Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Natural Resources and Conservation

Honors Theses

Theses/Dissertations

Conservation biology

Publication Year

Articles 1 - 3 of 3

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Not Extinct: A Year In The Life Of The American Chesnut, Kristen Julina Stanfill Mar 2013

Not Extinct: A Year In The Life Of The American Chesnut, Kristen Julina Stanfill

Honors Theses

After the widespread infection of the American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata) due to the fungus Cryphonectria parasitica the species was nearly brought to extinction and now merely exists as stump sprouts. Since the fungus infects the bark of the tree but not the root systems new shoots are able to emerge and grow before once again being girdled by the fungus. Cryphonectria parasitica is believed to have been brought to America on Asian species of chestnut which possess resistance to the blight caused by the fungus. It is the plan of the American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) to integrate the genes …


The Effect Of Phosphite On Mycorrhiza Formation In American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata), Matthew T. Perkins May 2012

The Effect Of Phosphite On Mycorrhiza Formation In American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata), Matthew T. Perkins

Honors Theses

One of the primary hindrances to Castanea dentata restoration in the Southeast is the root rot disease caused by the fungus-like microorganism Phytophthora cinnamomi. Root rot can be combated by the application of mono- and di-potassium salts of phosphorous acid, which are marketed as phosphite fungicides. Despite its value in preventing infection by P. cinnamomi it is also thought that phosphite may impede root colonization by beneficial, ectomycorrhizal fungi. I hypothesized that plants given a routine application of phosphite will display fewer mycorrhizas in the root tips than those plants that were not treated with potassium phosphite. Therefore I attempted …


Conversion Of Virulent Cryphonectria Parasitica From The Lula Lake Land Trust To Hypovirulent Strains, Pearl Hwang Apr 2001

Conversion Of Virulent Cryphonectria Parasitica From The Lula Lake Land Trust To Hypovirulent Strains, Pearl Hwang

Honors Theses

For almost a century, the fungus, Cryphonectria parasitica has existed in the United States as a wound parasite to American chestnut (Castanea dentata) trees. However, hypovirulence, evidence of spontaneous healing in Italy and Michigan, has given the American chestnut trees hope to one day be restored into its natural range. Viruses were the cause of such spontaneous healings. My hypothesis was that a viruscontaining hypovirulent strain of C. parasitica (in a brown background) would share alleles that control anastomoses with the local virulent strains, so a virus that causes hypovirulence could be transmitted into local virulent strains in vitro. Fifty …