Short project description

In agricultural fields, weeds are unwanted plant species that compete with cultivated crops for essential resources such as sunlight, water, and nutrients. If left uncontrolled, weeds can cause significant agricultural losses. We hypothesize that weed species exude plant metabolites through their roots to either compete with or adapt to the presence of cultivated crops and neighboring plants. Therefore, understanding the establishment mechanisms of weeds is crucial. For example, what chemical compounds do weeds secrete through their roots, and how do these root exudates facilitate weed establishment?

This project aims to investigate the chemical composition of root exudates from weed species during the growing season, as well as their associated physiological changes. To achieve this, several weed species will be cultivated in hydroponic systems (plants grown without soil) and/or soil. Root exudates will then be collected and analyzed using the HPLC-MS/MS technique to quantify metabolite composition.