Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
5-2017
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Foster Levy
Committee Members
James T. Donaldson, Aruna Kilaru, Christopher Ulrey
Abstract
Lilium grayi (Gray’s Lily), a southern Appalachian endemic species, is threatened by a Lilium-specific fungal pathogen, Pseudocercosporella inconspicua. The disease is characterized by tan lesions that can cause early senescence, while also lowering seed production and viability. This project tested for P. inconspicua conidia and accessed health at nine locations. The disease was present and ubiquitous across the range of L. grayi. Through identification of P. inconspicua conidia in the field, L. superbum (Turk’s Cap Lily) was identified as an additional host, while L. michauxii (Michaux’s Lily) was disease-free. However, infection was inducible in both species. With the disease widespread in L. superbum and this species represented by many large populations, L. superbum may act as disease reservoir, further complicating the outlook for L. grayi. The disease should be considered an epidemic because of its impact on individual plants, its commonness within populations, and its ubiquity across the geographical range.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Barrett, Cindy L., "Range-wide Prevalence and Impacts of Pseudocercosporella inconspicua on Lilium grayi and an Assessment of L. superbum and L. michauxii as Reservoirs" (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3249. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3249
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
Included in
Biology Commons, Botany Commons, Environmental Health Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Forest Biology Commons, Fungi Commons, Immunity Commons, Immunology of Infectious Disease Commons, Pathogenic Microbiology Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Plants Commons, Population Biology Commons