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THE HYPERACCUMULATION OF ZINC IN SUNFLOWERS AND ITS EFFECT ON DISEASE RESISTANCE

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Date Issued:
2019
Abstract/Description:
Sunflowers are considered to be a part of a group of plants known as hyperaccumulators that share the ability to accumulate high amounts of heavy metals in the above ground organs, far in excess of the levels found in other species, often without suffering any phytotoxic effects. Quantifying the effects of zinc accumulation through the lens of the elemental defense hypothesis is essential for uncovering if there is a means to increase herbivore resistance in agricultural settings without the use of external interventions such as pesticides. A greenhouse study was conducted on four widely grown commercial cultivars of sunflower. Each cultivar was grown under multiple soil Zn concentrations ranging from 0 to 200 mg/kg of soil. Growth rate measurements were taken at evenly spaced intervals until maturity. Samples of leaves were taken from plants and tested for Zn concentration. A qualitative study using Vanessa cardui was conducted to observe the effects of zinc in the diet of caterpillars. Significant variation in the level of zinc accumulated in the leaves was observed as well as variation in overall biomass per treatment level. V. cardui experienced high rates of mortality at high zinc concentrations suggesting that further study may lead to significant evidence that Zinc accumulation is a form of herbivore resistance.
Title: THE HYPERACCUMULATION OF ZINC IN SUNFLOWERS AND ITS EFFECT ON DISEASE RESISTANCE.
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Name(s): Seavey, Rayner J, Author
Mason, Chase, Committee Chair
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2019
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Sunflowers are considered to be a part of a group of plants known as hyperaccumulators that share the ability to accumulate high amounts of heavy metals in the above ground organs, far in excess of the levels found in other species, often without suffering any phytotoxic effects. Quantifying the effects of zinc accumulation through the lens of the elemental defense hypothesis is essential for uncovering if there is a means to increase herbivore resistance in agricultural settings without the use of external interventions such as pesticides. A greenhouse study was conducted on four widely grown commercial cultivars of sunflower. Each cultivar was grown under multiple soil Zn concentrations ranging from 0 to 200 mg/kg of soil. Growth rate measurements were taken at evenly spaced intervals until maturity. Samples of leaves were taken from plants and tested for Zn concentration. A qualitative study using Vanessa cardui was conducted to observe the effects of zinc in the diet of caterpillars. Significant variation in the level of zinc accumulated in the leaves was observed as well as variation in overall biomass per treatment level. V. cardui experienced high rates of mortality at high zinc concentrations suggesting that further study may lead to significant evidence that Zinc accumulation is a form of herbivore resistance.
Identifier: CFH2000491 (IID), ucf:45835 (fedora)
Note(s): 2019-05-01
B.S.
College of Sciences, Biology
Bachelors
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): Sunflower
Helianthus
Hyperaccumulation
Zinc
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000491
Restrictions on Access: public
Host Institution: UCF

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