Fourth International Workshop on the Genetics of Host-Parasite Interactions in Forestry

July 31 - August 5, 2011
Valley River Inn
Eugene, Oregon, USA

Native and non-native pathogens, insects and animals continue to negatively impact forest ecosystems and plantations worldwide. Climate change will alter host-damage agent relationships and may increase detrimental impacts from many biotic agents. Genetic resistance within tree species is a key element to maintaining forest health. Utilizing genetic resistance is one of the few management options available to combat the impacts of insects, animals and pathogens. Resistance programs, including resistance breeding, will be vital as they increase the efficiency in utilizing genetic variation to maintain or restore forest health when mortality becomes unacceptably high.

Resistance research and breeding has been underway in some forest tree species for over 50 years. An informal survey completed in 2008 provides a snapshot of the level of activity in pest resistant breeding around the world. A review (Sniezko 2006, Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology 28: S270–S279) provides a partial update on four programs in the United States. Yanchuk & Allard 2009 discuss tree improvement programs for forest health in the presence of climate change (Yanchuk & Allard 2009, Unasylva 231/232 Vol. 60: 50-56). With climate change and continued invasion by non-native pathogens and insects, the contributions of resistance breeding to forests and ecosystems in the future are needed more than ever.

The purpose of this workshop is to advance progress in genetic resistance programs by fostering collaboration between scientific and management communities from throughout the world.

Key past meetings:

Breeding Pest-Resistant Trees (1964). University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.

Biology of Rust Resistance in Forest Trees (1969). Moscow, Idaho, USA.

Resistance to Diseases and Pests in Forest Trees (1980). Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Breeding Insect and Disease Resistant Forest Trees (1982). Eugene, Oregon, USA.

Mechanisms and Deployment of Resistance in Trees to Insects (2000). Iguassu Falls, Brazil.