Scientists have developed a fast-track method to breed disease-resistant ash trees, offering hope against the ash dieback epidemic. Ash dieback, a fungus first confirmed in Britain in 2012, threatens up to 80 per cent of the UK's ash population.
Rapid Seed Germination Technique
Researchers at the John Innes Centre in Norwich created a rapid seed germination technique, reducing the process from years to approximately one week in the lab. The method involves carefully extracting the embryo from the seed and placing it on a nutrient jelly, bypassing natural dormancy cycles.
Promising Results
This innovation has already produced over 2,000 seedlings for trials and could be adapted for use by landowners, conservationists, and gardeners to restore ash populations. The breakthrough offers a practical solution to combat the devastating disease that has been destroying ash trees across the country.
