The current dramatic increase in DNBdamage to pines in the northern hemisphere may be due to climate change and / or forest management driving evolution of a more virulent form the pathogen. The experiment will use DNA sequencing to compare DNB populations in managed and unmanaged forest to see if human activity like fungicide use or planting of non-native trees has accelerated evolution of the pathogen.
Researchers involved:
Prof Richard Ennos (Edinburgh University): rennos@ed.ac.uk
Marta Piotrowska (Scotland's Rural College - SRUC): Marta.Piotrowska@sruc.ac.uk
Carolyn Riddell (University of Edinburgh): carolynriddell@gmail.com
Peter Hoebe (Scotland's Rural College - SRUC): Peter.Hoebe@sruc.ac.uk