Characterization of Knotweed Using PCR-RFLP

Presenter

Zachary Alexander Colby

Campus

Greenfield Community College

Sponsor

Amanda LM Hyde, Department of Biology, Greenfield Community College

Schedule

Session 1, 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A14, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 1 (A1-A20) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Knotweed describes 3 species (Reynoutria japonica, R. bohemia, R. sachalinensis) of highly invasive plants in the buckwheat family that have caused significant damage to riparian areas globally. Knotweed's powerful growth cracks through concrete foundations and can devalue property by hundreds of thousands of dollars (Brindle, 2023). Control of invasive knotweed is nearly impossible due to its tendency to grow in dense and resilient monocultures. The only economically viable option for a hearty infestation is biocontrol. Currently the knotweed psyllid (Aphalara itadori) is the only biological control agent approved for knotweed, but its establishment in the Northeastern US has not met expectations. We hypothesize that our knotweed populations may be predominantly composed of hybrid bohemian knotweed, not the Japanese knotweed that is being identified. The two are morphologically similar and DNA analysis could classify our local populations more accurately. The purpose of this study is to identify the genetic makeup of the local knotweed population. We will use PCR-RFLP to confirm the species that makes up our population, allowing us to identify psyllids more suitable for our local knotweed infestations. This data could be used to find a specific strain of psyllid with the potential to establish more vigorously than previously attempted strains of psyllid. A suitable psyllid could reduce knotweed density enough to allow native flora to take back infested riparian areas in the northeastern US.

Keywords

Riparian, PCR-RFLP, Psyllid , Knotweed

Research Area

Environment Effects on Ecosystems

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