article

SBGlasshouseweb

Securing the future of important trees with new ways to grow from cuttings

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Researchers are developing new techniques to grow trees from cuttings to secure the future of important species of trees and combat destructive diseases.

Scientists from the University of Nottingham have been awarded funding by the Forestry Commission to investigate new methods for delivering the hormone Auxin to roots to improve the success of propagation from cuttings.

The project is part of the Forestry Commission’s Tree Production Innovation Fund (TPIF) launched to support innovative projects that will enhance the quantity, quality and diversity of tree planting stock available for planting in England.

Assistant Professor Amanda Rasmussen from the University of Nottingham is leading the research, she explains: “Creating new plants from cuttings is widely used for garden and commercial plant production because it’s quicker than seed-raising and often results in more stress resistant plants. This makes cutting propagation an excellent way to produce high numbers of environmentally resilient trees.

“However, some trees are challenging to propagate by cuttings. Oak and Ash – important UK trees for wood products – are proving challenging. Despite many years of work on Oak, grafting is still used to obtain better trees for breeding purposes. This is problematic, with some genotypes never taking successfully. For Ash cutting success is even lower than Oak but if we are to rescue Ash as a forestry species, multiplication of dieback-resistant lines is crucial.”

Ash dieback is a lethal disease caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. It represents a substantial threat both to the UK’s forests and to amenity trees growing in parks and gardens. It was detected in the UK for the first time in 2012 and is now very widespread.

Working in collaboration with lead researchers on Ash dieback resistance trials (NIAB-EMR) the University of Nottingham led team will use pharmaceutical controlled release technology to develop new timed release hormone capsules. They will also trial a new fungi treatment to help seedling establishment through better nutrient foraging and improved stress signalling.

Dr Rasmussen adds: “Currently pharmaceutical drug delivery technologies are not used for tree propagation. However, the technology exists for medical purposes and could be applied to cuttings as an alternative to traditional hormone dips. This research will build on a pilot study where we started to adapt this for use in plants. This project will directly benefit Oak and Ash propagation industries through optimised techniques and secure the future of these beautiful British trees.”

The cuttings will be cultivated in a new polytunnel at the University of Nottingham’s Sutton Bonington campus and advanced computing technology will be used to create 3D images of the roots to show how the treatments impact cellular root development stages and fungal interactions.

Story credits

More information is available from Dr Amanda Rasmussen on Amanda.rasmussen@nottingham.ac.uk

janeicke
Jane Icke - Media Relations Manager Science
Email: jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
Phone: 0115 7486462
Location:

Notes to editors:

About the University of Nottingham

Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.

Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.

The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.

We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.

More news…

Media Relations - External Relations

The University of Nottingham
YANG Fujia Building
Jubilee Campus
Wollaton Road
Nottingham, NG8 1BB

telephone: +44 (0) 115 951 5798
email: pressoffice@nottingham.ac.uk