Signalling pathways and innate immunity in Norway spruce: recognition and defense responses

SUMMARY The coniferous forests of the Northern Hemisphere are a major natural resource for both the products they provide and their positive environmental impact. During their long lives, coniferous trees meet challenges from a wide variety of organisms, the most serious being bark beetles and their associated phytopathogenic fungi. Studies conducted at Skogforsk and other places over the last 20 years have elucidated the basic relationship between bark beetles, fungi, and their host trees. Tree death re sults when the beetles mass inoculate fungi into the phloem/sapwood. To be able to protect trees against damage by bark boring insects and pathogens we need to develop a clear understanding of insect–fungus–conifer interactions, including signal transduct ion pathways in infected host tissues. Benefits of the proposed project may include the development of methods for manipulating tree resistance, engineering or targeted breeding of trees with genetically improved defensive capacities, and better prognosis models for bark beetle and fungi population dynamics. Finally, the project will maintain and further strengthen Skogforsk’s position as a national and international center for research on conifer defense and forest protection.