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Xiaocheng Zhu

PhD Student
School School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences
Location Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga
Phone 0413 205 172
Fax 02 6933 2812
Email xzhu@csu.edu.au

Project

Diversity of silverleaf nightshade in Australia.

Summary

Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. (silverleaf nightshade) is a serious invasive summer-growing perennial weed in Australia. It can potentially infest 398 million hectares in Australia. Current effective control options for dense and large infestations have been very limited and the biocontrol agents were also considered unreliable in Australia.

High level of genetic diversity of silverleaf nightshade in SA had been found by Hawker using RAPD markers. However the genetic diversity of silverleaf nightshade in Australia is still unknown. The overlapping morphological traits between another domestic weed, quena and silverleaf nightshade make this weed even harder to control.

This study aims to provide correct identification of silverleaf nightshade with the aid of SSR markers; to determine the genetic diversity of silverleaf nightshade at national, regional and field levels; to assess whether silverleaf nightshade populations differ in their trichome density and other morphological traits; to determine whether silverleaf nightshade populations differ in their responses to different water stress, and interactions between herbicide responses and morphological/ molecular traits.

Supervisors

Professor Deirdre Lemerle, Dr Hanwen Wu, Dr Rex Stanton, Dr Harsh Raman & Dr Geoff Burrows

Funding source

CSU and MLA