Fernando Hernandez: WHEN GENE FLOW MATTERS: THE ROLE OF HYBRIDIZATION ON THE EVOLUTION OF INVASIVE AND AGRICULTURAL WEEDS

Abstract: Cultivated species and their wild relatives often hybridize and crop-wild hybrids can survive and reproduce in some environments. However, it is unclear whether crop alleles are permanently incorporated into the wild genomes or whether they are purged by natural selection. This question is key to accurately assessing the risk of escape and spread of cultivar genes into wild populations and to prevent the evolution of agricultural weeds from domesticated ancestors. I use phenotypic and genetic data and population genomic methods to study hybridization and introgression between cultivated species and their wild relatives in non-native areas. Specifically, my talk is on the role of crop introgression on the evolution of invasive sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and weedy rice (Oryza sativa) in Argentina.

BRC Room 224

Zoom link for remote attendees: https://ubc.zoom.us/j/64834344247?pwd=eEZhWm9sQnpBa25ZWFZpNXNrUWhhQT09