Assessing the evolutionary history, taxonomy, and genetic diversity of Pueraria (Fabaceae: tribe Phaseoleae)

葛根（Pueraria montana var. lobata）是美国一种有害的入侵杂草，对当地生物多样性构成重大威胁。自从130年前被引进以来，这种豆科植物已经吞噬了数千平方英里的土地，在根除措施上花费了数百万美元。考虑到它的经济和生态影响，令人惊讶的是，它的研究不足。该项目将整合来自四个亚洲国家的公民科学家、研究生和本科生以及合作科学家的努力，研究葛根属的进化历史、分类和遗传多样性，以了解葛根物种群的入侵性，并确定葛根物种与其他豆类的关系，包括几种具有经济重要性的豆类，如大豆（Glycine max）和豆薯（Pachyrhizus erosus）。广泛的田野调查将与遗传和地理分析相结合，以确定在美国发生了多少葛的引进，来自什么遗传来源，以及葛根物种和种群内部和之间的遗传多样性和相互作用如何影响范围扩大。这项工作将整合教育和研究，通过与地球日活动、科学时间自然中心、公民科学和大烟山国家公园内的创新生态旅游项目相关的项目，为K-12、大专学生和公众提供教育机会。研究结果可以通过为管理实践提供信息来帮助葛根的根除工作。

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) is a noxious, invasive weed in the U.S. that presents a significant threat to native biodiversity. Since its introduction ~130 years ago, this legume has literally engulfed thousands of square miles and cost millions of dollars in eradication measures. Considering its economic and ecological impact, it is surprisingly understudied. This project will integrate the efforts of citizen scientists, graduate and undergraduate students, and collaborating scientists from four Asian countries to examine the evolutionary history, taxonomy, and genetic diversity of the genus Pueraria in an effort to understand invasiveness in the kudzu species complex and determine how Pueraria species relate to other legumes, including several of economic importance such as soybean (Glycine max) and jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus). Extensive fieldwork will be integrated with genetic and geographic analyses to determine how many introductions of kudzu have taken place in the U.S., from what genetic source(s), and how genetic diversity and interplay within and among Pueraria species and populations have influenced range expansion. This work will integrate education and research to provide educational opportunities for K-12, post-secondary students and the public through programs connected with Earth Day Activities, A Time for Science Nature Center, citizen science, and an innovative ecotourism venture within Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Results may aid in kudzu eradication efforts by informing management practices.