Abstract
Western monarch butterfly populations have sharply declined over the last three decades largely due to destruction of their habitat and larval food source, milkweed (Asclepias spp.). In order to aid reestablishment of milkweed habitat in support of Western monarch populations, the effects of soil pollutants and additives on the plant’s growth and toxin production should be examined. We evaluated five growth parameters and cardenolide concentration of showy milkweed (A. speciosa) exposed to various soil treatments of Roundup and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in controlled greenhouse conditions. Our results suggest that residual Roundup in soil does not affect cardenolide concentrations in showy milkweed but may interact with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus symbionts to affect growth. More research is needed in order to understand the relationship between Roundup and mycorrhizal symbionts, but our results suggest that Roundup pollutants remaining in soil will not adversely affect milkweed restoration efforts in support of the imperiled Western monarch butterfly.
Recommended Citation
Klassen, Katherine G.; Dizney, Laurie; Mattson, Rylee; and Silva, Estrella
(2022)
"The Effect of Residual Roundup on Showy Milkweed Growth and Cardenolide Production,"
RURALS: Review of Undergraduate Research in Agricultural and Life Sciences: Vol. 15:
Iss.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/rurals/vol15/iss1/5