Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
fungal pathogen, cheatgrass seedling death, dieoffs, Great Basin, bleach blond syndrome
College
Life Sciences
Department
Plant and Wildlife Sciences
Abstract
With the accidental introduction of B. tectorum into the Western United States came a massive shift in the ecosystem, resulting in complete monocultures of B. tectorum. Seed and seedling pathogens present in the soil are aware of the macroscopic change and are shifting their populations as well in order to take advantage of the new abundance of food. One of these soil borne pathogens leads the way by manipulating the cheatgrass plant into a thick dense mat of litter, a perfect microclimate for seed pathogens that follow. This microorganism is most closely related to the fungal grass pathogen Roetstomia henningsiana Stromatinia gladioli, and Sclerotinea homeocarpa. This pathogen on B. tectorum infects at the crown of the plant and causes premature death of the plant which ultimately leads to the plants inability to set seeds. The purpose of this project was to more specifically identify this pathogen and to recreate the disease effects in a greenhouse experiment.
Recommended Citation
Franke, JanaLynn and Geary, Dr. Brad
(2014)
"Fungal Pathogen Responsible for Cheatgrass Seedling Death in Dieoffs in the Great Basin: Bleach Blond Syndrome in the Great Basin,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014:
Iss.
1, Article 928.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/928