Oral Presentations
To what extent do soil characteristics mitigate the effects of herbicide on plant germination?
Presentation Type
Presentation
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Cara Nelson
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Invasive species negatively affect biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, and the economy, making invasive plant control a major emphasis of managing natural areas. Herbicides are a low-cost and effective method for invasive plant control but can adversely affect the germination of non-target native plants. However, the impact of herbicides on native seed is likely mitigated by soil characteristics, such as soil texture and the amount of litter. To date, these factors have not been included in assessments of the effects of herbicide on germination. In this experiment, I assessed the influence of soil texture and litter depths on rates of germination and biomass of the native plant species Gaillardia aristata (blanket flower) in soils sprayed with herbicide. Specifically, I set up a greenhouse experiment that includes treatment combinations of distinct soil textures (sandy or silt soils) and litter depths (no litter or 2 cm). The pots were treated with Milestone (active ingredient, aminopyralid), and then seeds were planted in the pots. Germination and biomass were measured after 5 weeks. (NO RESULTS YET). Findings will inform restoration practitioners how herbicide use may impact a non-target native plant depending on how soil characteristics vary in the field. By understanding how soil characteristics may mitigate the effects of herbicide on native plants, restoration practitioners can modify their invasive species management and native plant seeding techniques in landscapes where soil characteristics may vary.
Category
Life Sciences
To what extent do soil characteristics mitigate the effects of herbicide on plant germination?
UC 331
Invasive species negatively affect biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, and the economy, making invasive plant control a major emphasis of managing natural areas. Herbicides are a low-cost and effective method for invasive plant control but can adversely affect the germination of non-target native plants. However, the impact of herbicides on native seed is likely mitigated by soil characteristics, such as soil texture and the amount of litter. To date, these factors have not been included in assessments of the effects of herbicide on germination. In this experiment, I assessed the influence of soil texture and litter depths on rates of germination and biomass of the native plant species Gaillardia aristata (blanket flower) in soils sprayed with herbicide. Specifically, I set up a greenhouse experiment that includes treatment combinations of distinct soil textures (sandy or silt soils) and litter depths (no litter or 2 cm). The pots were treated with Milestone (active ingredient, aminopyralid), and then seeds were planted in the pots. Germination and biomass were measured after 5 weeks. (NO RESULTS YET). Findings will inform restoration practitioners how herbicide use may impact a non-target native plant depending on how soil characteristics vary in the field. By understanding how soil characteristics may mitigate the effects of herbicide on native plants, restoration practitioners can modify their invasive species management and native plant seeding techniques in landscapes where soil characteristics may vary.