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Filling research gaps to improve the management of Phytophthora root rot

Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (EST)  

Dr. Gary Chastagner – Washington State University

Dr. Chastagner will review the Phytophthora life cycle, discuss conditions that favor disease development, explore the tolerance of trees species to Phytophthora Root Rot, and share the preliminary results of fungicide research and future research ideas. 

Christmas Tree Genetic Improvement Through Identification of Stress Defense Mechanisms

Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Dr Philipp Zerbe – University of California Davis

Dr. Zerbe will present his research developing a comprehensive map of gene targets enabling precision breeding to build stress resistance mechanisms and aroma metabolism in fir trees. By integrating these genomic tools into breeding programs, the time required to develop improved Christmas tree varieties can be reduced from 25–30 years to under a decade, significantly improving productivity and profitability for U.S. growers while helping the industry adapt to future environmental pressures.

Register for the live session (where you can ask questions) at:https://events.anr.msu.edu/RCTBwinter26/. The webinars will be recorded and made available on the RCTB website as well.

RCTB Research Project Showcase

This year RCTB invested more than $168,234 in six projects. In the coming weeks, RCTB will share short synopses of each of the research projects. The first is below.

Effectiveness of fungicides in reducing Phytophthora root rot losses in Christmas tree Plantations — Washington State University — Dr. Marianne Elliot and Dr. Gary Chastagner

Managing Phytophthora root rot (PRR) in noble and Fraser fir plantations is a significant challenge for U.S. Christmas tree growers. Chemical fungicides offer a potential solution to managing PRR, but there is limited research on fungicides’ efficacy and residual activity in conifers. Washington State University aims to evaluate the top-performing fungicides for their effectiveness in protecting noble and Fraser fir seedlings from PRR and reducing disease severity in infected plants. The objectives include evaluating root dips versus soil drenches and foliar applications, comparing spring and fall applications, and testing post-infection treatments to provide critical data on the efficacy and optimal timing of fungicide treatments for managing PRR.