Symposium: Chestnut Blight: A 10-Year Study of Disease Management Using Hypoviruses
Sponsoring Committee: Forest Pathology
Co-Sponsoring Committee(s): Biological Control, Epidemiology, Regulatory Plant Pathology
Organizer: Jane Cummings Carlson, DNR, Fitchburg, WI

Chestnut blight caused by Cryphonectria parasitica is responsible for the demise of the chestnut forests of eastern North America and Europe. In the 1960s chestnut trees surviving chestnut blight were observed in Italy. These trees were infected with strains of the fungus infected with hypoviruses that reduce the virulence of the pathogen. A large stand of American chestnut trees in West Salem, WI, became infected with chestnut blight in 1987. After a brief attempt at eradication, hypoviruses were introduced in 1992 and their dissemination followed through the stand for the past decade. While virulent strains still predominate and are infecting previously healthy trees, data suggest the hypoviruses are disseminating and that trees are beginning to respond with wound callus.

Ecological history and early disease management of an isolated stand of American chestnut in Wisconsin. J.E. CUMMINGS CARLSON (1), F.L. Paillet (2), and S.E. Dahir (1). (1) Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Madison; (2) U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO

The decision to disseminate hypovirulent strains at West Salem: The Michigan experience. D.W. FULBRIGHT. Michigan State University, East Lansing

Clonal population structure and reproductive biology of Cryphonectria parasitica. I.C. MCGUIRE and M.G. Milgroom. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

Hypovirus deployment, establishment and spread: Results after six years of canker treatment. M.L. DOUBLE and W.L. MACDONALD. West Virginia University, Morgantown

Spatial patterns of blight and hypovirus spread within the West Salem chestnut stand. A.M. JAROSZ (1), S.E. Dahir (2) and M.L. Double (3). (1) Michigan State University, East Lansing; (2) Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Madison; (3) West Virginia University, Morgantown

Evaluation of recovery at the West Salem chestnut stand: A demographic analysis. A.L. DAVELOS (1), A.M. Jarosz (2), S.E. Dahir (3), and J.E. Cummings Carlson (3). (1) University of Minnesota, St. Paul; (2) Michigan State University, East Lansing; (3) Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, Madison

Chestnut breeding and hypovirulence: Integrated approaches to the restoration of the American chestnut. J.H. CRADDOCK. University of Tennessee, Chattanooga