Source: UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND submitted to
RESEARCHING AND DEVELOPING ADELGID-RESISTANT EASTERN HEMLOCKS (TSUGA CANADENSIS) AS A NURSERY CROP
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0229569
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
RI00HI-4004
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2012
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2015
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Preisser, E.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
19 WOODWARD HALL 9 EAST ALUMNI AVENUE
KINGSTON,RI 02881
Performing Department
Biological Sciences
Non Technical Summary
The hemlock woolly adelgid is an invasive pest that is killing eastern hemlocks. We have found adelgid-resistant eastern hemlocks that can be used to replant both managed and natural landscapes. Our proposal contains both research and extension efforts aimed at determining why they are resistant, increasing the number of adelgid-resistant hemlocks in cultivation, and introducing these trees to the nursery trade.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
40%
Developmental
40%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1230610107050%
1232110107010%
1233110107010%
2110610107010%
2112110107010%
2113110107010%
Knowledge Area
123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources; 211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
0610 - Conifer forests of the North; 2110 - Ornamental trees and shrubs; 3110 - Insects;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;
Goals / Objectives
We propose a joint research/extension program aimed at researching and developing adelgid-resistant eastern hemlocks (Tsuga canadensis) as a nursery crop. We have already propagated and grown cuttings of potentially-resistant hemlocks, along with cuttings from HWA-susceptible 'control' trees, and demonstrated HWA resistance in two large-scale experiments that tested both rooted and grafted cuttings. This research has led to us documenting HWA resistance in a number of naturally-occurring eastern hemlocks; the current proposal seeks to build on this success through a mix of research and extension activities. Objective 1 (research/extension): Refine methods for hemlock propagation and grow-out. Objective 2 (extension): Develop university-industry partnerships to introduce and distribute HWA-resistant hemlocks in the nursery trade for managed and natural landscapes. Objective 3 (research): Determine mechanism(s) of HWA resistance in existing plants. Objective 4 (research/extension): Work with stakeholders to locate, propagate, and experimentally evaluate other potentially HWA-resistant hemlocks under controlled conditions.
Project Methods
Objective 1: While nurseries will ultimately take over the job of producing plants and perfecting grow-out, the demise of hemlock in southern New England means that regional nurseries have virtually no experience with this species. In contrast, we have had success in both rooting and grafting hemlock cuttings. A M.S. student will help Casagrande and Maynard to codify "best practice" techniques and work with nurseries to implement and adapt them to local conditions. The student will also work with Casagrande on crossing mature HWA-resistant trees in the field. Objective 2: Following protection through the OIP, Casagrande, Maynard, and the M.S. student will work to implement the following three-step plan for the promotion and distribution of our plants: 1) Work with RINLA and the OIP to develop a suitable trade name for HWA-resistant hemlocks; 2) Identify several RI-based nursery cooperators to propagate several thousand HWAresistant hemlocks for distribution to and evaluation by RINLA members; and 3) Develop a hemlock hedge as a source of cuttings for nursery propagators. The hedge will be exposed to windborne HWA crawlers, and plants with poor growth forms or minimal HWA resistance will be culled. Objective 3: Understanding the plant's response to HWA ultimately requires an understanding of processes occurring within the plant itself. Research suggests that hemlock resistance to herbivores like HWA likely occurs via nutrients [specifically N, Ca, P, and K] and/or terpenoids, secondary metabolites that play a role in deterring herbivory. Preisser, Casagrande, and a Ph.D. student will thus carry out analyses of foliar chemistry focused on nutrient levels and terpenoid profiles. Objective 4: We propose increasing our efforts to find and evaluate potentially HWAresistant eastern hemlocks. This is critical since a) individual trees are likely to possess different levels (and perhaps, mechanisms) of resistance; and b) a genetically diverse set of HWA-resistant trees is essential to avoid inbreeding and other problems. In addition to their own surveys of HWAdevastated forests, the Ph.D. student will also coordinate their efforts with state foresters, park managers, and local nonprofit groups. We can use these stakeholders' expertise to find stands for sampling. We have developed a 'tally sheet' for cooperators that will provide the location and information about each tree. The brochure describing our project and soliciting candidate trees will be mailed to state and regional cooperators, and we will also solicit cuttings from our Forest Service and Cooperative Extension contacts. We will use standard techniques to propagate, grow, and test each tree's HWA resistance relative to controls

Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:We have talked to nursery professionals, state and local foresters, and an array of scientists regarding our work and its potential applications. We have been guided by their suggestions in developing and testing a number of hemlock saplings derived from adelgid-resistant parent material (using both grafting and rooted propagation). Changes/Problems:We would have liked to produce many more plants, but the techniques for propagating hemlocks are poorly described and we have had to learn via trial-and-error how best to succeed. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We had two grant-supported graduate students finish, and an undergraduate assisted in the completion of the project this past summer. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our results were sufficiently convincing that we were easily able to identify cooperators in multiple states who were willing to work with us on the outplanting and evaluation of our adelgid-resistant hemlock saplings. While we produced a decent number (~80) of hemlocks suitable for outplanting, demand by our cooperators far exceeded our ability to supply them with plants. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We have talked to nursery professionals, state and local foresters, and an array of scientists regarding our work and its potential applications. We have been guided by their suggestions in developing and testing a number of hemlock saplings derived from adelgid-resistant parent material (using both grafting and rooted propagation). After growing these saplings out to a size suitable for outplanting, we have distributed many of them to state and local foresters who are outplanting them alongside control trees in multiple east coast forests for long-term evaluation of their survival and vigor.

Publications


    Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

    Outputs
    Target Audience: We spoke about our grant-related research at the following venues: 1. Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America in November 2013. 2. USDA Interagency Research Forum on Invasive Species in January 2014. 3. Annual meeting of the Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America in March 2014. 4. New England Natural History Conference in April 2014. 5. Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America in August 2014 6. European Congress of Entomology in August 2014. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project has provided abundant opportunities for graduate training as well as a number of opportunities for talented undergraduates to gain research experience. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Via talks and published articles. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Finish the large-scale resistance experiment, write up the results fo publication, further disseminate our findings.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? We have results that (pending analysis) that demonstrate our trees have a measurable degree of adelgid resistance. We have greatly increased our knowledge of hemlock propagation, and students supported by this grant have carried out a wide variety of related research projects.

    Publications

    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Preisser, E.L., Oten, K.F., and F.P. Hain. 2014. Hemlock woolly adelgid in the eastern United States: what have we learned? Southeastern Naturalist 13(Special Issue 6): 1-15. Invited introduction to special feature on the hemlock woolly adelgid.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: G�mez, S., Gonda-King, L., Orians, C.M., Orwig, D.A., Panko, R., Radville, L., Soltis, N., Thornber, C.S., and E.L. Preisser. 2014. Interactions between invasive herbivores and their long-term impact on New England hemlock forests. Biological Invasions in press
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Gonda-King, L., G�mez, S., Martin, J., Orians, C.M., and E.L. Preisser. 2014. Tree responses to an invasive sap-feeding insect. Plant Ecology 215(3): 297-304
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Soltis, N., G�mez, S., Leisk, G., Sherwood, P., Preisser, E.L., Bonello, E., and C.M. Orians. 2014. Failure under stress: the effect of the exotic herbivore Adelges tsugae on biomechanics of Tsuga canadensis. Annals of Botany 113(4): 721-730.
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: McKenzie, E.A., Elkinton, J.S., Casagrande, R.A., Preisser, E.L., and M. Mayer. 2014. Terpene chemistry of eastern hemlocks resistant to hemlock woolly adelgid. Journal of Chemical Ecology in press
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hickin, M., and E.L. Preisser. Effects of light and water availability on the performance of hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) and its impact on eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). Environmental Entomology in review
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Huggett, B.A., Savage, J.A., Hao, G.Y, Preisser, E.L. and N.M. Holbrook. Impact of hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand) infestation on leaf physiology and xylem structure and function in eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carri�re). Tree Physiology in review
    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2014 Citation: Soltis, N., G�mez, S., Gonda-King, L., Preisser, E.L., and C.M. Orians. The role of two exotic hemipteran herbivores in single-season resource allocation of hemlock trees. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata in review


    Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13

    Outputs
    Target Audience: We spoke about our research into adelgid-resistant hemlocks to an audience of ~40 scientists (primarily entomologists) at the annual meeting of the Eastern Branch of the Entomological Society of America in spring 2013. We were also invited to give a talk and poster on our work at the "The Alliance for Saving Threatened Forests 2013 Symposium" in fall 2013. This symposium, held at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville NC, brought together ~200 plant breeders, foresters, land management professionals, etc., to discuss the development of pest-resistant conifers as a means of mitigating the impact of invasive forest pests. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project has allowed the training of one gradaute student and one undergraduate. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The results of our work have been disseminated via conference presentations, publications, and individual meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Finish the final long-term experiment, apply for a PVP, and finalize industry partnerships for the sale and dissemination of our products.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Objective #1: We have substantially advanced our ability to graft and propagate hemlocks, and now have a healthily-growing collection of both resistant and control hemlock accessions. Objective #2: Becasue our final large-scale test of the adelgid resistance of our cultivars is not yet complete, we have not finalized our netwrok of industry partnerships. Objective #3: We recently publishged a paper determining how forest pest affect terpenoid levels in hemlocks, inofrmation that should be useful in dertmining the nature of the adelgid resistance. Objective #4: We have met with collaborators at NC State to expand the search for HWA-resistant hemlocks into the southern portion of the east coast.

    Publications

    • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Pezet, J., Elkinton, J.S., G�mez, S., McKenzie, E.A., Lavine, M., and E.L. Preisser. 2013. Hemlock woolly adelgid and elongate hemlock scale induce changes in foliar volatiles of eastern hemlock. Journal of Chemical Ecology 39 (8): 1090-1100