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MPG North

MPG North

Protecting Open Space for Future Generations

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Fungal Inoculation of Western White Pine Trees

Fungal inoculations in western white pine may improve tree defense against disease.

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s part of our ongoing research on western white pine and their fungal symbionts, we spent last winter preparing candidate fungi to inoculate >500 western white pine (WWP) seedlings at the Dorena Genetic Research Center this May

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Working in collaboration with the Dorena Genetic Resource Center (DGRC) in Eugene, Oregon, we continue to investigate the role of fungi in mitigating disease in western white pine trees

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Suillus species are known symbionts of white pines and have been shown to increase both biomass and nitrogen content of trees (

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Using multiple different methods, we also tested over 70 foliar fungal endophytes found in needles of healthy white pines, for the inhibition of pathogen growth in the lab.

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Suillus spores diluted in water were pipetted directly onto roots of western white pine seedlings.

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Fall pathogen inoculation and further analyses + References
  • Mixed Conifer

Tags: 

  • Ectomycorrhizal fungi
  • Fungal Endophytes
  • Cronartium ribicola
  • forest pathology

Project: 

  • Western White Pine Ecology

Related

  • What happened to the White Pine seedlings?
  • Project Update: White Pine seedlings at the University of Idaho nursery
  • Western White Pine Recovery from Cold Damage

About MPG North

Established in 2005, the property boundary at MPG North encloses 200 undeveloped acres in Western Montana’s Swan Valley. Researchers and field staff manage the property to improve habitat quality for wildlife, discover new ways to restore damaged landscapes and study forest ecology. We also create opportunities to share what we've learned with local conservation organizations, students of all ages, management agencies and volunteers. Through these education and outreach efforts, we seek to inspire others to work together and protect undeveloped landscapes.