6th Annual Judith Ramaley Celebration of Research and Creative Scholarship
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Poster #19 European Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) effects on growth rates of native Minnesota plants: Bottlebrush Grass (Hystrix patula), Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and Thimbleweed (Anemone cylindrica) Kevin Burke
Faculty Mentor: Neal Mundahl I examined whether European buckthorn had any significant growth effects on several native Minnesota plants. In field studies, native plant densities were measured in forest and prairie systems near Winona, MN, where high populations of European buckthorn were present. In lab studies, five plant species were chosen and seeded separately in a total of 30 pots. Half of the pots also were seeded with European buckthorn. After germination, plants were maintained in a greenhouse and measured every week for three months. Three of the five plant species grew. In field studies, the densities of native plants were significantly lower in high density populations of European buckthorn. In the lab, common Milkweed and Bottlebrush Grass displayed slightly, but not significantly, better growth in the absence of European buckthorn, whereas thimbleweed grew significantly better in the presence of European buckthorn. There is no clear pattern in how growth of plants native to Minnesota respond in the presence of European buckthorn. |
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