Forests are under many threats, from new pests and pathogens, to invasive trees, to climate. The advancement of these traits by far exceeds the natural response of trees to acclimate, and outpaces the efforts to traditionally breed trees for forest conservation and restoration. Dr. Ellen V. Crocker is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Kentucky. She talks about the current threats to forests including sudden oak death, chestnut blight and the emerald ash borer. She also discusses efforts in integrating new biotech tools in forest improvement, including genetic engineering, speed breeding, and gene drive approaches. Hosted by Dr. Paul Vincelli (@Pvincell).
Follow Dr. Crocker on Twitter @evcrocker
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