Genetic variation in dieback resistance: growth and survival of Fraxinus excelsior under the influence of Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
The invasive fungal pathogen, Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus V. Queloz, has decimated stands of Fraxinus excelsior
L. over most of the species' natural distribution area. We assessed
crown damage from 2009 to 2014 (at ages 8, 11 and 13) in 43
open-pollinated ash families planted in north-eastern Zealand, Denmark,
and confirmed the presence of substantial genetic variation in ash
dieback susceptibility. The average crown damage increased in the trial
from 61% in 2009 to 66% in 2012 and 72% in 2014, while the estimated
heritability was 0.42 in both 2009 and 2012 but increased to 0.53 in
2014. Genetic correlation between assessments was 0.88 between 2009 and
2012 and 0.91 between 2009 and 2014, suggesting fairly good
possibilities for early selection of superior genotypes in the presence
of high infection levels in the trial. The level of crown damage had
strong negative effect on growth and survival. Only 34% of the trees
with high levels of damage in 2009 were still alive in 2014, emphasising
that high susceptibility is associated with low fitness.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 6 |
Pages (from-to) | 519-526 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISSN | 0282-7581 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
ID: 124448913