Disease-resistant elms host different microbes and DNA chemistry
Hoenicka H, Ulrich K, Haffner C, Starczak M, Gackowski D
Plant Signaling
If you've watched a stately elm die from Dutch elm disease in your neighborhood, this research points to the hidden microbial allies and DNA tweaks that let some elms shrug off the same fungus that kills others.
Dutch elm disease has been killing elm trees across Europe and North America for over a hundred years, but Chinese elm trees often resist it while European wych elms usually don't. Researchers looked at the bacteria, fungi, and lichens living on both tree types, plus chemical tags on their DNA and RNA, and found the resistant Chinese elm has noticeably different microbial neighbors and genetic markings. It's still a mystery exactly why this helps, but it gives scientists new leads for protecting elms in the future.
Key Findings
24 eukaryotic and 14 bacterial taxa were significantly more abundant in disease-resistant Chinese elm, including stress-protective Leotiomycetes fungi and Rhizobiales bacteria
Susceptible European wych elm showed 11 eukaryotic and 16 bacterial taxa enriched instead, including Nocardioides bacteria and Leptospora fungi
Chinese elm had elevated levels of epigenetic markers like 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2'-deoxycytidine in DNA and 5-methylcytidine and N6-methyladenosine in RNA compared to wych elm
chevron_right Technical Summary
Scientists compared the microbes and DNA/RNA chemistry of two elm species, one resistant to Dutch elm disease and one highly vulnerable, and found the resistant tree hosts different bacteria, fungi, and lichens along with distinct chemical markers on its genetic material, hinting at what might help it fend off the deadly fungus.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Microbiome analysis and epigenetic patterns revealed distinct differences between two elm species with contrasting Dutch elm disease resistance.
Dutch elm disease (DED), caused by the fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi, has devastated elm species in Europe and North America for over a century. While the Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia) frequently di...
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
Was this useful?
Want to tell us more? (optional)
Thanks for the note!
Something went wrong — please try again.
Too many submissions. Try again in an hour.
Street trees cut heat deaths by 39 percent in European cities
Trees in your local park or street aren't just pretty — they are literally keeping people alive during heatwaves, and planting even a modest number of the ri...
Ulmus parvifolia, commonly known as the Chinese elm or lacebark elm, is a species native to eastern Asia, including China, India, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Siberia, and Kazakhstan. It has been described as "one of the most splendid elms, having the poise of a graceful Nothofagus".