Investigating the Genetic Compatibility of Cryphonectria Parasitica and Effects in Relation to Castanea Dentata

Lauren Young*, Amy Metheny and Matthew Kasson, Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26505

Field (Broad Category): Biology (Agricultural & Environmental Sciences) 

Student’s Major: Biochemistry 

Castanea dentata, or more commonly known as the American chestnut tree, was once a keystone tree species within Northeast America prior to its almost complete removal due to the invasive fungal pathogen Cryphonectria parasitica, causal agent of chestnut blight. Prior to chestnut blight, C. dentata was integral to the Northeast economy, particularly for Southern Appalachians for whom the effects of its loss was both ecologically and economically devastating. In an effort to restore American chestnut, plant pathologists have begun to analyze the genetic variability of C. parasitica. The purpose of this experiment is to analyze the genetic variability of C. parasitica in cankers to better understand how genetic diversity of the pathogen affects disease progression on C. dentata, and control efforts. To investigate this, cankers infected with C. dentata were sampled from the WVU Agronomy farm for isolation; once completed, a genetic compatibility test is to be conducted using the isolated samples. This test will be conducted through the creation of a matrix with the isolated samples of C. parasitica; each sample of C. parasitica is to be plated with every other isolated sample for later examination. Isolates will also be molecularly confirmed. The yield of information from this study is vital to the field, as it allows plant pathologists to gain insight into what limitations may exist in the prevention of C. parasitica from spreading due to key features regarding genetic compatibility, but also gives insight into new possibilities of preventing further spread of the pathogen. 

Funding: Unknown 

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) & accompanying HONR 297-level course