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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 35(11)

A molecular approach to understanding plant–plant interactions in the context of invasion biology

Amanda K. Broz A B , Daniel K. Manter C , Ragan M. Callaway D , Mark W. Paschke E and Jorge M. Vivanco A B F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Center for Rhizosphere Biology, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.

B Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.

C United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Station, Soil-Plant-Nutrient Research Unit, Fort Collins, CO 80526, USA.

D Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.

E Forest Rangeland and Watershed Stewardship Department, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.

F Corresponding author. Email: j.vivanco@colostate.edu

Functional Plant Biology 35(11) 1123-1134 https://doi.org/10.1071/FP08155
Submitted: 24 May 2008  Accepted: 5 August 2008   Published: 28 November 2008

Abstract

Competition is a major determinant of plant community structure, and can influence the size and reproductive fitness of a species. Therefore, competitive responses may arise from alterations in gene expression and plant function when an individual is confronted with new competitors. This study explored competition at the level of gene expression by hybridising transcripts from Centaurea maculosa Lam., one of North America’s most invasive exotic plant species, to an Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh microarray chip. Centaurea was grown in competition with Festuca idahoensis Elmer, a native species that generally has weak competitive effects against Centaurea; Gaillardia aristata Pursh, a native species that tends to be a much stronger competitor against Centaurea; and alone (control). Some transcripts were induced or repressed to a similar extent regardless of the plant neighbour grown with Centaurea. Other transcripts showed differential expression that was specific to the competitor species, possibly indicating a species-specific aspect of the competitive response of Centaurea. These results are the first to identify genes in an invasive plant that are induced or repressed by plant neighbours and provide a new avenue of insight into the molecular aspects of plant competitive ability.

Additional keywords: Centaurea maculosa Lam., cross-species hybridisation, invasive weed, knapweed, microarray, plant competition.


Acknowledgements

These studies were partially funded by the National Science Foundation (grants IBN 0335203 and MCB-0542642 to J.M.V.), USA Department of Defence-SERDP (grant CS1388 to J.M.V, R.M.C. and M.W.P.), the United States Department of Agriculture – CSREES WRIPM (grant 2005-34103-16108 to M.W.P. and J.M.V.) and by funds provided by Colorado State University. Special thanks to Giles Thelen and Ann Hess for technical assistance.


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