Beatrice Tolio

Last changed: 01 December 2023
Beatrice Tolio

Preliminary thesis title: Advanced Phenotyping Tools for Genetic Gain in Tree Breeding: Ash dieback in focus

The goal of my PhD is to support the development of a highly resistant population of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) to the invasive fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus causing ash dieback that is currently devastating ash populations and threatening biodiversity across Europe. My PhD is led by associate professor Michelle Cleary (SLU) together with Dr Mateusz Liziniewicz (Skogforsk). The project includes:

  • Performance of test populations of European ash in progeny trials in Sweden.
  • Chemotyping European and Asian Fraxinus to determine underlying host defence mechanisms associated with resistance against ash dieback.
  • Develop a protocol of hand-held FT-IR for real-time and rapid phenotyping of resistant trees (Cooperation with Prof. Pierluigi Bonello at Ohio State University).
  • Testing selected ash dieback-resistant genotype for susceptibility to Emeral Ash Borer (Cooperation with Donnie Peterson).