Developing Disease Resistance to Non-native Pathogens: Status of Programs for Oregon and Washington
Non-native, invasive pathogens continue to take large tolls on our native trees species and their associated ecosystems. In many cases, disease resistance programs that utilize the low frequency of natural genetic resistance present in our tree species offer the best opportunity to counter the invading pathogens. The Pacific Northwest Region (Region 6) of the USDA Forest Service encompasses both Oregon and Washington and currently has operational programs to develop resistance to two non-native, invasive pathogens. The programs are based at the regional forest genetics facility, Dorena Genetic Resource Center, in Cottage Grove, Oregon. The program to develop genetic resistance to white pine blister rust (caused by the pathogen Cronartium ribicola) in native white pines has been active for 50 years. The program to develop Phytophthora lateralis resistance in Port-Orford-cedar (POC) has been in the operational phase for just over a decade.
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Author(s): Angelia Kegley, Richard Sniezko
Publication: Tree Improvement and Genetics - Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference - 2007