem quality (shaft shape, knottiness) will be determined as well as hybrids between indigenous and Slavonian pedunculate oak in natural populations.