SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
Fungi associated with
conifer-infesting bark beetles in Norway and
South AfricaProf. Paal Krokene
Prof. Mike Wingfield
South Africa – Norway Programme on Research Co-operation Cape Town, 14 March 2005
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
BACKGROUND
South African Partner: University of Pretoria
FABI (Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute)
Professor Mike WingfieldNorwegian Partner: Norwegian Forest Research Institute
SKOGFORSKProfessor Paal Krokene
Project periode: Aug. 2002 – Aug. 2005
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
KEY OBJECTIVES
• Both Norway and South Africa are countries with important forestry industries. Seek opportunities to develop research and capacity building synergy in this domain.
• Establish firm Norway/ South African collaboration in forest protection research. Capitalise on different research strengths of the two parties.
• Expand the understanding of South African students and staff, particularly in studying forest insect pests.
• Strong focus on student training and capacity building.
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
BARK BEETLES AND FUNGI
Scolytidae (Coleoptera) Family of small beetles
(<1 to 10 mm) 6,000 species worldwide
(Norway 44, South Africa 3)
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
TREE KILLING BY BARK BEETLES
Photo by Mark McGregor, USDA Forest Service.
The mountain pine beetle killed 80 million pine trees in the NW United States from 1979 to 1983
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
TREE-KILLING BY BARK BEETLES
11
Some bark beetles can swim
in resin!
1. Tolerate tree defenses
Sticky spores on the body surface, in the gut
or in specialized mycangia
33
3. Are associated with tree-killing fungi
Thousands of beetles mass-
attack each tree22
2. Have very powerful aggregation pheromones
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
BARK BEETLES AND FUNGI
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
STAFF & STUDENT EXCHANGE
Visitor Place Stay
Paal Krokene, Skogforsk
Pretoria Jan. 3 – May 31, 2003
Karin Jacobs, FABI Ås May 17 – 31, 2004
Jolanda Roux, FABI Ås Jun. 7 – Jul. 28, 2004
Halvor Solheim, Skogforsk
Pretoria Apr. 10 – 24, 2005
Joha Grobellaar, FABI Ås Jun. – Aug., 2005
Gilbert Kamgan, FABI Ås Jun. – Aug., 2005
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
STAFF & STUDENT EXCHANGE
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
SCIENTIFIC OUTPUT
Articles in referee-based scientific journals: 5Zhou XD, de Beer ZW, Harrington TC, McNew D, Kirisits T, Wingfield MJ (2004)
Epitypification of Ophiostoma galeiforme and phylogeny of species in the O. galeiforme complex. MYCOLOGIA 96 (6): 1306-1315.
Jacobs K, Kirisits T, Wingfield MJ (2004) Taxonomic re-evaluation of three related species of Graphium, based on morphology, ecology and phylogeny. MYCOLOGIA 95 (4): 714-727.
Krokene P, Barnes I, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ (2004) A PCR-RFLP based diagnostic technique to rapidly identify Seiridium species causing cypress canker. MYCOLOGIA 96 (6): 1352-1354.
Marin MM, Preisig O, Wingfield BD, Kirisits T, Yamaoka and Wingfield MJ (2005) Phenotypic and DNA sequence data comparisons reveal three discrete species in the Ceratocystis polonica sensu latu complex. MYCOLOGICAL RESEARCH (in press)
Jacobs K, Solheim H, Wingfield BD, Wingfield MJ. Taxonomic re-evaluation of Leptographium lundbergii based on DNA sequence comparisons and morphology. MYCOLOGICAL RESEARCH (submitted)
Conference and Workshop presentations: 4
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
HOW WE LEARNED ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
Long-standing desire for cooperation that finally materialized:
• Contact since 1995 and before plans materialized for a visit in 1st half of 2003 with funding
• Looked for additional funding South African partner came across the Norway-SA programme in beginning of March 2003
• Norwegian partner had heard about plans for the programme at an earlier stage (+/- 2001)
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Fast and straight-forward process:• Wrote a proposal via e-mail during April 2002 deadline
25 April positive answer July 6, 2002 project started August 1, 2002
• Funding approved at end of 2002• The budget was the greatest challenge lots of
opportunities and constraints• Late receipt of South African funds late 2003• Lack of available students early in process
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
SYNERGIES AND MUTUAL BENEFITS
• Expanded understanding of research for respective countries
• Exposure of students to new ideas and cultures
• Substantial expansion of research experience (techniques)
• Growth in research outputs
• Improved educational inputs
• Expansion of forestry and especially forest protection knowledge amongst South African researchers and students
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
ROLE IN PROMOTING REDRESS
•Slow beginning
•Gaining impetus gradually but surely
•Term of grants should be substantially longer
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute
FUTURE PLANS
• Project requires an additional year (without new funds) to achieve full benefit. This due to starting a year late.
• New research opportunities identified for future and stronger collaboration.
• Students and researchers allerted to opportunities to collaborate. Thus an excellent foundation has been established for further success.
SKOG FORSKSKOG FORSKNorwegian Forest Research Norwegian Forest Research
InstituteInstitute