Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) Analysis of Head Smut Population Diversity

Authors

Jennifer Waters, Brigham Young University
Dr. Mikel R. Stevens, Brigham Young University

Keywords

Bromus tectorum, cheatgrass, AFLP, amplified fragment length polymorphism, head smut

College

Life Sciences

Department

Plant and Wildlife Sciences

Abstract

Bromus tectorum (cheatgrass), an invasive winter annual weed, displaces native vegetation, invades crops, and fuels rangeland fires across approximately 40 million hectares of the Intermountain West. Most attempts to control the weed have been unsuccessful, leading to a search for a biological control agent. Ustilago bullata, head smut, is a natural species-specific, fungal pathogen of cheatgrass. Despite apparent phenotypic (physical) uniformity in cheatgrass and head smut, susceptibility and virulence, respectively, are variable. These findings led to the hypothesis that genetic variability for susceptibility/pathogenicity exists in the host and pathogen.

Recommended Citation

Waters, Jennifer and Stevens, Dr. Mikel R. (2014) "Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) Analysis of Head Smut Population Diversity," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014: Iss. 1, Article 975.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/975