The central mission of the Grassland & Savanna Applied Research Lab (GASARL) is to advance and promote applied research and outreach directed at informing the conservation, restoration, and management of grassland and savanna wildland ecosystems and their associated biodiversity. Research and outreach are focused on regional ecosystems, along with research in similar woodland and savanna grasslands worldwide.
Seeking Solutions for Invasive Species Control
King Ranch bluestem (Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica), also known as yellow bluestem or Old-World bluestem, is a warm-season bunchgrass. Originally from Europe and Asia, it was introduced to Texas in 1939 as a forage crop for grazing and later used for erosion control. Its uncontrolled spread throughout Texas poses a significant ecological threat, leading to the Texas Invasive Species Institute classifying it as an invasive species.
PhD student, Aimee Byington is performing research to develop a microbial inoculant against KR bluestem. The research aims to find endophytic microbes that impact competitive interactions between native and invasive grasses during germination. Microbial inoculants may then inhibit King Ranch Bluestem germination and persistence instead of chemical herbicides. This could lead to more environmentally friendly land management methods and offer a promising solution to the threat of invasive species.
