Justin Whitehill on Growing Better Christmas Trees with A GIFT SEED

GES Center Lectures, NC State University

A GIFT SEED: Accelerated Genetic Improvement of Fir Through Sequencing, Economics, Extension & Diagnostics

NC State's Justin Whitehill explores how cutting-edge research on fir genetics is helping Christmas tree growers tackle pests, pathogens, and climate challenges while strengthening a $2.5B industry.

A GIFT SEED is a newly funded USDA-NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative grant focused on accelerating genetic improvement of the most popular Fir (Abies spp.) Christmas tree species in North America. Fir account for 66%+ of the annual $2.5 billion US Christmas tree industry. The environmental impact of real versus artificial trees show a locally grown Christmas tree is the more sustainable choice as it can sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Optimization of Christmas tree farms as greenhouse gas sinks has potential to become a net-positive climate activity through incentivization of carbon offset programs. Planting genetically improved fir Christmas trees holds significant promise for the US Christmas tree industry to combat climate change and provide added value to farmers. Across the US, Christmas tree planting stock is derived from germplasm of unknown genetic origin. Therefore, the genetic value of extant planted materials cannot be determined using traditional tree breeding strategies. To address this concern, North Carolina has established a state-funded breeding program dedicated to genetic improvement of Fraser fir. The A GIFT SEED project aims is to extend genetic improvement capabilities, accelerate the domestication process, and deliver increased value to the US Christmas tree industry through a transdisciplinary, systems-based approach. The project is currently underway and expected to be completed in 2029. The project team is currently looking to hire undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and technical support to assist with the project. Here we present on the current state of Christmas tree genetics and genomic research activities with a focus on pest and pathogen resistance and development of tissue culture systems for evaluation of gene function in conifers. Related links:

• Transcriptome features of stone cell development in weevil-resistant and susceptible Sitka spruce, Whitehill et al., New Phytologist, 2023
• Download seminar poster

Dr. Justin Whitehill, PhD

Assistant Professor/Christmas Tree Genetics Program Director at North Carolina State University | Profile | LinkedIn Dr. Justin G. A. Whitehill is an assistant professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University. He leads the Christmas Tree Genetics program and co-Directs the Forest Biotechnology Group. He and his team are working to develop pest and pathogen resilient Christmas trees through genetic and genomic approaches. He also holds an appointment in the Genetics Faculty at NCSU. Dr. Whitehill’s research lab at NC State consists of six graduate students, two postdoctoral fellows, three research associates, one lab/project manager, and multiple undergraduate research assistants. He is a Goodnight Early Career Innovator and the project director for a $7.42 million USDA-NIFA Specialty Crop Research Initiative project aiming to bring genetic and genomic tools to the US Christmas tree industry. Ongoing research projects in the Whitehill lab focus on integrating traditional genetic improvement methods with advanced genomic sequencing technologies to accelerate conifer tree breeding programs. His team is tackling the most pressing issues facing Christmas tree production in the US including mortality induced by Phytophthora root rot disease, elongate hemlock scale, and browsing deer. Additionally, tissue culture techniques for elite Christmas tree germplasm are being developed to evaluate gene function and provide improved genetics more quickly to Christmas tree growers.

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