Impact of Japanese knotweed Produced Phenolics on Bacterial Growth

Authors: Matthew Spezio, Katarzyna Dubiel

SUNY Campus: SUNY Brockport

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: Old Union Hall

Presentation #: 43

Timeslot: Session B 10:15-11:15 AM

Abstract: Invasive species are any non-native organism that establish and integrate themselves into a new environment, disrupting ecological balance and spreading rapidly by outcompeting native populations. Some invasive plants have evolved chemical strategies, such as the production of phenolic compounds to inhibit competition and alter soil ecosystems. Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica), a plant native to East Asia, is a highly problematic invasive in western New York. Japanese knotweed utilizes phenolic warfare, releasing allelopathic compounds that may inhibit the growth of native plants and microbes. This project aims to explore the inhibitory factors that phenolics serve in altering the soil microbiome and disrupting native plant populations. To test this, we monitored bacterial growth after exposure to three phenolic compounds (piceid resveratrol, and quercetin hydrate). These compounds are produced by Japanese knotweed and secreted into the surrounding soil. In this study, we tested bacteria previously isolated from either diverse plant-associated soil or Japanese knotweed-associated soil. These bacterial species were serially diluted on LB agar plates containing phenolics. Preliminary tests indicate signs of inhibited bacterial growth at 1mM resveratrol. This work will help us to better understand the chemical defense mechanisms utilized by these invasive plants.