Application of molecular genetic tools to studies of forest pathosystems [Chapter 2]

Abstract

The use of molecular genetics in forest pathology has greatly increased over the past 10 years. For the most part, molecular genetic tools were initially developed to focus on individual components (e.g., pathogen, host) of forest pathosystems. As part of broader forest ecosystem complexes, forest pathosystems involve dynamic interactions among living components (e.g., pathogens, hosts, antagonists, hyperparasites, endophytes, epiphytes, symbionts, etc.), as well as responses to their surrounding biophysical environments. These biotic and abiotic components shape and influence overall pathosystem functions through effects at the molecular level (e.g., genetic selection, gene expression, gene flow, etc.). By exploiting molecular tools and by broadening our studies of forest pathosystems to its various components, our understanding of forest pathosystems will be improved.

Citation

Kim, Mee-Sook; Klopfenstein, Ned B.; Hamelin, Richard C. 2005. Application of molecular genetic tools to studies of forest pathosystems [Chapter 2]. In: Lundquist, J. E.; Hamelin, R. C., eds. Forest Pathology - From Molecules to Landscapes. St. Paul, MN: American Phytopathological Society Press. p. 9-20.