Metla Project 3466

Evaluation of future risks of alien species and old pathogens on new hosts

[  Suomeksi  |  Objectives  |  Project leader  |  Researchers  |  Publications  |  Metla Research  ]

Duration: 2007-2011   Keywords: Cronartium, Gremmeniella, Phacidium, Phytophthora, Pythium, cold-heat resistance, detection, development of new tools, hosts, identification
Research project group:

Objectives

The major goal of this study will be to find out which alien species will be a threat to Finnish forests and is it possible that host species of old pest will increase in future. We have already found imported Phytophthora spp., which are harmful to trees, from Finnish ornamentals. For more accurate detection we have to develop a molecular tool, which will find all microbes representing this species present in samples, to be used together with traditional baiting and isolation. Cronartium ribicola might have hosts also in Finland and other possible new pathogens on spruce are Gremmeniella abietina and Phacidium infestans. An important task is found the circumstantial factors favouring these species and test the possible over-wintering capacity of alien microbes. The host range will also be tested, because in risk analyses it has been assumed that consequences of pest introduction are positively correlated with the pest's host range. The international co-operation will give us an opportunity to study the potential migration of species. We also would like to develop a warning system for the decreased vitality of trees to be used in National Forest Inventory.

Project leader: Lilja, Arja
The Finnish Forest Research Institute, Vantaa Unit, PL 18, FI-01301 VANTAA, FINLAND
Phone: +358 10 211 5102 Telefax: +358 10 211 2103
E-mail: arja.lilja@metla.fi

Other researchers: Hantula, Jarkko, VA (2007-08), Kaitera, Juha, OU (2008-11), Nevalainen, Seppo, JO (2007-08), Petäistö, Raija-Liisa, SU (2007-09,2011), Rytkönen, Anna (2011)


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Updated 24.05.2012
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