Life Sciences Commons^™

Effects Of Ericoid Mycorrhizal Fungi On Reproductive Traits In Vaccinium Corymbosum, Erin O'Neill

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Most angiosperms rely on animal pollination to reproduce and the majority of these also interact with mycorrhizal fungi. Although these interactions have been studied separately, few studies have examined their combined effects on host plants. Linking above and belowground interactions has become an exciting new field of study.

Ericoid mycorrhizae (ericoids) are the relationship between certain taxa of fungi and plants in the Ericaceae, including Vaccinium corymbosum, the highbush blueberry. Here, I asked whether inoculation with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi altered resource allocation to floral buds and flowers of V. corymbosum. Different fungi may vary in their ability to assist their …

No Farm Is An Island: Pollinators And Pollination In Agricultural Landscapes, Charles C. Nicholson

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Productive, resilient and sustainable agricultural systems are required to meet the immediate needs of a burgeoning human population, while avoiding ecosystem collapse. Agriculture provides food, fiber, fuels and other products for our current population of 7 billion and is still the major livelihood for 40% of people worldwide. By replacing natural habitat and employing chemical inputs, agriculture also negatively impacts biodiversity and impairs the provision of ecosystem services. This poses a challenge for agriculture as these impacted services are often those required for high yielding and high-quality crop production. Evidence is accumulating that agricultural management can safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem …