Abstract Detail

Phytochemical Section

Holcomb , Rebecca A [1], Park, JJ [2], Gargouri, Mahmoud [2], He, Ruifeng [2], Gang, David [3].

Elucidating the Mechanism for Invasiveness in Phragmites australis.

North America’s wetlands are endangered by a new invasive variety of a marsh grass called Common Reed (Phragmites australis), which consists of many native varieties and the introduced invasive variety. While plants employ a variety of competitive strategies, it is likely the Common Reed is utilizing an allelopathic approach to outcompete the native varieties and other native grasses. In order to elucidate this potential mechanism, Common Reed samples of native and invasive populations will be collected and analyzed for these allelopathic compounds via analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. A comparative approach will be employed in which metabolite profiles from native and invasive should be different and yield clues as to potential compounds. Little work has been done to understand allelopathy in a field setting. Most work has been done in laboratory of greenhouse environment. This project will use novel approaches to determine the potential allelopathic compound and understand the invasive mechanism of Phragmites australis. The outcomes of this project directly impact society in several ways. First, if an allelopathic compound is found, a new herbicide could be developed from this compound. This project will also directly impact public policy for elimination or control of invasive P. australis. The current governmental protocol is to eradicate P. australis if it exists in your jurisdiction, regardless if it is a native or invasive population. This is not only an uninformed decision but harmful if the population in question is native P. australis. Thus, mapping populations of P. australis in all of these areas will greatly benefit those local governmental policy decisions. This project will not only benefit the Pacific Northwest, but potentially the Eastern seaboard as well, much of which has been heavily impacted by the invasive P. australis.

1 - Washington State University, Institute of Biological Chemistry, 1630 NE Valley RD #N103, Pullman, Washington, 99163, United States
2 - 1630 NE Valley RD #N103, Pullman, Washington, 99163, United States
3 - Washington State University, Institute Of Biological Chemistry, Clark Hall 299, PO Box 646340, Pullman, WA, 99164-6340, USA

Keywords:
allelopathy
Phragmites australis.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PPH005
Abstract ID:522
Candidate for Awards:None