The emerald ash borer (EAB) was accidentally introduced to North America from Asia. North American Fraxinus species evidently have no resistance to this pest. Since its introduction in the vicinity of Detroit, it has devastated native Fraxinus populations in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Ontario, and it continues to spread. The loss of these species has cultural, ecological, and economic implications that warrant preserving the genetic resources before too much is lost to the insect. Trees, as do all plants, must be adapted to their environment to thrive. Natural ash populations have adapted to their environments. Preserving a significant number of these populations is required for successful reintroduction of these species, once adequate environmental control measures for EAB are developed or trees resistant to the insect are bred and introduced. Breeding resistant ash trees for reintroduction will ultimately require an array of adapted parental populations. Given the projected degree of EAB destruction to native stands, only well-conserved ex situ germplasm collections will be able to provide this needed material. The easiest way to assemble such collections is to collect seeds from representative native stands following a systematic plan.* The seeds will not transmit EAB to non-infested areas. Studies have shown no loss in viability over 7 years for Green and European ash seeds stored at 5 °C. Seed regenerations at the Plant Introduction Station (Ames, Iowa) reported successful germination of 9-year old Green Ash seeds stored at -18 °C. Therefore, when properly handled, seeds should survive well under medium and long-term storage conditions. Seeds can be easily distributed to scientists and growers to produce seedlings for EAB research, breeding, other scientific study, and future ecological restoration work.
Mark Widrlechner, NCRPIS Horticulturist, with assistance from technician, Jeff Carstens, is coordinating a national program to conserve Fraxinus (ash) germplasm, that includes many state and federal agencies, public gardens, and private landowners. The primary focus of this effort is on seed collection of five susceptible ash species native to the Eastern US in areas now (or soon to be) affected by EAB. However, collaborators in China are also making seed collections from Asian ash species that have coevolved with EAB. Financial support for both domestic and Chinese collections has been provided by the National Plant Germplasm System’s Plant Exchange Office.
Notes: *The systematic plan described: Presentation in Annapolis_2009.pdf
Links to others who have featured this work:
Iowa State University
Associated Press release to many newspapers
USDA ARS News Article
Printable Version
E-mail this page
