WITH THE ULTIMATE LANDSCAPING RESOURCE

MTGF Funding-

(C0ntinued from Page 7) wilt). Many of the selections in this trial are also duplicated in a second block that will be inoculated in 2024, which we are hoping to have several selections to move forward for use.

Propagations from new selections in addition to those showing putative resistance will continue in 2023. Selections that have survived previous inoculations will be propagated for a future study with additional replicates. These selections exhibited symptoms but were able to effectively wall off the pathogen and survive one year from inoculation. Studies and refinement of propagation methods will also continue through the spring and summer of 2023.

In an effort to elucidate resistance mechanisms in american elm to DED. A qPCR assay has been developed in order to track pathogen movement in inoculated trees. A small amount of tree tissue is collected by drilling a small hole in the tree from which DNA can be extracted. Extracted DNA is then used in a real time PCR instrument with a probe/primer set that is specific to the DED pathogen Ophiostoma novoulmi and can quantify the amount of DNA compared to standards. The hypothesis is that resistant trees will have less and lower quantities of the pathogen in restricted areas of the tree due to compartmentalization. The opposite would be expected for susceptible trees; higher quantities of the pathogen throughout the tree. We are currently working with samples taken from the commercially resistant selections that were inoculated in 2020 to assess the state of the pathogen in known resistant trees. Moving forward we hope to use this to better evaluate resistance.

In addition to identifying and screening Minnesota native elms for resistance to DED, we have a number of non-native elm selections in our collection which show strong resistance to the pathogen. Support from MTGF allows research into the use of non-native elm species in MN. In addition to our campus nursery in St. Paul, we also have an elm plot located at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. This plot provides a location to trial these nonnative elm varieties. We plan to continue maintaining and planting this plot with a diverse set of elms in 2023.

Funding from the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation will go towards:

+ Tree climbing equipment (new equipment & existing equipment depreciation)

+ Travel expenses (vehicle rental and personal mileage to visit schools and other event locations)

+ UFOR Nursery equipment purchase & rental, plot fees, and plant material

+ Personnel salaries for Undergraduate Research & Outreach staff (UFOR)

+ Field plot, greenhouse, and growth chamber rental and maintenance fees (elm)

+ Personnel – salaries for Research Technicians and Undergraduate Research Assistants (elm)

+ Research equipment & supplies (lab, inoculation prep, molecular supplies, and propagation supplies) (elm)