University of Alberta research is showing how trees and fungi team up to survive and stay healthy against insect attacks an alliance that could lead to more resilient forests.
Endophytes tiny micro-organisms made up of bacteria and fungi living harmlessly in the tissues of white spruce help the tree defend itself by producing toxic compounds that repel or kill eastern spruce budworm, the new study showed.
The discovery provides a "clear, detailed explanation" of how the fungi help protect the tree against the defoliating insect, says forest entomologist Nadir Erbilgin, a professor in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences who supervised the study.
"The work represents a big step forward in understanding natural pest resistance in white spruce and potentially for all conifer tree species," he adds.
"It's like discovering that trees have secret allies working behind the scenes to protect them."
