Effects of Ericoid Mycorrhizae on Floral Traits and Fruit Set in Vaccinium corymbosum
Conference Year
January 2019
Abstract
Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (ErMF) can form a symbiosis with plants in the Ericales order. This relationship may affect floral traits, pollinator visitation, and plant fitness. Preliminary data support this hypothesis in highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum. Here, I plan to repeat previous experiments and go one step further to examine the links between ErMF, floral traits, and yield under exposure to different pollinator communities in the Champlain Valley.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Alison Brody
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Jeanne Harris, Taylor Ricketts, Leif Richardson
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Biology
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Effects of Ericoid Mycorrhizae on Floral Traits and Fruit Set in Vaccinium corymbosum
Ericoid mycorrhizal fungi (ErMF) can form a symbiosis with plants in the Ericales order. This relationship may affect floral traits, pollinator visitation, and plant fitness. Preliminary data support this hypothesis in highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum. Here, I plan to repeat previous experiments and go one step further to examine the links between ErMF, floral traits, and yield under exposure to different pollinator communities in the Champlain Valley.