Understanding an emerging health threat to Caledonian Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
This project aims to utilise existing Scottish resources to fill in key evidence gaps so that threats to Caledonian Scots pine can be better understood, and potential mitigating measures identified. PHC2022/07 was proposed due to unusual disease symptoms on Caledonian Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) located in the Aviemore area of Scotland having recently been investigated by the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service of Forest Research.
This project will carry out a targeted survey of Caledonian pine in Scotland to assess extent and incidence of symptoms and to collect samples; compare and identify to species level isolates of potential causal agents collected from native Scots pine and determine their phylogenetic placement and genetic diversity; develop an effective inoculation method through studies of the infection process on needles and woody tissues of Scots pine, and; determine the pathogenicity of the causal agent(s) on Scottish provenances of Scots pine.
This project was selected for funding from the Project Call: “Enhancing preparedness against pests and diseases: plugging evidence gaps for Scotland”.
This project will carry out a targeted survey of Caledonian pine in Scotland to assess extent and incidence of symptoms and to collect samples; compare and identify to species level isolates of potential causal agents collected from native Scots pine and determine their phylogenetic placement and genetic diversity; develop an effective inoculation method through studies of the infection process on needles and woody tissues of Scots pine, and; determine the pathogenicity of the causal agent(s) on Scottish provenances of Scots pine.
This project was selected for funding from the Project Call: “Enhancing preparedness against pests and diseases: plugging evidence gaps for Scotland”.
Understanding a new health threat to Caledonian Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris)
March 2024
This project was initiated in response to a new health threat to Scots pine manifesting itself in the form of multiple blackened cankers and dieback of shoots and branches, particularly in the lower crown. Scots pine is regarded as iconic in Scotland for a range of ecological, cultural and economic reasons. Therefore, it is a research priority to gain an understanding of the extent and causes of the canker disease for better protection of this species in the future.