Using empirical data to model transgene dispersal. (1/26)
One element of the current public debate about genetically modified crops is that gene flow from transgenic cultivars into surrounding weed populations will lead to more problematic weeds, particularly for traits such as herbicide resistance. Evolutionary biologists can inform this debate by providing accurate estimates of gene flow potential and subsequent ecological performance of resulting hybrids. We develop a model for gene flow incorporating exponential distance and directional effects to be applied to windpollinated species. This model is applied to previously published data on gene flow in experimental plots of Agrostis stolonifera L. (creeping bentgrass), which assessed gene flow from transgenic plants resistant to the herbicide glufosinate to surrounding non-transgenic plants. Our results show that although pollen dispersal can be limited in some sites, it may be extensive in others, depending on local conditions such as exposure to wind. Thus, hybridization under field conditions is likely to occur. Given the nature of the herbicide resistance trait, we regard this trait as unlikely to persist in the absence of herbicide, and suggest that the ecological consequences of such gene flow are likely to be minimal. (+info)Heat sensitivity in a bentgrass variant. Failure to accumulate a chloroplast heat shock protein isoform implicated in heat tolerance. (2/26)
Two variants of creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera cv palustris), developed using tissue culture, have been used to determine the roles of chloroplast-localized small heat shock proteins (CP-sHSPs) in heat tolerance. Results from previous research indicate that the heat-tolerant variant expressed two additional CP-sHSP isoforms not expressed in the heat-sensitive variant, that accumulation of the additional CP-sHSP isoforms was genetically linked to thermotolerance, and that the presence of the additional isoforms in the heat-tolerant variant provided greater protection to photosystem II during heat stress. To determine the basis of the differential expression, we isolated the genes encoding the CP-sHSPs from both variants and characterized their structure and expression. Two genes, ApHsp26.2 and ApHsp26.7a, were isolated from the heat-tolerant variant, and three genes, ApHsp26.2m, ApHsp26.8, and ApHsp26.7b, were isolated from the heat-sensitive variant. The sequence of ApHsp26.2m from the heat-sensitive variant was identical to ApHsp26.2, except for a point mutation that generated a premature stop codon. Therefore, the protein product of ApHsp26.2m did not accumulate in the heat-sensitive line. Mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that ApHsp26.2 encoded for the CP-sHSP isoforms unique to the heat-tolerant variant. An identical mutation was detected in one of the three parental lines used to develop the creeping bentgrass variants. This suggests that ApHsp26.2m was inherited from this parent and did not arise from a mutation that occurred during tissue culture. The presence of two isoforms encoded by the same gene might be due to differential processing of the N-terminal amino acids during or after import into the chloroplast. (+info)Evidence for landscape-level, pollen-mediated gene flow from genetically modified creeping bentgrass with CP4 EPSPS as a marker. (3/26)
Sampling methods and results of a gene flow study are described that will be of interest to plant scientists, evolutionary biologists, ecologists, and stakeholders assessing the environmental safety of transgenic crops. This study documents gene flow on a landscape level from creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.), one of the first wind-pollinated, perennial, and highly outcrossing transgenic crops being developed for commercial use. Most of the gene flow occurred within 2 km in the direction of prevailing winds. The maximal gene flow distances observed were 21 km and 14 km in sentinel and resident plants, respectively, that were located in primarily nonagronomic habitats. The selectable marker used in these studies was the CP4 EPSPS gene derived from Agrobacterium spp. strain CP4 that encodes 5-enol-pyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase and confers resistance to glyphosate herbicide. Evidence for gene flow to 75 of 138 sentinel plants of A. stolonifera and to 29 of 69 resident Agrostis plants was based on seedling progeny survival after spraying with glyphosate in greenhouse assays and positive TraitChek, PCR, and sequencing results. Additional studies are needed to determine whether introgression will occur and whether it will affect the ecological fitness of progeny or the structure of plant communities in which transgenic progeny may become established. (+info)Comparison of early development of three grasses: Lolium perenne, Agrostis stolonifera and Poa pratensis. (4/26)
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To improve the management of grass communities, early plant development was compared in three species with contrasting growth forms, a caespitose (Lolium perenne), a rhizomatous (Poa pratensis) and a caespitose-stoloniferous species (Agrostis stolonifera). METHODS: Isolated seedlings were grown in a glasshouse without trophic constraints for 37 d (761 degrees Cd). The appearance of leaves and their location on tillers were recorded. Leaf appearance rate (LAR) on the tillers and site-filling were calculated. Tillering was modelled based on the assumption that tiller number increases with the number of leaves produced on the seedling main stem. Above- and below-ground parts were harvested to compare biomass. KEY RESULTS: Lolium perenne and A. stolonifera expressed similar bunch-type developments. However, root biomass was approx. 30 % lower in A. stolonifera than in L. perenne. Poa pratensis was rhizomatous. Nevertheless, the ratio of above-ground : below-ground biomass of P. pratensis was similar to that of L. perenne. LAR was approximately equal to 0.30 leaf d(-1) in L. perenne, and on the main stem and first primary tillers of A. stolonifera. LAR on the other tillers of A. stolonifera was 30 % higher than on L. perenne. For P. pratensis, LAR was 30 % lower than on L. perenne, but the interval between the appearance of two successive shoots from rhizomes was 30 % higher than the interval between two successive leaf stages on the main stem. Above-ground parts of P. pratensis first grew slower than in the other species to the benefit of the rhizomes, whose development enhanced tiller production. CONCLUSIONS: Lolium perenne had the fastest tiller production at the earliest stages of seedling development. Agrostis stolonifera and P. pratensis compensated almost completely for the delay due to higher LAR on tillers or ramets compared with L. perenne. This study provides a basis for modelling plant development. (+info)Identification of a gene in the process of being lost from the genus Agrostis. (5/26)
Lineage-specific gene loss is considered one of the processes contributing to speciation and genome diversity. Such gene loss has been inferred from interspecies comparisons of orthologous DNA segments. Examples of intraspecific gene loss are rare. Here we report identification of a gene, designated Crs-1 (creeping specific-1), that appears to be in the process of being lost from heterozygous populations of the species creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera). The Crs-1 gene encodes a protein with an N-terminal dirigent protein domain and a C-terminal lectin domain and is similar to the maize (Zea mays) beta-glucosidase aggregating factor. Most individual creeping bentgrass plants examined are lacking Crs-1. Some individuals are hemizygous for the Crs-1 locus, indicating major haplotype noncolinearity at that locus. Crs-1 was not detected in several other Agrostis species, indicating it is being lost from the genus. The Crs-1 locus in creeping bentgrass provides a rare example of the evolutionary process of gene loss occurring within a plant species. (+info)Root respiratory characteristics associated with plant adaptation to high soil temperature for geothermal and turf-type Agrostis species. (6/26)
Respiration is a major avenue of carbohydrates loss. The objective of the present study was to examine root respiratory characteristics associated with root tolerance to high soil temperature for two Agrostis species: thermal Agrostis scabra, a species adapted to high-temperature soils in geothermal areas in Yellowstone National Park, and two cultivars ('L-93' and 'Penncross') of a cool-season turfgrass species, A. stolonifera (creeping bentgrass), that differ in their heat sensitivity. Roots of thermal A. scabra and both creeping bentgrass cultivars were exposed to high (37 degrees C) or low soil temperature (20 degrees C). Total root respiration rate and specific respiratory costs for maintenance and ion uptake increased with increasing soil temperatures in both species. The increases in root respiratory rate and costs for maintenance and ion uptake were less pronounced for A. scabra than for both creeping bentgrass cultivars (e.g. respiration rate increased by 50% for A. scabra upon exposure to high temperature for 28 d, as compared with 99% and 107% in 'L-93' and 'Penncross', respectively). Roots of A. scabra exhibited higher tolerance to high soil temperature than creeping bentgrass, as manifested by smaller decreases in relative growth rate, cell membrane stability, maximum root length, and nitrate uptake under high soil temperature. The results suggest that acclimation of respiratory carbon metabolism plays an important role in root survival of Agrostis species under high soil temperatures, particularly for the thermal grass adaptation to chronically high soil temperatures. The ability of roots to tolerate high soil temperatures could be related to the capacity to control respiratory rates and increase respiratory efficiency by lowering maintenance and ion uptake costs. (+info)Lifetime reproductive success and density-dependent, multi-variable resource selection. (7/26)
Individuals are predicted to maximize lifetime reproductive success (LRS) through selective use of resources; however, a wide range of ecological and social processes may prevent individuals from always using the highest-quality resources available. Resource selection functions (RSFs) estimate the relative amount of time an individual spends using a resource as a function of the proportional availability of that resource. We quantified the association between LRS and coefficients of individual-based RSFs describing lifetime resource selection for 267 female red deer (Cervus elaphus) of the Isle of Rum, Scotland, from 1970 to 2001. LRS was significantly related to first- and second-order effects of selection for Agrostis/Festuca grassland and proximity to the sea coast (quality of forage within Agrostis/Festuca grassland was highest nearest the coast (ratio of short:long grassland)). The benefits of selecting for quality in Agrostis/Festuca grassland, however, traded-off with increases in LRS gained by avoiding conspecific density. LRS was inversely associated with local density, which was highest along the coast, and reproductive benefits of selecting Agrostis/Festuca grassland diminished with increasing density. We discuss the relevance of these results to our understanding of the spatial distribution of red deer abundance, and potential applications of our approach to evolutionary and applied ecology. (+info)Engineered crops: transgenes go wild. (8/26)
Genetically modified Agrostis stolonifera has escaped from cultivation. For the first time, a herbicide-resistant perennial weed has established itself in wild populations. (+info)'Agrostis' is a genus of plants, commonly known as bentgrasses. These grasses are native to many parts of the world and are often used in lawns, golf courses, and other landscaped areas due to their fine texture and ability to tolerate close mowing. They are also an important food source for many species of wildlife.
In a medical context, 'Agrostis' is not commonly used as it is not a substance or process that directly relates to human health or disease. However, like all plants, bentgrasses do contain various compounds that may have potential medicinal properties. For example, some species of Agrostis have been found to contain antioxidant compounds that could potentially have health benefits. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects and determine their safety and effectiveness as treatments for any specific medical conditions.
Agrostis
Agrostis alba
Agrostis densiflora
Agrostis stolonifera
Agrostis mertensii
Agrostis mannii
Agrostis curtisii
Agrostis pallens
Agrostis hendersonii
Agrostis microphylla
Agrostis oregonensis
Agrostis nebulosa
Agrostis perennans
Agrostis hooveri
Agrostis canina
Agrostis media
Agrostis thurberiana
Agrostis idahoensis
Agrostis exarata
Agrostis blasdalei
Agrostis scabra
Agrostis trachychlaena
Agrostis capillaris
Agrostis elliottiana
Agrostis vinealis
Agrostis goughensis
Agrostis magellanica
Anguina agrostis
Agrostis castellana
Agrostis hallii
Agrostis - Wikipedia
ITIS - Report: Agrostis capillaris
Agrostis - Medical Dictionary online-medical-dictionary.org
Agrostis tandilensis Calflora
Agrostis chaetophylla | International Plant Names Index
Agrostis gracilifolia | International Plant Names Index
Flora of Zimbabwe: Spot characters for: Agrostis lachnantha
Agrostis nebulosa
Bent (Agrostis) Genus Level Details & Allergy Info, Richland county, South Carolina
NameThatPlant.net: Agrostis stolonifera
Agrostis - Plantas Silvestres de España
Upland Bent (Agrostis perennans) Species Details and Allergy Info, Aiken county, South Carolina
Agrostis gigantea specimen (HerbariaUnited)
Agrostis sp. D | Atlas of Living Australia
Physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms associated with drought tolerance in agrostis species
"Agrostis scabra Willd." by Tad M. Zebryk
Anguina agrostis (ANGUAG)[Sweden]| EPPO Global Database
Flora of Malawi: Utilities: All images of Agrostis
Fiorin - Agrostis stolonifera | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Agrostis [ ]
First report of Ophiosphaerella agrostis infecting creeping bentgrass in Canada
Agrostis humilis
Agrostis synopsis
Agriculture - 01 - Agrostis
APNI - Agrostis parviflora
78th TIF - Agrostis
EcoFlora - Agrostis stolonifera
Bell Atlas - Agrostis scabra
Poaceae2
- Butterflies whose caterpillars feed on Agrostis include: Zabulon skipper, Poanes zabulon Dollar spot List of Poaceae genera lectotype designated by Philipson, J. Linn. (wikipedia.org)
- Bent (Agrostis) is a genus of the POACEAE family. (pollenlibrary.com)
Genus1
- Agrostis (bent or bentgrass) is a large and very nearly cosmopolitan genus of plants in the grass family, found in nearly all the countries in the world. (wikipedia.org)
Bentgrass5
- Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) is a high value, drought sensitive turfgrass crop species. (rutgers.edu)
- Dead spot, also known as bentgrass dead spot or bermudagrass dead spot, is a relatively new disease of golf course putting greens and is caused by the pathogen Ophiosphaerella agrostis. (uoguelph.ca)
- Kaminski, J.E. and Hsiang, T. "First report of Ophiosphaerella agrostis infecting creeping bentgrass in Canada. (uoguelph.ca)
- Agrostis pallens, or San Diego bentgrass is a native grass that grows to about 2' tops in the spring, then goes dormant in the summer. (apiananative.com)
- The common bentgrass ( Agrostis capillaris ) is used for adverse conditions and therefore feels extremely comfortable even in the rough areas of the Alps. (gardender.com)
Stolonifera4
- citation needed] Agrostis stolonifera is the most commonly used species of Agrostis. (wikipedia.org)
- Agrostis stolonifera var. (itis.gov)
- Agrostis stolonifera L. (asu.edu)
- Agrostis is from the Latin and Greek names for a type of grass, from Greek agron or agros, field or pasture, while stolonifera means bearing stolons or runners. (asu.edu)
Gigantea1
- Cross-pollinating Agrostis gigantea was even found at a distance of 21 kilometres. (wikipedia.org)
Species1
- Browse the list of datasets and find organisations you can join if you are interested in participating in a survey for species like Agrostis sp. (ala.org.au)
Capillaris7
- Agrostis capillaris, or colonial bent, was brought to America from Europe. (wikipedia.org)
- Agrostis capillaris Huds. (itis.gov)
- Agrostis capillaris var. (itis.gov)
- No problem for the all-rounder Agrostis capillaris ! (gardender.com)
- Agrostis capillaris tolerate a few nutrients, drought, and a deep cut without any problems. (gardender.com)
- But Agrostis capillaris is also popular in milder climates. (gardender.com)
- For this reason, Agrostis capillaris is only added to shadow lawn to a small extent. (gardender.com)
Palustris2
Trin3
Bent1
- Upland Bent (Agrostis perennans) is a severe allergen. (pollenlibrary.com)
Grasses1
- This representative of the ostrich grasses ( Agrostis ) is widespread in the USA. (gardender.com)
Willd3
Citation1
- citation needed] Agrostis canina gets its name for the velvet appearance that this grass produces. (wikipedia.org)
Druce1
- L.) Druce, Agrostis decumbens Host, Agrostis depressa Vasey, Agrostis dulcis (Pers. (asu.edu)
Spreng1
- Agrostis glaucescens (C. Presl) Spreng. (asu.edu)
Canina1
- Agrostis canina var. (usf.edu)
Hyemalis2
Roem3
Schult1
- W.D.J. Koch, Agrostis stolonizans Besser ex Schult. (asu.edu)
Huds1
- Agrostis sylvatica Huds. (itis.gov)
Plant1
- These plots show the elevations and times of year where the plant Agrostis humilis has been observed. (wildflowersearch.org)