DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The Effects Of Total and Proportional Densities On Patterns Of Associational Resistance: Reconsidering A Classic Pattern In Nature As A Dynamic Phenomenon

邻近的植物有时会影响相关植物(农作物或杂草)遭受的虫害程度。这种现象(“联合效应”)是一些农业和林业害虫管理战略的基础，可能通过多种机制发生。例如，邻近的植物可能会散发出驱赶昆虫的气味，或者吸引以昆虫为食的捕食者。尽管可能性很多，但我们对这些具体机制是如何运作的，以及对植物群落的长期影响知之甚少。在之前的研究中，观察到了两种常见杂草植物(卡罗莱纳马尾草和高大黄花)之间的联合效应。这项研究将研究黄花邻居如何影响昆虫对马尾松的危害，重点研究四种可能的机制。这项研究的结果将有助于进行一项更大规模的研究，研究虫害如何影响植物(如杂草马尾草)在其他植物群落中的持久性。了解邻近植物影响虫害的机制可能会导致更有效地管理杂草(我们可能想要增加虫害)和农作物(我们可能想要减少虫害)。结果将通过研讨会、时事通讯和研讨会在当地农业试验站和周围的大学向农业研究人员和农民展示。

Neighboring plants can sometimes influence the amount of insect damage experienced by plants of interest (crops or weeds). This phenomenon ("associational effects") is the basis for some pest management strategies in agriculture and forestry and might occur through many mechanisms. For instance, neighboring plants may emit smells that repel insects, or attract predators that feed on insects. Although the possibilities are numerous, we understand little about how these specific mechanisms operate and the long-term consequences for plant communities. In a previous study, associational effects were observed between two common weedy plants (Carolina horsenettle and Tall goldenrod). This study will examine how goldenrod neighbors influence insect damage to horsenettle, focusing on four possible mechanisms. Results from this study will contribute to a larger study examining how insect pests influence the persistence of plants (such as the weedy horsenettle) in a community of other plants. Understanding the mechanisms by which neighboring plants influence insect damage may lead to more effective management of weeds (where we may want to increase insect damage) and crops (where we may want to reduce insect damage). Results will be presented to agricultural researchers and farmers through seminars, newsletters, and workshops at the local agricultural experiment station and surrounding universities.