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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #207570
Title: Modeling the Potential Range of Benghal Dayflower in the United States

Author
item Webster, Theodore
item SOSNOSKIE, L - UNIV OF GA, TIFTON,GA

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2007
Publication Date: 3/20/2007
Citation: Webster, T.M., Sosnoskie, L.M. 2007. Modeling the potential range of benghal dayflower in the United States [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Meeting, March 20-22, 2007, Athens, GA. 9:34.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Benghal dayflower is among the most troublesome agricultural weeds in Georgia. While most commonly seen in cotton and peanut fields, Benghal dayflower is also frequent weed of pecan orchards. Contributing to the significance of Benghal dayflower as a troublesome weed is its tolerance to many commonly used herbicides, especially glyphosate. Native to Africa and tropical Asia, this species is now an exotic species in Australia, South America, Mexico, and New Guinea. In the US, Benghal dayflower occurs in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The objective of this research was to estimate the potential distribution of Benghal dayflower in the US based on the climatic and ecological characteristics. Geo-referenced herbaria data were collected from available sources in the US and abroad (164 points). A bioclimatic envelope model, Genetic Algorithm Rule-set Production (GARP), correlated the Benghal dayflower presence throughout the world with climate. GARP then extrapolated those climatic variables to new environments throughout the world. Results indicate that the distribution of Benghal dayflower in the US is likely constrained by several factors, including precipitation, solar radiation, and temperature. The most predictive models included precipitation and various combinations ground frost frequency and minimum temperature. Further mechanistic studies are needed to fully understand the potential distribution of Benghal dayflower within the US.