Advanced spectroscopy-based phenotyping offers a potential solution to the ash dieback epidemic

Area of Science:

• Forestry
• Plant Pathology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Global change and invasive pathogens threaten forests worldwide.
• Ash dieback (ADB), caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, is decimating European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) populations.
• Heritable host resistance is crucial for European ash survival and restoration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid and efficient method for identifying ADB-resistant European ash genotypes.
• To support breeding and restoration efforts for threatened European ash populations.

Main Methods:

• Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was used to analyze phenolic extracts from European ash bark.
• A soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) model was employed to discriminate between resistant and susceptible trees.
• The FT-IR/SIMCA model was validated across European ash populations in six countries.

Main Results:

• The FT-IR spectroscopy coupled with SIMCA modeling robustly discriminated between ADB-resistant and susceptible European ash.
• The method proved effective and efficient for identifying superior genotypes.
• Validation across multiple countries confirmed the model's reliability.

Conclusions:

• FT-IR spectroscopy offers a powerful tool for the rapid identification of ash dieback resistance in European ash.
• This approach can significantly advance efforts to conserve and restore European ash populations.
• The findings are vital for managing forest resources threatened by invasive pathogens.