Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Pollinator Health in Southern Crop Ecosystems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #417954
Research Project: Ecological Assessment and Mitigation Strategies to Reduce the Risks of Bees to Stressors in Southern Crop Ecosystems

Location: Pollinator Health in Southern Crop Ecosystems Research

Title: Chloroplast Markers for Detecting Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera) DNA in Environmental Samples

Author
item OLANTIWO, RABIU - Forest Service (FS)
item BATAINEH, MOHAMMAD - Forest Service (FS)
item STANDLEY, JENNIFER - Auburn University
item ABBATE, ANTHONY - Auburn University
item WILLIAMS, GEOFFREY - Auburn University
item Lau, Pierre

Submitted to: Forests
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/25/2025
Publication Date: 2/27/2025
Citation: Olantiwo, R., Bataineh, M., Standley, J., Abbate, A., Williams, G., Lau, P.W. 2025. Chloroplast Markers for Detecting Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera) DNA in Environmental Samples. Forests. 16(3):437. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16030437.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/f16030437

Interpretive Summary: Chinese tallow (Triadaca sebifera) is an invasive plant that was introduced in the southern United States and continues to spread northward, out-competing native vegetation once established in the new regions. Tallow produces abundant pollen and nectar that attracts pollinators including honey bees, thus making tallow an important resource for beekeepers and pollinators in the region. To improve our understanding on the implications of tallow on the ecosystem, we report here the genetic markers for detecting tallow to authenticate honey containing tallow and to determine its geographic origin.

Technical Abstract: DNA analysis of environmental samples (eDNA) provides a non-intrusive approach to identify organisms, characterize biological communities, and assess biodiversity including detection and monitoring of invasive plants. Targeted species detection, geographic and floral source tracing, and assessment of invasive plant ecological and environmental effects using eDNA requires the development of species-specific genetic primers. In this study, we investigated and identified specific genetic sites in the Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) chloroplast gene to develop genetic markers for species detection. Developed primers were validated for target specificity against closely-related species using samples of Chinese tallow tissue, as well as honey and honey bee-collected pollen from areas with Chinese tallow. Ultimately, developed primers will be useful in PCR amplification of eDNA for monitoring Chinese tallow, assurance of honey quality and floral source, and serve as a model for determining plant use by pollinators.