Presenter(s)

Elizabeth Bornhorst

Comments

3:00-4:15, Kennedy Union Ballroom

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Description

Invasive species are able to outcompete and steal resources away from native plants, altering the natural ratios in an ecosystem. Callery pear (Pyrus calleryana) is an invasive tree species introduced to Ohio as an ornamental plant which is now outcompeting native trees especially in areas undergoing early succession. While there is no known way to mitigate this invasive effectively, a common and native tree pathogen, rust fungus (Gymnosporangium clavipes), has been observed infecting Callery pear tree leaves and fruits in Montgomery county Ohio. Rust fungus is a heteroecious pathogen so it requires two hosts, a juniper host and then it is able to spread to the berries and leaves of a rosacea host. Being a native pathogen, rust fungus doesn’t severely impact other native trees meaning it could be used as a mitigation technique to limit the spread of Callery pear. This study examined the effect of rust fungus on Callery pear germination as well as the effects of how proximity to juniper hosts influences the severity of rust fungus infection. Germination rates were tested by collecting berries with and without rust fungus from four field sites. The seeds were then stratified and planted to test seed viability between groups with and without rust fungus. Effect of proximity was studied using GIS to map location of Callery pear and Juniper trees and shrubs on campus. Severity of the rust fungus infection was recorded and using a buffer and a T.test statistical significance was found between severity of rust fungus infection number of junipers within 500 ft. These projects are preliminary work that proves that rust fungus could be an option for mitigating Callery pear spread.

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Independent Research

Primary Advisor

Ryan W. McEwan

Primary Advisor's Department

Biology

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Practical Wisdom

Fungi Fighting Back: How a Native Fungus Could Limit the Spread of Invasive Trees

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