Professor Robert Blanchette

CFANS Plant Pathology
College of Food, Ag & Nat Res Sci
Twin Cities
Project Title: 
Fungal Diversity Related to Emerald Ash Borer Galleries and Biosurveillance of Forest Pathogens

The invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has decimated ash trees in North America. Little is known about fungi that are associated with this insect and wounds (galleries) that form from larval feeding under the bark. Culture-based studies show a diverse group of canker causing, decay, and entomopathogenic fungi. These researchers are using a metabarcoding approach to more fully describe fungal diversity in EAB infested and healthy ash trees. 

In addition, metabarcoding will be used on air samples collected from across the state of Minnesota in surveys to detect the invasive forest pathogen Heterobasidion irregulare, which causes an aggressive root rot.

Project Investigators

Professor Robert Blanchette
Trevor Gould
Benjamin Held
Mistiha Jayaraj
Andrew Mann
Eric Otto
Lynn Risser
Associate Professor Christine Salomon
 
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