Scientists say genetic analysis could greatly speed restoration of iconic American chestnut
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A new study published in *Science* offers renewed hope for the restoration of the American chestnut tree, which was functionally extinct by the 1950s due to fungal blight and root rot. Researchers at The American Chestnut Foundation have found that genetic testing can identify trees most likely to resist disease and grow tall. This method aims to accelerate the breeding process, shortening the time needed to produce disease-resistant trees. The goal is to create a tree with the desirable traits of the American chestnut, such as its height and rapid growth, combined with the disease resistance of the Chinese chestnut. Scientists hope this will allow the American chestnut to once again thrive in its native range, stretching from Maine to Mississippi, within the coming decades.
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