Project Number: 1275-22000-245-04
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Jan 01, 2007
End Date: Dec 31, 2008

Objective:
To develop a rapid molecular identification of Allantophomopsis pseudotsugae (also called Phomopsis strobi) in Douglas fir seedlings.

Approach:
Specimens and cultures of Allantophomopsis pseudotsugae will be collected from the Pacific Northwest by Weyerhaeuser for use in this project. Additional strains and related fungi will be obtained from other hosts in N. America and Europe. Each specimen will be identified morphologically and the internal transcribed spacer regions of the rDNA, translation elongation factor 1-alpha, and beta-tubulin genes will be evaluated for species-level variation. A PCR-based identification method will be developed based on these sequences. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: A rapid method for identifying a fungal blight pathogen of conifers will be developed based on DNA sequence data.