Summary
Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in Europe are threatened by two alien invasive organisms; a deadly fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus that has been causing a slow, steady decline in Europe’s ash population, and emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis), a buprestid beetle that is quickly killing trees in eastern Europe, and moving west. There are fears that EAB will follow the same path as it did recently in USA – killing millions of ash trees, unless active research is undertaken to prevent the spread of EAB and protect the ash resource. EMERALD is a multidisciplinary and innovative project that approaches this invasion through the combination of molecular biology, analytical chemistry, sensor technology, insect ecology, and tree physiology to understand host-pest interactions and improve the options for integrated pest management in European forests. In this project, naïve and a co-evolved ash species will be investigated to understand their attractive volatile chemistry and influence on EAB’s behaviour and host preference (antixenosis), differences in host chemical defenses that either promote or deter EAB performance (antibiosis), and the confounding effect of H. fraxineus in relation to both interactions. Novel early detection tools will be developed including new lure traps and molecular assays based on optimized environmental DNA protocols of samples filtered from stem flow and canopy foliage, and portable loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to achieve point-of-use and real-time detection of EAB. The training-through-research will diversify and expand the skillset of the applicant, while also providing reciprocal teaching and new insights for the host unit. The results of this project will have tremendous value for European stakeholders and the general public for those concerned with saving the economically and ecological valuable ash in urban and rural forested environments by developing an arsenal of tools to manage the impending EAB invasion.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101027324 |
| Start date: | 01-10-2021 |
| End date: | 30-09-2023 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 191 852,16 Euro - 191 852,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
Ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) in Europe are threatened by two alien invasive organisms; a deadly fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus that has been causing a slow, steady decline in Europe’s ash population, and emerald ash borer (EAB; Agrilus planipennis), a buprestid beetle that is quickly killing trees in eastern Europe, and moving west. There are fears that EAB will follow the same path as it did recently in USA – killing millions of ash trees, unless active research is undertaken to prevent the spread of EAB and protect the ash resource. EMERALD is a multidisciplinary and innovative project that approaches this invasion through the combination of molecular biology, analytical chemistry, sensor technology, insect ecology, and tree physiology to understand host-pest interactions and improve the options for integrated pest management in European forests. In this project, naïve and a co-evolved ash species will be investigated to understand their attractive volatile chemistry and influence on EAB’s behaviour and host preference (antixenosis), differences in host chemical defenses that either promote or deter EAB performance (antibiosis), and the confounding effect of H. fraxineus in relation to both interactions. Novel early detection tools will be developed including new lure traps and molecular assays based on optimized environmental DNA protocols of samples filtered from stem flow and canopy foliage, and portable loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to achieve point-of-use and real-time detection of EAB. The training-through-research will diversify and expand the skillset of the applicant, while also providing reciprocal teaching and new insights for the host unit. The results of this project will have tremendous value for European stakeholders and the general public for those concerned with saving the economically and ecological valuable ash in urban and rural forested environments by developing an arsenal of tools to manage the impending EAB invasion.Status
CLOSEDCall topic
MSCA-IF-2020Update Date
28-04-2024
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