Episode 2

Ep. 2. Great Basin Bristlecone Pine vs the Pine Killer

The mountain pine beetle is a devastating pest of pine forests in the west coast of North America. The beetle will bore into and kill healthy trees, much like the Emerald Ash Borer that has recently been detected in Texas. In this episode, we explore how one tree species, the bristlecone pine, is able to defend against the mountain pine beetle.

Full citation of article discussed:

Bentz, B.J., Hood, S.M., Hansen, E.M., Vandygriff, J.C. and Mock, K.E. (2017), Defense traits in the longā€lived Great Basin bristlecone pine and resistance to the native herbivore mountain pine beetle. New Phytol, 213: 611-624. doi:10.1111/nph.14191

About the Podcast

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Jolly Green Scientists
Digesting scientific research relevant to the green industry

About your hosts

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Erfan Vafaie

I'm an entomologist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, based out of Overton, Texas (U.S.A.). I conduct research and educational programming on integrative pest management of ornamental and nursery crops, working mainly with producers and other green industry professionals. My online 'pseudonym' is the SixLeggedAggie.
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Vikram Baliga

I'm the manager of the University Teaching and Research Greenhouse and Horticultural Gardens at Texas Tech University. I also serve as an instructor of horticulture in the Department of Plant and Soil Science and I'm a long-time and active science communicator. I'm also a thunderous plant nerd.