Research finds sudden death oak pathogens are quick evolvers
[ California ] The fight to save California ‘ s emblematic oaks from disease is gaining momentum as scientists decipher the genetic code of the microbe responsible for sudden oak death. Sudden oak death has killed more than 1 million oak trees in 14 counties along the California and Oregon coast since it was first reported a decade ago. In addition to this vast arsenal, the microbes are quick evolvers. “It ‘ s the genetic arms race between the plant and the pathogen where they ‘ re changing their genes rapidly to find better ways to attack and better ways to defend,” said evolutionary genomicist Jeffrey Boore at JGI.

News notes are courtesy of Southern Forests Network News Notes
www.southernsustainableforests.org