Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. (2n = 34), native to China and of a monotypic family and genus, is a multipurpose tree species with high economic, ecological, and social benefits. In this study, an F₁ population of 109 progenies and tow parents were used to construct the first high-density genetic map of E. ulmoides via genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) with single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. A total of 191,095 SNPs were obtained, among which the available markers in F₁ population were types “hkxhk,” “nnxnp,” and “lmxll” and the three polymorphic markers 35,699, 65,800, and 68,022, respectively. Finally, the map comprised 10,103 SNP markers distributed on 17 linkage groups (LGs) that were consisted with the chromosome haploid number in E. ulmoides (n = 17). The interval genetic map covered 90% of the E. ulmoides genomes, with total genetic distance of 4051.11 cM and average distance between markers of 0.45 cM. The length of LGs varied from 70.42 to 495.49 cM, with the mean size of 238.3 cM. On the other hand, 44 QTLs associated with growth traits were detected on LG02, LG06, LG07, LG08, and LG10, with phenotypical variance ranging from 10.0% to 14.2%. A total of 33 candidate genes were identified, and most of them were related to energy storage, signal transmission, hormones, and metabolic pathways. This study could provide a solid foundation for chromosome assembly and refinement, and the localization of growth-trait QTLs will advance the investigation of forestry breeding efforts in E. ulmoides.

The escalating greenhouse gas emissions drive climate change, posing significant threats to global ecosystems and human societies. This article presents the molecular mechanisms and functions of chloroplasts, emphasizing their pivotal role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing photosynthetic efficiency. A comprehensive examination of the biochemical processes occurring within chloroplasts, pigment function, and molecular regulation in challenging environmental conditions is provided. In particular, the research explores the potential of carboxysomes with minimal genetic footprints for C3 chloroplast transformation, highlighting their promise in improving photosynthetic efficiency in plants. Various strategies for regulating CO₂ and CH₄ emissions are explored. It was found that innovative biological fixation and CO₂ capture methodologies have the potential to reduce atmospheric CO₂ levels significantly. This encompasses afforestation/reforestation (AR) as well as methane conversion within natural and engineered systems. The examination involves the optimization of CO₂ and CH₄ absorption and conversion through physiological and molecular restructuring of the chloroplast, showcasing potential enhancements in photosynthetic efficiency and crop yields. Additionally, the study explores the design and implementation of artificial chloroplasts, focusing on the efficacy of light reactions in water splitting and electron transfer processes. Overall, this review contributes to the expanding knowledge of greenhouse gas regulation and photosynthesis optimization. By integrating insights from molecular biology, synthetic biology, and environmental science, innovative approaches to tackling global climate challenges are proposed, with potential implications for sustainable energy production, agricultural productivity, and environmental stewardship.