The Plant and the Pathogen: Elucidating the Relationship Between Root-Knot Nematodes, pH Levels, and Arabidopsis Thaliana Development

Student Author Information

Rachel Garnett, University of LynchburgFollow

Location

Schewel 232

Access Type

Open Access

Entry Number

3

Start Date

4-6-2022 9:30 AM

End Date

4-6-2022 9:45 AM

Department

Biology

Abstract

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) within the Meloidogyne genus are considered one of the largest threats to plant health and subsequent crop yield and profit (Forghani and Hajihassani 2020; Bernard et al. 2017). As a pest that presents global consequences, its mitigation through sustainable interventions may confer results for the treatment of similar plant pathogens. A member of the Brassicaeae family, Arabidopsis thaliana, was chosen for this study to determine plant responses to RKN-standard pH media. pH was varied between control and experimental groups, and phenotypic variables of primary root length and plant height were observed and analyzed. Wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana plants were grown hydroponically in order to monitor growth medium pH and primary root length. This project aims to contribute to the available data concerning plant-pathogen relationships in order to better understand and potentially mitigate agricultural losses due to RKN infection.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Dr. Erin Friedman

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