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Can modern genetics help us restore the Appalachian forests of the 1800s?
- A new study out Thursday in the journal Science found genetic testing can reveal which American chestnut trees resist disease and grow tall, and the team identified about 25,000 to 30,000 genes from American and Chinese chestnuts.
- By the 1950s the American chestnut was driven functionally extinct by blight and root rot, and Lovell says introducing genetic diversity beyond surviving trees is necessary to avoid bottlenecks.
- Using quantitative trait locus mapping and genome-wide association studies, the researchers linked 17 genetic differences to about a quarter of heritable resistance and found QTL sites boosted resistance by about 10 points.
- Authors plan to use genomic predictions to select hybrid seedlings for planting in test orchards, aiming for tall, resilient American chestnuts in coming decades, as they are optimistic.
- Researchers propose three complementary pathways to restoration, with Jared Westbrook saying selecting resistant American trees, breeding Chinese-derived hybrids, and directed breeding and gene editing together can revive the American chestnut.
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Associated Press News+11 Reposted by 11 other sources
Scientists say genetic analysis could greatly speed restoration of iconic American chestnut
A new study says genetic testing can speed the return of the American chestnut tree that once dominated Eastern U.S. forests.
·United States
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Genomics Paves the Way for Quicker Restoration of the American Chestnut
The American chestnut tree, once an integral part of eastern North America’s forest ecosystems, is rising from the brink of extinction thanks to groundbreaking genomic research. For over a century, this majestic tree has been ravaged by the invasive chestnut blight, caused by the pathogenic fungus Cryphonectria parasitica. This infection led to the death of […]
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Total News Sources15
Leaning Left5Leaning Right2Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Left
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Left
46% Left
L 46%
C 36%
R 18%
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