Invasive plant species are a threat to biodiversity and a relevant concern for species conservation and restoration. Leachates from decomposing leaves of Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), a highly invasive shrub rapidly conquering regions of the Midwestern US have been documented to have devastating effects on native species diversity, via their negative allelopathic effect on native seed germination and seedling growth.

Within the frame of this project we will identify and characterize the honeysuckle metabolites responsible for the inhibitory effect, will characterize their biosynthetic pathway(s) and the seasonal or environment-driven regulation of their synthesis. In addition, we will also identify the action mechanism of honeysuckle leachate-induced allelopathic inhibition. A better understanding of the inhibition mechanism by allelopathic chemicals is expected to contribute to developing effective invasive species management approaches in the future.

Isoprene emission inventory data indicate that the capacity to emit isoprene is present in species of many families of plants, but is rarely widespread across all species of the same family. This research project will focus on investigating the molecular basis at the diversity of volatile emission capacities in members of the oak family, and the evolution of the isoprene emission capacity in emitter North American oaks.