B
bach2yoga
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This is about one of the prettier invasive weeds that we find frequently in the pines:
Spotted knapweed was introduced into North America from Europe. It is estimated that it has infested more than a million acres of land and is listed as a noxious weed in 35 states. Other species of Centaurea have also invaded thousands of acres of cultivated land, including the star thistle (C. solstitialis) of California's Central Valley. Spotted knapweed is a very aggressive naturalized weed that actually destroys its competition by releasing -catechin into the soil. The chemical arsenal of spotted knapweed is just as effective as the potent chemical herbicide 2,4 D. Although -catechin is also toxic to the cells of spotted knapweed, the plant is apparantly able to maintain low levels of this chemical in its cells by quickly pumping it out. Researchers are currently studying the possiblities of catechin as a natural weed killer for agricultural areas. By transferring knapweed genes into other species, crop plants could eliminate competitive weeds and also be resistant to catechin herbicide. The ramifications of transgenic crops must be carefully scrutinized because genes of fertile plants can be carried in the pollen. Some crop plants can still cross pollinate with their weedy ancestors.
Spotted knapweed was introduced into North America from Europe. It is estimated that it has infested more than a million acres of land and is listed as a noxious weed in 35 states. Other species of Centaurea have also invaded thousands of acres of cultivated land, including the star thistle (C. solstitialis) of California's Central Valley. Spotted knapweed is a very aggressive naturalized weed that actually destroys its competition by releasing -catechin into the soil. The chemical arsenal of spotted knapweed is just as effective as the potent chemical herbicide 2,4 D. Although -catechin is also toxic to the cells of spotted knapweed, the plant is apparantly able to maintain low levels of this chemical in its cells by quickly pumping it out. Researchers are currently studying the possiblities of catechin as a natural weed killer for agricultural areas. By transferring knapweed genes into other species, crop plants could eliminate competitive weeds and also be resistant to catechin herbicide. The ramifications of transgenic crops must be carefully scrutinized because genes of fertile plants can be carried in the pollen. Some crop plants can still cross pollinate with their weedy ancestors.