Combating global climate change and securing sufficient energy supplies are now major topics in which plant research has a centrally important role. The exciting promise of bioenergy crops was revealed by Angela Karp (Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK). She described progress in improving Salix (willow) for bioenergy production. DNA-based technologies promise to dramatically reduce the long breeding cycle of this dioecious genus (one in which there are separate male and female trees). Markers associated with useful traits such as branching, stem diameter and beetle resistance have already been identified, and excellent progress in yield improvements on marginal land has been made during the first rounds of breeding.