The Effects of Light on ±-Catechin’s Inhibition of Idaho Fescue’s Root Growth
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom B/C/D
Start Date
21-5-2015
End Date
21-5-2015
Keywords
Allelopathy, Catechin, Invasive Plants
Abstract
Spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), a common invasive plant in the Pacific Northwest, produces the racemic chemical ±-Catechin. Current research suggests that ±-Catechin inhibits root growth in Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), a common native bunch grass. These findings suggest that competition between these two species results in a negative fitness and diminished ecological success of Idaho fescue. This phenomenon of one species’ chemical exudate affecting another species’ fitness is known as allelopathy. Current allelopathic research is conducted in the dark to highlight any differential growth between control and experimental groups due to the over-expression of gibberellin hormones resulting in etiolation. It is difficult to simulate environmental conditions completely, and it is unknown if energy input through photosynthesis would affect ±-Catechin’s inhibition of Idaho fescue root elongation. Therefore, we will investigate if ±-Catechin’s allelopathic effects are mitigated by the input of energy by replicating previous ±-Catechin research under similar conditions and using light as the experimental variable. Using germination paper, three replicates of 120 Idaho fescue seeds that will be placed into rows and grown in solutions of (±)-Catechin at concentrations of 20 ppm. After two weeks, root length will be analyzed for significant differences between these experiments in the light and previous experiments conducted in the dark. Results of this research will be invaluable in understanding the ecological interactions of spotted knapweed on native plants and help current research more accurately replicate environmental conditions in a laboratory setting.
Recommended Citation
Clark, Sarah and Seiler, Ian, "The Effects of Light on ±-Catechin’s Inhibition of Idaho Fescue’s Root Growth" (2015). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 32.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2015/posters/32
Poster Number
39
Department/Program
Biological Sciences
Additional Mentoring Department
Biological Sciences
The Effects of Light on ±-Catechin’s Inhibition of Idaho Fescue’s Root Growth
SURC Ballroom B/C/D
Spotted knapweed (Centaurea stoebe), a common invasive plant in the Pacific Northwest, produces the racemic chemical ±-Catechin. Current research suggests that ±-Catechin inhibits root growth in Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), a common native bunch grass. These findings suggest that competition between these two species results in a negative fitness and diminished ecological success of Idaho fescue. This phenomenon of one species’ chemical exudate affecting another species’ fitness is known as allelopathy. Current allelopathic research is conducted in the dark to highlight any differential growth between control and experimental groups due to the over-expression of gibberellin hormones resulting in etiolation. It is difficult to simulate environmental conditions completely, and it is unknown if energy input through photosynthesis would affect ±-Catechin’s inhibition of Idaho fescue root elongation. Therefore, we will investigate if ±-Catechin’s allelopathic effects are mitigated by the input of energy by replicating previous ±-Catechin research under similar conditions and using light as the experimental variable. Using germination paper, three replicates of 120 Idaho fescue seeds that will be placed into rows and grown in solutions of (±)-Catechin at concentrations of 20 ppm. After two weeks, root length will be analyzed for significant differences between these experiments in the light and previous experiments conducted in the dark. Results of this research will be invaluable in understanding the ecological interactions of spotted knapweed on native plants and help current research more accurately replicate environmental conditions in a laboratory setting.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Clay Arango