Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Accomplishments 2009 Milestones Accomplished: " Genetic map of Chinese and American chestnut " Genetic analysis of regions near chromosome-specific markers " Refined genetic linkage and genome sequence maps for map-based cloning of fungal vic and pathogenicity genes. " Assembly and community manual annotation of the C. parasitica genome sequence " C. parasitica genome sequence used to develop new microarray chip and proteomics platforms for analysis of global gene expression in the blight fungus when challenged by viral pathogens " Secondary structural motifs within the hypovirus genome identified " Anatomical studies of Chinese chestnut stems to determine relationship between protophloem fibers and grafting failure " Genetic fingerprints of tested cultivars through the use of microsatellite markers " Cultures of new embryogenic clones of known parentage established " Multiple transclones with 3 to 6 first-generation anti-fungal gene constructs regenerated " Tissue from chestnut families segregating for resistance to the blight collected " Differential responses of American and Chinese chestnut to foliar application of jasmonic acid characterized 2010 Milestones Accomplished: " Region of Chinese chestnut genome responsible for resistance to the blight pathogen delineated " Common secondary structural motifs shared with other hypoviruses identified " Fungal proteins altered in response to infection with hypovirus identified " Robust genetic linkage map for C. parasitica based on genomic sequence generated " C. parasitica antiviral RNA silencing pathways characterized " Genetic and physical causes of graft union failure in newly budded trees elucidated " Nitrogen recommendations for chestnut orchards finalized " Interaction between Asian chestnut gall wasp stem galls and chestnut foliage characterized " Influence of gall structure on ecological associations of the Asian chestnut gall wasp characterized " Chestnut volatiles as potential attractants for adult chestnut weevils characterized " DNA marker technology further developed " Engineer altered secondary structures and assess impact on hypovirus viability and transmission " Resistance of embryogenic clones in greenhouse tested " Field tests using embryogenic clones established " Contribution of saprophytic growth of C. parasitica to hypovirulent inoculum production assessed 2011 Milestones Accomplished: " Gains provided by release of transgenic strains of C. parasitica in the field assessed " Summary of early performance of 'Eaton' and 'Auburn Super' scions grafted onto 'Little Giant' interstem and 'Cropper' seedling rootstock completed (5 yr summary) " Genetic and physical causes of delayed incompatibility on bearing trees determined " Determine the effects of different pruning methods on nut yield and quality " Determine the attractiveness of chestnut volatiles to adult chestnut weevil " Make F2 crosses with Canadian chestnut and collect and store fruit " Sequence regions of the Chinese chestnut genome responsible for resistance to the blight pathogen and identify candidate resistance genes " C. parasitica vic genes identified, cloned and disrupted " C. parasitica secreted proteins and plant cell degrading enzymes and hypovirus-mediated modulations identified 2012 Milestones Accomplished: " F2 Canadian chestnut seedlings planted in field " Initiated functional tests by genetic transformation of candidate genes for resistance to the blight pathogen identified in the Chinese chestnut genome " Evaluated preliminary results from field tests using embryogenic clones " Identified fungal genes responsible for differences in C. parasitica virulence levels through genetic and genomic analyses " C. parasitica genes required for hypovirus replication and symptom expression through genetic and genomic analyses identified " Role of jasmonic acid in development of galls produced by Asian chestnut gall wasp elucidated " Molecular characterization of the Asian chestnut gall wasps introduced parasitoid, Torymus sinensis, and a native parasitoid, Ormyrus labotus, and their interactions characterized 2013 Milestones Accomplished: " Genes associated with vegetative incompatibility identified and characterized (vic1 and vic3) " Generation of a complete set of allele-specific PCR primers for all vic loci generated, available to interested researchers. " Survey of vic-genotypes for C. parasitica field isolate populations completed " Identified and sequence analysis of vic gene homologs in other Cryphonectria species. " F2 Canadian chestnut seedlings for screened for blight resistance " First test plants of chestnut trees with improved blight resistance deployed " Initiated development of dwarf chestnut trees of potential value to growers with limited space " Guidelines for P. cinnamomi control in southern forest nurseries established " Historical data to determine most suitable sites for chestnut reestablishment synthesized " Elucidated role of abiotic forces and landscape factors in localized spread of the Asian chestnut gall wasp " Role of olfactory and visual cues in host location by Torymus sinensis, the introduced parasitoid of the Asian chestnut gall wasp elucidated " Determined the role of a Colletotrichum/ Glomerella sp. fungus colonizing Asian chestnut gall wasp galls; the fungus causes high gall wasp mortality and no parasitoid mortality.