Dissertation Research: Effects of Fungal Infection on Nassella leucotricha

论文研究：真菌感染对白毛单胞菌的影响

• 批准号: 0104947
• 负责人: Norma Fowler
• 金额: $ 0.53万
• 依托单位: University of Texas at Austin
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2001
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2001-05-15 至 2004-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0104947&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissertation; Research; Effects; Fungal; Infection

Texas wintergrass (Nassella leucotricha), a common rangeland grass, is frequently infected by a fungus (Atkinsonella texensis) that sterilizes the plant. Infected plants, however, may grow faster and be more likely to survive than uninfected plants. This study will determine whether this is true, by testing three different hypotheses: (a) The fungus may directly cause infected plants to grow faster and be more likely to survive. (b) Infected plants may recover from being eaten by insects better than uninfected plants, perhaps because they are larger. (c) Infection may make a plant less likely to be eaten by insects, perhaps because the fungus produces distasteful chemicals. This study will also test whether fungal infection affects a plant's ability to compete with other plants for light, water, and nutrients. Although fungi probably play very important roles in natural ecosystems, their roles are poorly known; this study will help fill this gap.

得克萨斯州冬草（Nassella leucotricha），一种常见的牧场草，经常被一种真菌（Atkinsonella texensis）感染，这种真菌会使植物绝育。 然而，受感染的植物可能比未受感染的植物生长得更快，更有可能存活。 这项研究将通过测试三种不同的假设来确定这是否属实：（a）真菌可能直接导致受感染的植物生长得更快，更有可能存活。 (b)受感染的植物可能比未受感染的植物更好地从昆虫吃掉中恢复过来，这可能是因为它们更大。 (c)感染可能使植物不太可能被昆虫吃掉，也许是因为真菌产生令人厌恶的化学物质。 这项研究还将测试真菌感染是否会影响植物与其他植物竞争光、水和营养的能力。 虽然真菌可能在自然生态系统中发挥着非常重要的作用，但人们对它们的作用知之甚少;这项研究将有助于填补这一空白。