Breeding for resistance in Norway spruce to the root and butt rot fungi Heterobasidion spp

G. Swedjemark; A.K. Borg-Karlson; B. Karlsson

Treesearch

Breeding for resistance in Norway spruce to the root and butt rot fungi Heterobasidion spp

Informally Refereed

Authors:

G. Swedjemark, A.K. Borg-Karlson, B. Karlsson

Year:

2012

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

Source:

In: Sniezko, Richard A.; Yanchuk, Alvin D.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M.; Alexander, Janice M.; Frankel, Susan J., tech. coords. Proceedings of the fourth international workshop on the genetics of host-parasite interactions in forestry: Disease and insect resistance in forest trees. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-240. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. pp. 162-166

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Abstract

Results from previous studies of resistance in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) to the pathogens Heterobasidion spp. show significant genotypic variation in fungal growth and spore susceptibility among Norway spruce clones. The genetic variation and the heritability are large enough for practical breeding purposes and there is no adverse correlation between Heterobasidion infection and growth traits. There is an economic incentive to use plant materials which are more resistant than those used in reforestation today. Recent research on developing the methods for testing resistance in plant material have demonstrated that we need to identify new markers and early traits for screening young material before we can include resistance to the pathogen in existing breeding programs. In an ongoing project we are analyzing the differences in the chemical defense and the transcriptome of Heterobasidion spp.-infected P. abies clones with different susceptibility to Heterobasidion spp. infection. Preliminary results show that the quantity of certain substances involved in defense mechanisms is specific for resistant clones. For example, astringin may be a constitutive chemical marker for resistance.

Parent Publication

Proceedings of the fourth international workshop on the genetics of host-parasite interactions in forestry: Disease and insect resistance in forest trees

Keywords

Heterobasidion spp, Norway spruce, Picea abies, resistance breeding

Citation

Swedjemark, G.; Borg-Karlson, A.K.; Karlsson, B. 2012. Breeding for resistance in Norway spruce to the root and butt rot fungi Heterobasidion spp. In: Sniezko, Richard A.; Yanchuk, Alvin D.; Kliejunas, John T.; Palmieri, Katharine M.; Alexander, Janice M.; Frankel, Susan J., tech. coords. Proceedings of the fourth international workshop on the genetics of host-parasite interactions in forestry: Disease and insect resistance in forest trees. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-240. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. pp. 162-166.