On a dark stormy night, a strong wind broke a twig. The gardener didn’t think much about it, because the wound would be gone in 2 weeks. Or would it? Unbeknownst to the gardener a micrometer sized spore landed on the wound. Thanks to Cryphonectria the tree defences were weakened, inviting Ambrosia beetles to the party. The ten fungi and bacteria hitch-hiking on the Ambrosia beetles quickly made the wound their home. Six weeks later, the gardener checked on his trees and noticed that what was once a spot was now a major infection. The arrival of the necrotroph feasting on dead tissue signalled the final nail in the woody coffin. It wasn’t long before what was known as a majestic tree, was reduced to nothing more than a hollow stump.
Help the gardener investigate what happened to his tree.
You are tasked to simulate the death of the gardener’s tree. For this mission you will be equipped with the following:
- Your own trees
- PCR equipment
- Fungal inoculums
- Experts help [Consultants (grade 11s)].
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