Genetic Control and Evolutionary Potential of a Constitutive Resistance Mechanism Against the Spruce Budworm (Choristoneura Fumiferana) in White Spruce (Picea Glauca)

Organization
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
2 Billion Trees (2BT)
Project
Canadian Wood Fibre Centre
Resource Type
Peer reviewed article
Authors
Claudia Méndez-Espinoza
Geneviève Parent
Patrick Lenz
André Rainville
Laurence Tremblay
Greg Adams
Andrew McCartney
Éric Bauce
John MacKay
Resource Date:
2018
Page Length
12

The spruce budworm (SBW) is a forest insect pest that causes damage to boreal trees in North America. Resistance against SBW in white spruce had previously been linked to the content of specific chemical compounds in the trees’ needles (compounds called acetophenones, which are used as resistance biomarkers). We explored characteristics of these resistance biomarkers in 874 trees in seven field locations in Eastern Canada. The results regarding the resistance biomarkers show that white spruce evolved naturally to resist SBW. No indication for a trade-off between growth and the energy-intensive resistance mechanism were found. Artificial selection could further enhance SBW resistance in planting stock.