Trees, with an average life expectancy of centuries, have a strong immune system that allows them to survive these threats in normal circumstances. However, in the last few years, we have seen outbreaks of tree diseases such as ash dieback, that we have not been prepared for. These events have been fuelled by climate change (e.g. increased temperature and CO2 concentration) and globalization (e.g. movement of people and goods). Much of the effort to control disease outbreaks is directed at operational responses to immediate threats, therefore, there is a need to focus on enhancing our fundamental understanding of plant-pathogen-environment interactions in the longer-term.
The “Priming in Trees” Consortium is an alliance of researchers studying the way that trees can sensitise their defence mechanisms to fight pests and diseases better. It consists of researchers from 10 different countries and 20 different institutions.
Our aims are:
- To understand mechanisms of priming in trees
- To study the durability of priming in trees
- To implement priming of defence in natural forest systems to provide solutions for current and future threats
Latest papers on “Priming in trees”:
Rabiey et al 2022 Scaling-up to understand tree–pathogen interactions: A steep, tough climb or a walk in the park? Current Opinion in Plant Biology
Vivas et al 2021 Transgenerational Induction of Resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi in Holm Oak. Forests
Amaral et al 2020 Advances and Promises of Epigenetics for Forest Trees. Forests
Mageroy et al 2019 Priming of inducible defenses protects Norway spruce against tree‐killing bark beetles Plant, Cell and Environment
Bittner et al 2019 Defense of Scots pine against sawfly eggs (Diprion pini) is primed by exposure to sawfly sex pheromones PNAS
Camison et al 2019 Increased tolerance to Phytophthora cinnamomi in offspring of ink-diseased chestnut (Castanea sativa Miller) trees Annals of Forest Science
Consortium
Leader: Dr Estrella Luna-Diez, University of Birmingham, UK
Members:
United Kingdom
Dr Sandra Denman, Forest Research
Prof Rob Jackson, University of Birmingham
Dr Mike Roberts, Lancaster University
Dr Agnes Ardanuy Gabarra, University of Manchester
Mr Samuel Wilkinson, University of Sheffield
Dr Bridget Crampton, Forest Research
Prof Jurriaan Ton, University of Sheffield
Sweden
Dr Adriana Puentes, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Spain
Prof Luis Sampedro, Galician Mision – Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Xoaquín Moreira, Galician Mision – Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Prof Alejandro Solla, University of Extremadura
Dr Mari Angeles Castillejo, University of Cordoba
Prof Jesus Jorrín-Novo, University of Cordoba
Dr Victor Flors, University Jaume I of Castellon
Dr Victoria Pastor, University Jaume I of Castellon
Prof Maria José Pozo, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
Dr Mar Sobral, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC)
Norway
Dr Melissa Mageroy, NIBIO
Prof Paal Krokene, NIBIO
Switzerland
Prof Brigitte Mauch-Mani, University of Neuchatel
Germany
Prof Monika Hilker, Freie University of Berlin
Dr Vivien Lortzing, Freie University of Berlin
Dr Hans Hoenicka, Thuenen Institute
Finland
Prof Fred Assiegbu, University of Helsinki
Dr Francoise Martz, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
Dr Johanna Riikonen, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
Portugal
Dr Gloria Pinto, University of Aveiro
France
Prof Stephane Maury, Orleans University
Greece
Dr Evangelia Avramidou, Institute of Mediterranean Forest Ecosystems
Luna-Díez Lab 