I am studying the ecology and evolution of herbicide resistance, based in Dr. Paul Neve's group.

Research Area

Weeds have the greatest potential impact on agricultural yields, and their continued control is vital to feed the growing human population. Major increases in agricultural output have been possible due to the use of herbicides, but over the past few decades resistance problems in weeds are increasingly common. The biochemical mechanisms of resistance are increasingly well known, but there is a need to understand the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of how resistance is selected for. This knowledge can be used to appropriately manage agricultural systems to stop a resistance problem developing, and is an excellent example of evolution in response to rapid anthropogenic environmental change.

Project

Using Alopecurus myosuroides (black-grass), a major agricultural weed in the UK and much of Europe, I am exploring the selection for herbicide resistance. A susceptible black-grass population was exposed to a low herbicide dose, and survivors were bred. In only two generations of this selection resistance was greatly increased. Characterisation and competition experiments comparing resistant and susceptible black-grass strains then reveal the potential impacts on farming.

This is supported by work using the unicellular algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which is susceptible to the same herbicides as higher plants. Unlike black-grass, an annual plant, C. reinhardtii can be grown very rapidly in the lab, with a single test-tube containing millions of individuals. Long-term herbicide dose rotation strategies are being tested using C. reinhardtii to inform optimum management to delay the evolution of resistance.

Background

Prior to my PhD I studied for an MSc in Applied Ecology and Conservation at the University of East Anglia, and a BA in Natural Sciences (Ecology) at the University of Cambridge.

My main interests are the interactions between ecology and human activity.

My PhD is BBSRC funded through a Doctoral Training Grant.

John Lynch

School of Life Sciences
Wellesbourne Campus
The University of Warwick
Wellesbourne
Warwick
CV35 9EF
United Kingdom

J dot Lynch at warwick dot ac dot uk