Genetic Analysis Could Accelerate Restoration of Iconic American Chestnut, Scientists Say

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Billions of American chestnut trees once blanketed the eastern United States, towering high and producing abundant nuts that were a staple food source. But the species was devastated by a fungal blight in the early 20th century, leaving only a few scattered survivors. Now, scientists say genetic analysis could help accelerate efforts to restore the iconic tree.

Why it matters

The American chestnut was a keystone species in eastern U.S. forests, providing food and habitat for numerous other plants and animals. Its near-extinction has had cascading ecological impacts. Successful restoration could help revive forest ecosystems and provide economic benefits through timber and nut production.

The details

Researchers believe advances in genomic tools could speed up the process of developing blight-resistant American chestnut trees, which has been an ongoing effort for decades. By identifying the specific genes that confer resistance, scientists may be able to more efficiently breed or genetically engineer trees that can thrive despite the fungal infection.

• The American chestnut was once the dominant tree species in eastern U.S. forests.
• A fungal blight devastated the species in the early 20th century, leaving only a few scattered survivors.

What’s next

Researchers continue to work on developing blight-resistant American chestnut trees through breeding and genetic engineering, with the goal of eventually reintroducing the species to its historic range.