Research Topic: Forest pathology

Development of a molecular genetics and cell biology toolbox for the filamentous fungus Diplodia sapinea

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Scientists have developed new tools to study a fungus called Diplodia sapinea that damages pine trees around the world. They created a method to genetically modify this fungus and tag its cell nuclei with a red fluorescent marker so they can track the infection process. They also developed a simple way to test infections using young pine seedlings in the laboratory instead of large greenhouse setups. Using these new tools together, researchers can now watch in real-time how the fungus grows inside infected pine plants, which will help develop better ways to protect forests.

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Thermotolerance and post-fire growth in Rhizina undulata is associated with the expansion of heat stress-related protein families

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Scientists sequenced the genome of a fungus called Rhizina undulata that uniquely depends on fire to activate its growth and infect conifer trees. By comparing this fungus to related species, they discovered it has extra copies of genes that produce special proteins for handling heat stress and dealing with the chemical changes that occur after fires. This finding helps explain how the fungus survives extreme heat and thrives in fire-damaged forests, which is important knowledge for forest management.

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Integrated genome and transcriptome analysis reveals pathogenic mechanisms of Calonectria eucalypti in Eucalyptus leaf blight

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This research examines a dangerous fungus called Calonectria eucalypti that destroys eucalyptus trees worldwide. Scientists sequenced the fungus’s complete genetic code and tracked which genes turn on during infection, discovering that the pathogen uses different sets of genes at different stages of infection. By identifying key virulence genes and understanding how the fungus attacks plant cells, this research provides a foundation for developing better ways to prevent and manage eucalyptus leaf blight disease.

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Controlled inoculation provides insight into western redcedar resistance to multiple root- and butt-rot pathogens

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Western redcedar is an economically important tree species suffering from fungal diseases that cause wood decay and significant financial losses. Researchers developed controlled methods to test how resistant young redcedar trees are to eight different decay fungi, finding that some fungi are much more damaging than others. Importantly, they discovered that some infections remain hidden without visible symptoms but still harm tree growth, and these hidden infections can be detected using advanced DNA-based methods. This research will help forest managers and breeders develop redcedar varieties with better disease resistance.

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