Enhance biological control of emerald ASH borer and establish an ASH propagation program from LI ngering (resistant) ASH rootstock in north carolina

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded North Carolina State University a $163,913 Cooperative Agreement on July 1, 2026, to enhance biological control of emerald ash borer and establish an ash propagation program using lingering resistant ash rootstock in North Carolina.

The recipient will continue monitoring natural enemies of emerald ash borer and assess ash health at established field sites. North Carolina State University will establish a North Carolina Ash Propagation Center, creating a clone bank to preserve genotypes of lingering ash, and will develop an outreach program to increase discovery of lingering ash across the region. Deliverables include field data on natural enemy establishment, ash health, and emerald ash borer population density; establishment of the propagation center; and outreach materials to locate lingering ash. The work directly supports Plant Protection and Quarantine's emerald ash borer mitigation efforts in the Southern United States and benefits foresters, city planners, and researchers who will access the propagation center's preserved genetic resources.

The award period runs through June 30, 2027, with all work performed in North Carolina.

This will improve plant protection and quarantine's ability to mitigate emerald ASH borer in the southern united states. Activities to be performed: the recipient will continue monitoring efforts for natural enemies of emerald ASH borer and will assess ASH health at established field sites. The recipient will also establish a north carolina ASH propagation center, creating a clone bank to preserve genotypes of lingering ASH, and will develop an outreach program to increase discovery of lingering ASH. Deliverables and expected outcomes: expected deliverables include field data on natural enemy establishment, ASH health, and emerald ASH borer population density; establishment of a north carolina ASH propagation center; and development of outreach materials to locate lingering ASH. Intended beneficiary(IES): plant protection and quarantine's emerald ASH borer program will benefit from continued collection of field data. Foresters, city planners, and researchers in the southern united states will benefit from the establishment of a north carolina ASH propagation center.