Effects of Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Levels on Tobacco Mosaic Virus and Root-Knot Nematodes in Genetically Resistant and Susceptible Tomato Plants

Author

Angie NicholasFollow

Date of Award

5-2020

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science - Biology

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Robert J. Wiggers

Second Advisor

Dennis A. Gravatt

Third Advisor

Josephine Taylor

Fourth Advisor

Daniel J. Bennett

Abstract

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) may affect plant/pathogen interactions. This study focused on the effects of elevated CO₂ on Root-Knot Nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria) and Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) infection in genetically resistant versus susceptible tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum). Both resistant and susceptible tomatoes were grown in chambers with either ambient CO₂ or CO₂ elevated to 750 ppm and infected with M. arenaria or TMV. Measurements were taken at regular intervals to determine the effects of the pathogens on the plants. Resistant plants infected with M. arenaria maintained resistance while susceptible plants remained susceptible at both CO₂ levels. Resistant plants inoculated with TMV maintained their resistance in both CO₂ levels. Susceptible plants inoculated with TMV took longer to demonstrate infection in elevated CO₂.

Repository Citation

Nicholas, Angie, "Effects of Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Levels on Tobacco Mosaic Virus and Root-Knot Nematodes in Genetically Resistant and Susceptible Tomato Plants" (2020). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 306.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/306

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.