WASHINGTON - Scientists at the University of Delaware (UD) have discovered that changing climate is making the tall, tasseled reed Phragmites australis, a ’super weed’, more powerful that it has become one of the most invasive plants in the United States.
The UD research team found that Phragmites delivers a one-two chemical knock-out punch to snuff out its victims, and the poison becomes even more toxic in the presence of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
The study is believed to be the first to report the effects of UV-B radiation on plant allelopathy, the production of toxins by a plant to ward off encroachment by neighboring plants.
The research was conducted in Delaware wetlands and in the lab of Harsh Bais, assistant professor of plant and soil sciences, at the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, a major center for life sciences research at the University of Delaware.
“The toxin secreted by Phragmites is degraded by sunlight — ultraviolet rays — and causes severe deleterious effects on other native plants,” Bais said.
“Our research also addresses the growing questions of increased UV-B incidences because of global warming and its ultimate effect on plants. In this case, an invasive plant is accidentally utilizing the changed global conditions for its survival and invasion,” Bais noted.
Two years ago, Bais led a study which discovered that Phragmites actively secretes gallic acid to kill off plants and take over new turf.
Gallic acid, also known as 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, is used for tanning leather, making dyes and inks, and formulating astringents, among other applications.
In this research, the scientists found that the gallic acid released by Phragmites is degraded by ultraviolet light to produce another toxin, mesoxalic acid, effectively hitting susceptible plants and seedlings with a double-whammy.
According to Bais, the mesoxalic acid triggers a similar “cellular death cascade” in victim plants as gallic acid does, destroying the tubulin and actin, the structural protein in the roots, within minutes of exposure.
The scientific team detected the biological concentrations of mesoxalic acid in Delaware wetlands, in stands of both exotic and native Phragmites australis.
The study highlights the persistence of the photo-degraded phytotoxin, particularly potent in the exotic species of the plant, and its enhanced effects against the native species of Phragmites, which is becoming increasingly endangered in the United States. (ANI)
Related News
Obama's top energy adviser says no way Congress can pass climate change bill this yearOctober 2nd, 2009 Obama adviser says no climate change law this yearWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's top energy adviser says there is no way Congress will be able to pass a bill on climate change this year. "That's not going to happen," the adviser, Carol Browner, said Friday.
Planets have to be about the size of Earth to be conducive for lifeSeptember 7th, 2009 LONDON - In a new research, it has been determined that rocky worlds have to be about the size of Earth to be conducive for life. According to a report in New Scientist, the discovery of extrasolar super-Earths - rocky planets about five to ten times the mass of Earth - has raised hopes that some may harbour life.
Global warming may make sea level rise between 7- 82 cm by century endJuly 28th, 2009 WASHINGTON - New predictions indicate that the amount of sea level rise by the end of this century will be between 7- 82 cm - depending on the amount of warming that occurs. Placing limits on the amount of sea level rise over the next century is one of the most pressing challenges for climate scientists.
Weed killers can improve nutritional value of important food cropJuly 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new study, scientists have obtained first evidence that the use of weed killers in farmers' fields boosts the nutritional value of an important food crop. The study determined that the application of two common herbicides to several varieties of sweet corn significantly increased the amount of key nutrients termed carotenoids in the corn kernels.
New class of medium sized black holes foundJuly 6th, 2009 LONDON - Astronomers have come by the first solid evidence of a new class of medium sized black holes, with more than 500 times the sun's mass, in a distant galaxy. This new source, identified as HLX-1 (Hyper-Luminous X-ray source 1), lies towards the edge of the galaxy ESO 243-49.
Super-size deposits of frozen carbon in Arctic a growing threat to climateJuly 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has estimated that the vast amount of carbon stored in the arctic and boreal regions of the world is more than double that previously estimated, which raises new concerns over the role of the northern regions as future sources of greenhouse gases. "We now estimate the deposits contain over 1.5 trillion tons of frozen carbon, about twice as much carbon as contained in the atmosphere," said Dr.
Geithner: Federal Reserve is best suited to be super financial regulatorJune 18th, 2009 Geithner: Fed best suited for super regulator roleWASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says the Federal Reserve is best suited to become a super-regulator that would oversee financial firms so big and influential that their failure could topple the economy. Some lawmakers want to give the job to a council of regulators.
El Nino climate condition could develop this summer, forecasters sayJune 8th, 2009 Forecasters say El Nino may be developingWASHINGTON — A new El Nino could be approaching. Sea-surface temperatures have been warming in the tropical Pacific Ocean, suggesting the potential for the development of the El Nino climate phenomenon this summer, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Now, effects of changing climate on sheep can be mathematically predictedMay 31st, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, it has been proven that the effects of a changing climate on a population of bighorn sheep can be mathematically predicted. Researchers from Germany, the US, and Mexico studied a population of bighorn sheep introduced to Tiburon island, Mexico, in 1975.
Changing climate make mockingbirds better singersMay 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Mockingbirds tend to sing fancier tunes with changing climate, say researchers. The research team from the National Evolutionary Synthesis Centre (NESCent), the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and McGill University showed that species in more variable climes also sing complex tunes.
Sediments deposited in oceans by major Arctic rivers hold clues to future global climateMay 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has suggested that sediments deposited in the ocean by major Arctic rivers may hold clues to understand how Earth's climate will change in the next few decades. The study was carried out by geoscientists at The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A and M University, US.
Fire an integral part of global climate change, say scientistsApril 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new study, scientists have determined that fire must be accounted for as an integral part of global climate change. The study identifies significant contributions of fire to climate change and identifies feedbacks between fire and climate change.
'Super reefs' near East Africa can fend off climate changeApril 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has suggested that some coral reefs off East Africa are unusually resilient to climate change, and can be termed as 'super reefs'. The study, conducted by researchers at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), showed that the reefs have become super tough due to improved fisheries management and a combination of geophysical factors.
Plants could override climate change effects on wildfiresApril 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has suggested that in some cases, changes in the types of plants growing in an area could override the effects of climate change on wildfire frequency. Philip Higuera of Montana State University and his colleagues show that although changing temperatures and moisture levels set the stage for changes in wildfire frequency, they can often be trumped by changes in the distribution and abundance of plants.
Changing climate will lead to devastating loss of phosphorus from soilApril 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, scientists have found climate change will lead to a devastating loss of phosphorus from soil. The research was done by scientists from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)-funded North Wyke Research.
Loading ...