The Swedish elms are critically threatened by the so-called elm disease, which is caused by a fungal infection. However, some elms are more resistant than others, and now the researchers at LNU will study how microbes, i.e. bacteria and fungi, can work to increase resistance.
– The almen is a wonderful tree that is important for biodiversity, says Johanna Witzell, professor at the Department of Forestry and Wood Technology at LNU who leads the project.
Is there a vaccine
Since before, there are vaccines for elms that increase their resistance. But it has to be injected directly into the trunk, and it’s not possible to run around and needle all wild elms.
But if the researchers succeed in identifying fungi and bacteria that naturally protect elms against the disease – then the forest can be managed so that these microbes benefit. In the long run, it could also protect the elms.
The project is one of several research projects that are now receiving funding from the Skogsällskapet foundation.
Another project in which the Linnaeus University is involved receives money from the Forestry Society. It is about “Future forest management in Southern Sweden”, a research project in collaboration with the Swedish University of Agriculture and Forest Research.