Publication Date
Fall 2024
Abstract
Fungal leaf endophytes(FLE) are microorganisms that live in the leaf tissues of plants, influencing plant health, growth, and stress resistance. The prairie ecosystem, with its diverse flora, provides an ideal environment for studying the symbiotic relationships between endophytes and plants.
In recent years, the invasive species Lespedeza cuneata has become increasingly prevalent, continuously invading native prairie communities. The Phillips Tract Research Area (PHRE), a prairie established in 2018 for research purposes, has also been invaded by L. cuneata. PHRE was designed to investigate the impact of pesticide drift on prairie restoration. Despite various management efforts, L. cuneata has persistently invaded the area.
This invasion presents an opportunity to study the interactions between invasive and native species. Our research focuses on comparing the fungal leaf endophytes of L. cuneata and native prairie plants to understand the differences in fungal endophyte communities. This understanding may shed light on the ecological impact of the invasive species and its reasons for success.
Rights
Copyright is owned by Parkland College.
Recommended Citation
Martinez, Ilyana; Zeitzer, Ilana Fay; Brown, Noah; and Yannarell, Anthony, "Fungal Endophytes in Native Prairie Plants vs. Lespedeza cuneata" (2024). Parkland Science Scholars. 9.
https://spark.parkland.edu/science_scholars/9
