The influence of rhizobacteria on the competition between native and invasive Lespedeza

Hu, Lingzi

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/42482 Copy

Description

Title

The influence of rhizobacteria on the competition between native and invasive Lespedeza

Author(s)

Hu, Lingzi

Issue Date

2013-02-03T19:47:19Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Yannarell, Anthony C.

Department of Study

Natural Res & Env Sci

Discipline

Natural Res & Env Sciences

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Lespedeza cuneata
• rhizobia
• rhizosphere bacteria
• plant invasion
• plant competition
• legume
• symbiosis

Abstract

In order to study the effect of bacteria from root nodules on plant competition, two greenhouse experiments were conducted. Seven rhizobia and five non-rhizobia rhizobacteria strains were used to determine how plant-microbe interactions affect the competition between invasive Lespedeza cuneata and its native relative, Lespedeza virginica. Different rhizobia strains showed different impacts on the competition between L. cuneata and L. virginica. A relatively fast-growing Mesorhizobium strain and one of the Rhizobium strains showed low nodulation rate and no significant effect on the two plant species. All three Bradyrhizobium strains and two of the Rhizobium strains showed positive effects on the growth of L. cuneata, but they do not have the effect on the growth of L. virginica, so I conclude that invasive L. cuneata benefited more from the plant-rhizobacteria symbiosis relationship. This result emphasizes the influence of belowground interactions on the aboveground community. The finding that rhizobacteria mutualism can support the invasion of L. cuneata provides another perspective to invasion studies of L. cuneata.

Graduation Semester

2012-12

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/42482

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2012 Lingzi Hu

Owning Collections