Plant Invasion 2023

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2024) | Viewed by 4664

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Departamento de Hidrobiologia, UFSCar, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
Interests: plant ecology; plant conservation; plant invasion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Interests: microbial ecology; microbial response or effect; microbial interaction; structure and function of microbial communities; plant-microbial interaction; microorganism diversity and function; rhizosphere; endophyte; pollution microbiology; sulfur cycle; carbon cycle microorganism; sediment microbiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Interests: mechanisms of invasive plants; invasive plants respond to nutrient stress; interactions of invasive plants with their symbiotic microorganism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Invasive plants mediate complex abiotic and biotic interactions with an impact on biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, the economy, and human health. In recent years, a large number of papers on invasive plants have been produced, but the search for scientific information is increasing, as invasion is a continuous and fast process operating along the Anthropocene. Advances in the physiology and ecology of invasive plant species are crucial for management and control strategies that have a minimum effect on ecosystems. The interactions in which invasive species are involved are becoming even more complex. Also, although native, some species behave as if invasive, but they have been neglected in all aspects. To some extent, human impacts are also affecting the population growth rate of some native species, which, in turn, may cause severe impacts on diversity and human health. In recent years, the pandemic scenario increased concern regarding human diseases mediated by environmental changes. The current and future scenario of climate change that our planet is facing creates instability in terms of the invasion of natural habitats. In this context, we must know the role of invasive plant species in such complex situations to achieve advances in their control and the prevention of future problems.

Prof. Dr. Dalva Maria da Silva Matos
Prof. Dr. Daolin Du
Dr. Shanshan Qi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • plant invasions
  • ecology of invasive plants
  • climate change and biological invasion
  • invasion dynamics
  • native species as invasive
  • plant invasion and one health
  • prevention and management of plant invasions
  • policy, legislation, and governance regarding invasive plants
  • economic impacts of plant invasion
  • citizen science applied to plant invasion

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 5830 KiB  
Article
Strong Invasive Mechanism of Wedelia trilobata via Growth and Physiological Traits under Nitrogen Stress Condition
by Zhi-Cong Dai, Fang-Li Kong, Yi-Fan Li, Riaz Ullah, Essam A. Ali, Farrukh Gul, Dao-Lin Du, Yi-Fan Zhang, Hui Jia, Shan-Shan Qi, Nisar Uddin and Irfan Ullah Khan
Plants 2024, 13(3), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13030355 - 25 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1023
Abstract
Nitrogen (N) is one of the most crucial elements for plant growth. However, a deficiency of N affects plant growth and development. Wedelia trilobata is a notorious invasive plant species that exhibits superior tolerance to adapt to environmental stresses. Yet, research on the [...] Read more.
Nitrogen (N) is one of the most crucial elements for plant growth. However, a deficiency of N affects plant growth and development. Wedelia trilobata is a notorious invasive plant species that exhibits superior tolerance to adapt to environmental stresses. Yet, research on the growth and antioxidant defensive system of invasive Wedelia under low N stress, which could contribute to understanding invasion mechanisms, is still limited. Therefore, this study aims to investigate and compare the tolerance capability of invasive and native Wedelia under low and normal N conditions. Native and invasive Wedelia species were grown in normal and low-N conditions using a hydroponic nutrient solution for 8 weeks to assess the photosynthetic parameters, antioxidant activity, and localization of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The growth and biomass of W. trilobata were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than W. chinensis under low N. The leaves of W. trilobata resulted in a significant increase in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll content by 40.2, 56.2, and 46%, respectively, compared with W. chinensis. W. trilobata significantly enhanced antioxidant defense systems through catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase by 18.6%, 20%, and 36.3%, respectively, providing a positive response to oxidative stress caused by low N. The PCA analysis showed that W. trilobata was 95.3% correlated with physiological traits by Dim1 (79.1%) and Dim2 (16.3%). This study provides positive feedback on W. trilobata with respect to its comprehensive invasion mechanism to improve agricultural systems via eco-friendly approaches in N deficit conditions, thereby contributing to the reclamation of barren land. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasion 2023)
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12 pages, 1702 KiB  
Article
Persistence of Root Exudates of Sorghum bicolor and Solidago canadensis: Impacts on Invasive and Native Species
by Muhammad Rahil Afzal, Misbah Naz, Raza Ullah and Daolin Du
Plants 2024, 13(1), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010058 - 23 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 881
Abstract
Root exudates of the invasive Solidago canadensis and the cereal crop Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv. ‘Hybridsorgo’ were tested for allelopathic interactions against native and invasive plant species in a controlled environment. After the surface was sterilized, the seeds of two invasive species [...] Read more.
Root exudates of the invasive Solidago canadensis and the cereal crop Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv. ‘Hybridsorgo’ were tested for allelopathic interactions against native and invasive plant species in a controlled environment. After the surface was sterilized, the seeds of two invasive species (Bromus sterilis and Veronica persica) and two native species (Youngia japonica and Rumex acetosa) were germinated and transplanted into the soil (1:1 mixture of coco peat and sand) that had been conditioned for one month by the cultivation of Solidago canadensis and Sorghum bicolor, both in combination or as unplanted controls. After an additional eight weeks of growth, morphometric measurements of the shoot and root, including foliar characteristics and above- and below-ground biomass accumulation, were performed. The results revealed significant inhibitory effects of root exudates released by Sorghum bicolor and Solidago canadensis on native species’ productivity and physiology. The invasive species exhibited variable growth responses, with Veronica persica showing reduced shoot and root expansion, but Bromus sterilis revealed increased shoot and root biomass allocation and nutrition under the exudate treatments. Exudates from Solidago canadensis and Sorghum bicolor together showed synergistic negative effects on native species, while they promoted growth and nutrition in Veronica persica. Taken together, the differential species responses indicate that the tested native species were more sensitive to the allelopathic compounds than the invasive species, which is in line with the theory of novel weapons. The legacy effects of root exudates of both Sorghum bicolor and Solidago canadensis could promote invasive establishment through imposing allelochemical interference competition against native plant species. Understanding the specific allelopathic mechanisms may help with the development of integrated strategies for managing invasive species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasion 2023)
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Review

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18 pages, 8330 KiB  
Review
The Invasive Mechanisms of the Noxious Alien Plant Species Bidens pilosa
by Hisashi Kato-Noguchi and Denny Kurniadie
Plants 2024, 13(3), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13030356 - 25 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1256
Abstract
Bidens pilosa L. is native to tropical America and has widely naturized from tropical to warm temperate regions in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. The species has infested a wide range of habitats such as grasslands, forests, wetlands, streamlines, [...] Read more.
Bidens pilosa L. is native to tropical America and has widely naturized from tropical to warm temperate regions in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. The species has infested a wide range of habitats such as grasslands, forests, wetlands, streamlines, coastal areas, pasture, plantations, agricultural fields, roadsides, and railway sides and has become a noxious invasive weed species. B. pilosa forms thick monospecific stands, quickly expands, and threatens the indigenous plant species and crop production. It is also involved in pathogen transmission as a vector. The species was reported to have (1) a high growth ability, producing several generations in a year; (2) a high achene production rate; (3) different biotypes of cypselae, differently germinating given the time and condition; (4) a high adaptative ability to various environmental conditions; (5) an ability to alter the microbial community, including mutualism with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; and (6) defense functions against natural enemies and allelopathy. The species produces several potential allelochemicals such as palmitic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, salycilic acid, quercetin, α-pinene, and limonene and compounds involved in the defense functions such as 1-phenylhepta-1,3,5-trine, 5-phenyl-2-(1-propynyl)-thiophene, 5-actoxy-2-phenylethinyl-thiophene, and icthyothereol acetate. These characteristics of B. pilosa may contribute to the naturalization and invasiveness of the species in the introduced ranges. This is the first review article focusing on the invasive mechanisms of the species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasion 2023)
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Other

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9 pages, 1032 KiB  
Perspective
Nitrogen Deposition Amplifies the Legacy Effects of Plant Invasion
by Miaomiao Cui, Haochen Yu, Xue Fan, Mohsin Nawaz, Junjie Lian, Shihong Liu, Zhaoqi Zhu, Haiyan Zhang, Daolin Du and Guangqian Ren
Plants 2024, 13(1), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010072 - 25 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 951
Abstract
The legacy effects of invasive plant species can hinder the recovery of native communities, especially under nitrogen deposition conditions, where invasive species show growth advantages and trigger secondary invasions in controlled areas. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate the effects of nitrogen [...] Read more.
The legacy effects of invasive plant species can hinder the recovery of native communities, especially under nitrogen deposition conditions, where invasive species show growth advantages and trigger secondary invasions in controlled areas. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate the effects of nitrogen deposition on the legacy effects of plant invasions and their mechanisms. The hypotheses of this study are as follows: (1) Nitrogen deposition amplifies the legacy effects of plant invasion. This phenomenon was investigated by analysing four potential mechanisms covering community system structure, nitrogen metabolism, geochemical cycles, and microbial mechanisms. The results suggest that microorganisms drive plant–soil feedback processes, even regulating or limiting other factors. (2) The impact of nitrogen deposition on the legacy effects of plant invasions may be intensified primarily through enhanced nitrogen metabolism via microbial anaerobes bacteria. Essential insights into invasion ecology and ecological management have been provided by analysing how nitrogen-fixing bacteria improve nitrogen metabolism and establish sustainable methods for controlling invasive plant species. This in-depth study contributes to our better understanding of the lasting effects of plant invasions on ecosystems and provides valuable guidance for future ecological management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasion 2023)
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