Physiological and Molecular Mechanisms of Early Plant Competition

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Crop and weed competition has been viewed traditionally, as the negative effects which one plant has on another by being more successful at consuming or controlling access to resources such as light, water and nutrients. While there is no doubt that resource limitation is a major factor in plant competition, other variables such as light quality (i.e., low red to far-red ratio, R:FR) has also been shown to play an important role in plant competition. Previous studies have been limited to descriptive outcomes of competition such as changes in biomass or yield loss. Our understanding of the actual physiological and molecular responses that account for these morphological changes within the plant is limited. This research is directed to achieve an understanding of the mechanisms that occur in maize and soybeans in response to detection of changes in light quality reflected from the vegetative tissue of neighbouring weeds. Results from this study will identify new physiological and molecular responses resulting from rapid detection of changes in light quality and determine if these changes can alter the plants ability to respond to environmental cues. In addition, novel molecular markers triggered within the crop by weed competition will be identified. As well, antioxidant compounds from natural and chemical sources will be tested to facilitate the recovery of crop seedlings from the negative impact of crop and weed competition. Together, this research will provide valuable information to enhance stress tolerance in crop plants through both breeding and agronomic practices.