Biography:

During his MSc study at the University of Jordan, Amman, Dr. Abu-Dieyeh did his research project about ecology of desert rodents in Wadi Araba, an area which has been considered important from an evolutionary perspective as the three zoogeographic regions Paleoarctic, Afrotropical and Oriental meet. After graduating in 1988, he got different teaching positions at several universities (Mutah University, Karak, Jordan; Intermediate University College, Amman, Jordan; Applied Science University, Amman and University of Qatar, Doha-Qatar) After that he got a scholarship to pursue his PhD study in plant ecology and started his study at McGill University (Montreal CANADA) in 2002 where he worked on a project entitled Population Dynamics of Dandelion in turfgrass as influenced by Sclerotinia minor Jagger. He published all of his thesis work (6 original articles) in well known refereed journals. In 2006, he returned to Jordan to work as assistant professor in the biology and biotechnology dept. (The Hashemite University) and in 2008 he became the Chairperson of the department. Currently, he is working on three research projects related to plant ecology and its application. This is in addition to his career in teaching as he taught several biological courses including: General Biology, Ecology, Ecosystem management, Plant ecology, Evolution, Phycology and Agricultural Botany.

Abstract:

A survival mechanism of a weed due to a biotic interaction: a story between dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and a promising bioherbicide Sclerotinia minor

The ability of dandelion to tolerate and to adapt to a wide range of biotic and abiotic factors is well documented and explained by its common gene pool combined with high phenotypic plasticity and its ability to manipulate its internal resources. Dandelions flower throughout the year, with a primary peak in April and a secondary one in September or October. The time required from blooming until seed ripening and bract opening to release seeds is reported to be 8-/11 days. Sclerotinia minor Jagger is a promising biocontrol agent for dandelion in turfgrass. When a flowering dandelion population was treated with S. minor, flowering accelerated to the fruiting stage within 4 days. This developmental response was 4-7 days earlier than in the untreated plants and was not observed in herbicide-treated plants. Dandelions treated with S. minor were killed within 14 days. Therefore, the 40-50% earlier fruiting in dandelion apparently is a direct consequence of the fungal infection. Seeds obtained from the fungal-treated plants were smaller, lighter and their germination rate was reduced by 48.4 and 47.3% for spring and fall applications, respectively. By responding in this way, dandelions can retain 50% of their reproductive abilities instead of losing them completely to a rapidly advancing necrotrophic pathogen like S. minor.