Research Group: Plant Systematics

Systematic studies of diversity and relationships

 

The research in systematic botany is focused on using morphology, cytogenetic and molecular biology to investigate:

 

a) relationships among cultivated plants and their wild relatives

b) genetic diversity of crop plants and plants significant to semi-arable landscapes

c) agro-biodiversity and ethnobotany of crops in developing countries.

 

The results are important for optimizing plant breeding strategies, land management plans and plant identification, both in modern western agriculture, forestry and horticulture, and for plant production and farming in developing regions.

 

Current research projects focus on:

• Estimating phylogenetic relationships and revise the systematics of palms (Arecaceae)
• Competent use of high value Andean crops with emphasis on agrobiodiversity, genetic resources and ethnobotany
• Clarifying the underlying cromosome structure and systematics in relation to observed variation in herbivore and disease resistance among species of Barbarea
• Investigating bulb plants within Fabaceae and Apiaceae to develop strategies for breeding and farming, particularly in developing countries
• Investigating relationships, systematics, and DNA barcoding of clover (Trifolium) species
• Clarifing relationships and revising systematics of the Abies guatemalensis complex in South America
• Using the genera Cryptocoryne and Crocus as model plants in investigations of how climate change has influenced evolution over time and space

For further information - please contact Associate Professor Conny B. A. Lange