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The Dynamics of Multiple Infection in Pyrenophora semeniperda

Explore the impact of co-infecting species and strains of fungi on the biocontrol potential of Pyrenophora semeniperda, a seed pathogen affecting cheatgrass, native to Eurasia and altering fire cycles in the U.S. Experiment, analyze stromata, and identify characteristics determining the response between strains. Results suggest minimal impact on biocontrol, with potential benefits in co-infection application.

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The Dynamics of Multiple Infection in Pyrenophora semeniperda

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  1. The Dynamics of Multiple Infection in Pyrenophora semeniperda Trevor Davis and Julie Beckstead, Gonzaga University, Department of Biology

  2. Cheatgrass Invasion • Native to Eurasia • Transported in crop seed • Found in all U.S. states • Outcompetes natives • Alters fire cycle • Persistent seedbank

  3. Pyrenophora semeniperda • Fungus: “BFOD” • Possible biocontrol • Naturally occurring • Seed Pathogen • Generalist • High infection and death rates in cheatgrass

  4. Multiple Infections • Species and strains • Common in nature • Complicated: competition, toxins, genetics, growth rate, virulence. • Varied response • May affect BFOD

  5. Research Questions • Will co-infecting species and strains of fungi reduce BFOD’s potential as a biocontrol? • What characteristics of two co-infectors’ relationship determines their response to one another?

  6. Materials and Methods • Double inoculation • Species and strains • Blotter-plate bioassays • Analyze seeds and stromata

  7. Experiment 1: Species

  8. Research Question • Will co-infecting species of fungi reduce BFOD’s potential as a biocontrol? Probably not.

  9. Experiment 2: Strains

  10. Research Question • Will co-infecting strains of fungi reduce BFOD’s potential as a biocontrol? No.

  11. Experiment 2 contd. Virulent Fast

  12. Research Question • What characteristics of two co-infectors’ relationship determines their response to one another? Virulence > Growth Rate

  13. Conclusions • Co-infectors will not affect BFOD’s performance as a biocontrol. • Minimal (<30% impact) • Reduction in virulence offset by high inoculum load • Inoculation combined with other methods

  14. Conclusions contd. • Co-infections may be useful • Combine strains for application • Example: virulent kills, fast-growing “eats” • Lessens risk of non-target death • Location-specific genotypes

  15. Acknowledgements • Dr. Julie Beckstead • Dr. Susan Meyer • Dr. David Boose • Dr. Ann Kennedy • Sandra Dooley • Laura Street • Kellene Bergen • Lindsay Poston • Lauren Miller • Kristina Bair • Stephen Harrison

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