2006 Annual Report 1.What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? This Project falls within the general overview of Crop Production, Product Value and Safety, and more specifically into NP 304 Crop Protection and Quarantine. The project specifically deals with management of emerald ash borer. Emerald ash borer (EAB) has killed millions of white, green, and black ash trees in Michigan, Ontario, and Ohio since its accidental introduction from Asia, and has the potential to devastate ash in urban and natural forests throughout North America. However, EAB does not devastate its native hosts in Asia. The objectives of this proposal are to determine why EAB is such an aggressive killer of North American ash trees, and to identify mechanisms by which Asian ashes resist EAB. Our working hypothesis is that Asian ashes are resistant because they possess targeted defenses to EAB by virtue of their long coevolutionary history. Deciduous trees are thought to resist borers by means of rapid feeding-induced defensive responses of phloem tissue, including biosynthesis of defensive secondary metabolites and formation of wound periderms that encapsulate larvae. We plan to characterize and quantify these defensive responses in an experimental, replicated ash plantation in Michigan planted with major North American and Asian species of ash. Our specific objectives are to (1) document variation in resistance / susceptibility of Asian and native ashes to EAB, and (2) identify the mechanisms of resistance that may be present in Asian species. Identification of resistance mechanisms will facilitate screening, selection, and/or breeding of resistant ash trees. 2.List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research progress) Quantify interspecific variation in EAB larval colonization and adult emergence each year. Document host impact of EAB by quantifying degree of tree decline and mortality each year. Identify and quantify phloem defense responses correlated with EAB resistance, including phenolic profiles, defensive proteins, and wound-induced periderm formation. Increase the common garden plantation by adding increased number of North American and Asian ash species. 4a.List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. Manchurian ash determined to be resistant to EAB: A replicated ash planting was established in Novi, Michigan in May of 2003, Manchurian ash, which is native to Asia, was determined to be much more resistant to EAB than North American ash species. Successful colonization of trees by EAB was quantified in October 2005, by quantifying the number of emergence holes / tree, and degree of tree dieback. EAB colonization of Manchurian ash was much lower than that of green, white, or black ash. Patterns of interspecific variation in tree mortality were similar, with survival rates being 89% for Manchurian ash, 49% for white ash, 36% for green ash, and only 15% for black ash. If these preliminary results are confirmed it would demonstrate Manchurian ashes to be a source of resistance genes for use in breeding programs. This is under National Program 304. Impact would be to save the American ash or provide substitute species. Nursery industry has no other substitutes. 4b.List other significant research accomplishment(s), if any. None. 4c.List significant activities that support special target populations. None. 4d.Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a Specific Cooperative Agreement between ARS and The Ohio State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 3607-22000-010-00D Management of Invasive Scarabs, Root Weevils and other Beetles of Quarantine Significance in Horticultural, Turf and Nursery Crops. 5.Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. After two years of study, preliminary results suggest that Manchurian ash, which is native to Asia, is much more resistant to EAB than North American ash species. If these preliminary results are confirmed it would demonstrate Manchurian ashes to be a source of resistance genes for use in breeding programs. This project is under National Program 304. 6.What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end-user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? After only one year of data, the results are considered to preliminary for transfer to end-users, particularly the nursery industry. It is anticipated that results will be available after three years, which is required to gain confidence that patterns of resistance observed in trees are real. 7.List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Rebek, E., Herms, d., Smitley, D.R., Bonello, P., Eyles, A., Cipollini, D. 2005. Interspecific variation in ash resistance to emerald ash borer. In: V. Mastro, R. Reardon, and G. Parra eds. Proceedings of Emerald Ash Borer Research and Technology Development Meeting, p. 17. USDA Forest Service Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team FHTET-2005-16, 72 pp. Rebek, E., Herms, D., Smitley, d.R., Bonello, P., Eyles, A., Cipollini, D. 2005. Interspecific variation in ash resistance to emerald ash borer. 2005 USDA Emerald Ash Borer Research Review. September 26-27, Pittsburgh, PA.