Project Number: 1230-21000-053-03
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jul 01, 2005
End Date: Jul 01, 2009

Objective:
Produce clonal hemlock propagules of previously generated interspecific Tsuga hybrids and of T. chinensis seedlings of documented wild-collected germplasm accessions for further evaluation of adelgid tolerance and growth characteristics in multiple environments. Evaluation of the growth and resistance to Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) of a replicated field trial of documented wild-collected T. chinensis germplasm and hybrid-crosses between T. chinensis and T. caroliniana.

Approach:
Cuttings will be taken from healthy and vigorously growing individuals of the species and hybrids including T. chinensis x T. caroliniana, T. caroliniana x T. chinensis, T. chinensis x. T. diversifolia, T. chinensis x T. sieboldii, T. canadensis and T. chinensis. Rooting will be attempted in winter and/or spring/summer with dormant and actively growing materials and depending on size of parent plant. Rooted plants will be grown for 2- 3 years in a shaded polyhouse, and will be utilized for greenhouse or growth chamber inoculation with HWA. Field inoculation with HWA of hemlock hybrids and species will be initiated in year one with our cooperating entomologist. Plants will be heavily infested to screen out poorly to moderately resistant genotypes and identify most tolerant genotypes.