Invasive Phragmites Science: Using Cutting-Edge Genetic Approaches to Develop New Management Tools for the Control of Invasive Phragmites
Genetic Sequencing
Phragmites in the Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge
Large Fluffy Seed Heads on Invasive Phragmites Plants
Phragmites Causing a Safety Hazard Along the Roadway
Phragmites Invades Coastal Wetland in a Changing Climate
Invasive plants negatively impact our water, wildlife, and way of life. Current management tools are not cutting it, so a multi-agency research team is using molecular biotechnology to develop new species-specific treatments that help land managers improve the natural resources that we depend on and have more management options during droughts, floods, and other periods of plant stress. This initial work is targeting the invasive Phragmites australis (common reed) and building on significant investments by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to look at the plant’s genetic code and identify targets for molecular treatments. Results of this work will increase our understanding of how this new technology can be developed and applied to invasive plants and ultimately lead to new management approaches that are more targeted, cheaper, and more effective.
Scientists at the GLSC, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisiana State University, and Wayne State University are developing an approach for controlling Phragmites that limits the expression of certain traits (i.e., gene silencing) that help Phragmites be so competitive. The gene silencing approach uses a natural defense mechanism within plant cells known as RNA interference (RNAi), whereby a cell breaks down RNA that appears to be a threat. Researchers have discovered that if they insert “suspicious looking” RNA into a cell, the cell’s natural defenses are triggered and all RNA with the same code as the suspicious strand will be broken down, disrupting protein formation and preventing trait expression. Researchers are working to adapt this technology as a form of control for invasive Phragmites. Their work is focused on identifying and silencing genes important to the plant’s ability to grow vigorously and be invasive (e.g., genes coding for flowering, meristem growth, seed set, and photosynthesis). The gene silencing approach to controlling Phragmites could have advantages beyond traditional strategies because the technology targets genetic messages specific to the target plant. This means that it would only work on the species being targeted. For land managers, treatment of rapidly expanding or dense Phragmites stands could take place with minimal harm to non-target plants or animals.
Preliminary investigation of RNAi work was funding through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The USGS Biothreats Program built upon those initial investments in innovative control strategies for the non-native Phragmites australis by enabling a focus on RNAi-induced gene silencing approaches that may make the target plant more vulnerable during drought, flood, or other climate enhanced stressors without affecting the native plant community. Current research conducted at USGS-GLSC and USACE-Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) examines how these developing gene silencing technologies can be adapted to increase effectiveness during extreme events related to climate change (e.g., drought, flooding).
This research is in direct response to the management need for innovative new ways to manage invasive Phragmites and other nuisance plant species. By combining the efforts of GLRI- and BTRP-funded works, the GLSC and its partners aim to identify invasive Phragmites genes that could be targeted with gene silencing tools when the plant is stressed, leading to loss of fitness of the target invasive plant. Climate components will also be considered, such as the potential for variable plant senescence times or altered species ranges. Once the technology transitions from development to production, the outcome of this investment will be more options for managers to treat invasive plants under a changing climate.
Partners
Invasive plants negatively impact our water, wildlife, and way of life. Current management tools are not cutting it, so a multi-agency research team is using molecular biotechnology to develop new species-specific treatments that help land managers improve the natural resources that we depend on and have more management options during droughts, floods, and other periods of plant stress. This initial work is targeting the invasive Phragmites australis (common reed) and building on significant investments by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to look at the plant’s genetic code and identify targets for molecular treatments. Results of this work will increase our understanding of how this new technology can be developed and applied to invasive plants and ultimately lead to new management approaches that are more targeted, cheaper, and more effective.
Scientists at the GLSC, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisiana State University, and Wayne State University are developing an approach for controlling Phragmites that limits the expression of certain traits (i.e., gene silencing) that help Phragmites be so competitive. The gene silencing approach uses a natural defense mechanism within plant cells known as RNA interference (RNAi), whereby a cell breaks down RNA that appears to be a threat. Researchers have discovered that if they insert “suspicious looking” RNA into a cell, the cell’s natural defenses are triggered and all RNA with the same code as the suspicious strand will be broken down, disrupting protein formation and preventing trait expression. Researchers are working to adapt this technology as a form of control for invasive Phragmites. Their work is focused on identifying and silencing genes important to the plant’s ability to grow vigorously and be invasive (e.g., genes coding for flowering, meristem growth, seed set, and photosynthesis). The gene silencing approach to controlling Phragmites could have advantages beyond traditional strategies because the technology targets genetic messages specific to the target plant. This means that it would only work on the species being targeted. For land managers, treatment of rapidly expanding or dense Phragmites stands could take place with minimal harm to non-target plants or animals.
Preliminary investigation of RNAi work was funding through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The USGS Biothreats Program built upon those initial investments in innovative control strategies for the non-native Phragmites australis by enabling a focus on RNAi-induced gene silencing approaches that may make the target plant more vulnerable during drought, flood, or other climate enhanced stressors without affecting the native plant community. Current research conducted at USGS-GLSC and USACE-Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) examines how these developing gene silencing technologies can be adapted to increase effectiveness during extreme events related to climate change (e.g., drought, flooding).
This research is in direct response to the management need for innovative new ways to manage invasive Phragmites and other nuisance plant species. By combining the efforts of GLRI- and BTRP-funded works, the GLSC and its partners aim to identify invasive Phragmites genes that could be targeted with gene silencing tools when the plant is stressed, leading to loss of fitness of the target invasive plant. Climate components will also be considered, such as the potential for variable plant senescence times or altered species ranges. Once the technology transitions from development to production, the outcome of this investment will be more options for managers to treat invasive plants under a changing climate.
Partners