(American Journal of Botany. ;91:0.)
© Botanical Society of America, Inc.
Arabidopsis thaliana: adaptation dynamics
Griffith et al. examine the life history of Arabidopsis thaliana plants collected from several populations in each of three regions and subsequently planted at a common field environment in Kentucky. Data from this simulated colonization event are surprising: while the populations are differentiated in many traits, they are all about equally fit in the Kentucky study site. This work should be of substantial interest to the community of scientists using A. thaliana in evolutionary genetic studies. It is also of interest more generally, because the results counter expectations and demonstrate ecological equivalency for a variety of life histories.
(see p. 837)
Kitin et al. analyze the three-dimensional grouping of vessels, particularly the pit contacts between vessels of ash across two growth rings. Because this subject can only be fully understood when thick histological sections are studied, the authors make use of several modern techniques, such as epifluorescence, confocal microscopy, and microcasting (resin casting with SEM). This is part of interesting work, which shows that, clearly, much is yet to be learned about the three-dimensional organization of the vessel network in different plants.
(see p. 779)
Bossdorf et al. contribute to the new branch of invasion biology that concerns microevolution in invasive species. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is a European plant that has become a serious pest in North America. The authors compare herbivore resistance and tolerance of native and invasive populations in a common environment. They estimated resistance with a common generalist, a caterpillar, and with a specialist, a weevil that is currently being tested as a biocontrol agent. The weevil preferred American plants over European, suggesting that garlic mustard has become less defended in its rapid evolution into new habitat and that management strategies are possible.
(see p. 856)
Senthalir, Sharanya, and Paramathma tested the effects of neem oil, a known suckericide in tobacco, on branch suppression in Eucalyptus tereticornis, for the purpose of maximizing stem biomass in this agriculturally important species. The principal component in neem oil is azadirachtin, which as their study shows is highly effective on eucalyptus. The authors were first-prize winners in the Intel National Science Talent Discovery Fair in Bangalore, India and then finalists at the Intel International Science and Engineer Fair 2003 held in Cleveland, Ohio. Members of the Botanical Society of America interviewed the young scientists and offered them a complimentary membership in the Society with access to publication pending the usual review process. Congratulations!
(see p. 1002)
