Focus on Hymenoscyphus fraxineus

Research objectives

The aim is to gain a greater understanding about the impact and possible mitigation of the ash dieback pathogen H. fraxineus as it impacts on ash populations across Europe.

Specific objectives include:

• Survey and monitoring of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus in the UK
• Compare isolates by morphological, physiological and molecular analysis.
• Analyse population differences in Hymenoscyphus fraxineus using sequence analysis (GBS) and MultiLocus Variable number of tandem analysis (MLVA). This will complement ongoing research on the ecological genetics of H. fraxineus
• Provide pure cultures and infected tissues of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus for the validation of new protocols.
• Develop a reliable method for the detection of viable Hymenoscyphus fraxineus in seeds.
• Assess the potential of hot water treatment as a method of eradicating H. fraxineus from ash seeds.
• Contribute to the mass screening trial to identify inherent resistance in UK ash trees to H. fraxineus.