European Researchers Develop One-Week Laboratory Germination Method to Combat Ash Dieback Crisis

John Innes Centre researchers use embryo extraction to speed up ash tree breeding, helping restore populations resistant to the deadly ash dieback fungus.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 9:25 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert

Accelerated Propagation of Threatened Forest Species

Conservation efforts for the European ash have received a major boost following the adaptation of an embryo extraction method that bypasses natural seed dormancy. In the wild, ash seeds often require multiple years of seasonal stratification before they begin to grow, but laboratory interventions now allow this process to occur within a single week. This breakthrough, documented by researchers at the John Innes Centre, has already facilitated the production of over 2,000 seedlings specifically targeted for disease resistance research and reforestation trials.

Bypassing Natural Dormancy via Embryo Extraction

The specialized technique involves the manual removal of the embryo from its protective seed coat using precision tools. Once extracted, the embryo is placed on an agar nutrient jelly, providing an ideal environment for immediate growth. According to Dr. Elizabeth Orton, the study's lead author, this method effectively circumvents the two to three years typically required for germination in natural settings. By removing the physical barriers of the seed case, scientists can transition these "slow starters" into viable seedlings ready for compost transplantation within approximately 14 days of laboratory culture.

Restoring Genetic Diversity to the European Landscape

While cloning and grafting have been used to preserve specific resistant trees, propagation from seed remains the gold standard for maintaining the high genetic diversity necessary for long-term species survival. Genetic variety provides the best defense against evolving pests and changing climatic conditions. The rapid germination protocol allows for the efficient creation of large seed orchards, such as the new site at Wendling Beck in Norfolk. These orchards are populated with trees selected for their visible resistance to dieback, with the goal of producing a self-sustaining generation of hardy offspring.