Editorial

3 pages, 182 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Effects of Invasive Alien Plant Species on Native Plant Diversity and Crop Yield

by Kamil Najberek, Barbara Tokarska-Guzik, Damian Chmura and Wojciech Solarz

Plants 2024, 13(6), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060888 - 20 Mar 2024

Viewed by 587

Invasive alien plant species may negatively affect the biological diversity of co-occurring native species, decrease the quality of invaded habitats, and even change the functioning of entire ecosystems [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Invasive Alien Plant Species on Native Plant Diversity and Crop Yield)

Research

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15 pages, 1510 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diverse Interactions: Root-Nodule Formation and Herb-Layer Composition in Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) Stands

by Ágnes Csiszár, Dániel Winkler, Dénes Bartha and Gergely Zagyvai

Plants 2023, 12(18), 3253; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12183253 - 13 Sep 2023

Viewed by 561

Abstract

The black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is the second-most abundant deciduous tree in forest plantations, and one of the most important invasive woody species worldwide. The species has a strong transformer capacity, especially expressed by its nitrogen enrichment effect caused by nitrogen-fixing [...] Read more.

The black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is the second-most abundant deciduous tree in forest plantations, and one of the most important invasive woody species worldwide. The species has a strong transformer capacity, especially expressed by its nitrogen enrichment effect caused by nitrogen-fixing bacteria living in its root-nodules. The aim of this study was to explore the mutually interacting factors of nitrogen-fixing root-nodules, site characteristics, and herb-layer composition of 28 North Hungarian black locust stands. In the herb-layers of the study sites, a total of 121 plant species were identified, representing a relatively low species richness. The studied black locust stands showed high variability both in their herb-layer compositions and root-nodule formation, but no clear relationship could be demonstrated between these characteristics. The PCA component with which the species richness and Shannon–Wiener diversity index were strongly correlated was negatively associated with all root-nodule parameters (number, surface area, and weight), supporting the biodiversity-reducing effect of black locust by its nitrogen-fixing bacteria. All of the root-nodule parameters were negatively correlated with the PCA factor predominantly determined by stand age, confirming that the root-nodule biomass decreases as time progresses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Invasive Alien Plant Species on Native Plant Diversity and Crop Yield)

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16 pages, 2988 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bohemian Knotweed Reynoutria × bohemica Chrtek et Chrtková Seems Not to Rely Heavily on Allelopathy for Its Persistence in Invaded Sites in the Southwest Part of the Zagreb, Croatia

by Damjana Levačić, Lucia Perković, Nina Vuković and Sven D. Jelaska

Plants 2023, 12(11), 2222; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12112222 - 05 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1226

Abstract

Notorious invasive Bohemian knotweed Reynoutria × bohemica Chrtek et Chrtková is a hybrid of two species, Reynoutria japonica Houtt. and Reynoutria sachalinensis (F. S. Petrop.) Nakai in T. Mori which spontaneously developed in Europe, outside the natural distribution of its parental species. Its [...] Read more.

Notorious invasive Bohemian knotweed Reynoutria × bohemica Chrtek et Chrtková is a hybrid of two species, Reynoutria japonica Houtt. and Reynoutria sachalinensis (F. S. Petrop.) Nakai in T. Mori which spontaneously developed in Europe, outside the natural distribution of its parental species. Its success could potentially lie in its allelopathic activity, which was confirmed in a number of experiments conducted with the leaf and root exudates, testing their effect on the germination and growth of various test plants. Here, we tested its allelopathic potential using different concentrations of leaf exudates on two test plants, Triticum aestivum L. and Sinapis alba L., in Petri dishes and pots with soil and by growing test plants in the soil sampled in knotweed stands on the edges of stands and outside of stands. Tests in Petri dishes and pots with soil to which leaf exudates were added have shown a decrease in germination and growth in comparison to the control, hence confirming the allelopathic effect. However, this was not confirmed in a test with in situ soil samples, where no statistically significant differences were observed, neither in the growth of test plants nor in the chemical characteristics (pH, soil organic matter, humus content) of the soil. Therefore, the persistence of Bohemian knotweed at already invaded sites could be attributed to its efficient use of resources (light and nutrients) through which it outcompetes native plants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Invasive Alien Plant Species on Native Plant Diversity and Crop Yield)

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17 pages, 2606 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Alien Plant Species Impact in Rice Crops in Northwestern Italy

by Ilda Vagge and Gemma Chiaffarelli

Plants 2023, 12(10), 2012; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12102012 - 17 May 2023

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Abstract

Alien species represent one of the causes of biodiversity loss, both in natural and anthropic environments. This study contributes to the assessment of alien species impact on Western Po Plain rice field cultivations, referring to different agricultural management practices and ecological traits. Flora [...] Read more.

Alien species represent one of the causes of biodiversity loss, both in natural and anthropic environments. This study contributes to the assessment of alien species impact on Western Po Plain rice field cultivations, referring to different agricultural management practices and ecological traits. Flora and vegetation were studied (the latter through the phytosociological method), and α-biodiversity was estimated through Shannon and Simpson Indices. Results highlighted a significant floristic contingent depletion and increase in therophyte and alien components, compared to pre-existing studies (1950s); higher α-biodiversity levels in organic farms, compared to conventional farms, but also a higher invasive alien species percentage. The high deterioration of the territorial–landscape context appears to play a major role in shaping these patterns. Some of these alien species are particularly aggressive (e.g., Murdannia keisak), as confirmed by two experimental rice field plots which were left unharvested, continuously flooded, making it possible to assess the competitiveness between weed species. The detected weed vegetation is attributed to the Oryzo sativae-Echinochloetum cruris-galli association, already described for Southern Europe, with two different ecological and floristic variants. Future studies, by including other sites and framing their territorial–landscape context, may further complement this overview on the alien species distribution and behavior in rice fields, hence facilitating their strategic management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Invasive Alien Plant Species on Native Plant Diversity and Crop Yield)

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15 pages, 2097 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extracts and Residues of Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) Cause Alterations in Root and Shoot Growth of Crops

by Rea Maria Hall, Helmut Wagentristl, Katharina Renner-Martin, Bernhard Urban, Nora Durec and Hans-Peter Kaul

Plants 2023, 12(9), 1768; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091768 - 26 Apr 2023

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Abstract

Following the novel weapon hypothesis, the invasiveness of non-native species, such as common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) can result from a loss of natural competitors due to the production of chemical compounds, which negatively affect native communities. Particularly the genus Ambrosia produces [...] Read more.

Following the novel weapon hypothesis, the invasiveness of non-native species, such as common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) can result from a loss of natural competitors due to the production of chemical compounds, which negatively affect native communities. Particularly the genus Ambrosia produces several types of organic compounds, which have the potential to inhibit germination and growth of other plants. Subsequent to an assessment of the chemical content of three different ragweed extracts (aqueous shoot and root extracts, as well as essential oil), two different trials on the effects of different concentrations of these extracts, as well as ragweed residues, were conducted on two different mediums (Petri dish vs. soil). In addition, we investigated the impact on the infection potential of Bradyrhizobium japonicum on soybean roots in three different soil types (arable soil, potting soil, and sand). The results showed that the exposure to common ragweed extracts and residues induced changes in the biomass and root production of crops and ragweed itself. Even though crops and ragweed differed in their response behavior, the strongest negative impact on all crops and ragweed was observed with ragweed residues, leading to reductions in biomass and root growth of up to 90%. Furthermore, we found a decrease in the number of rhizobial nodules of up to 48% when soybean was exposed to ragweed root extract. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Invasive Alien Plant Species on Native Plant Diversity and Crop Yield)

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18 pages, 5523 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Invasive Plant Impatiens glandulifera Manipulates Microbial Associates of Competing Native Species

by Nadia Ab Razak, Alan C. Gange, Brian C. Sutton and Asyraf Mansor

Plants 2023, 12(7), 1552; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12071552 - 04 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1694

Abstract

Impatiens glandulifera or Himalayan balsam is one of the most invasive weeds across Europe and can seriously reduce native plant diversity. It often forms continuous monocultures along river banks, but the mechanisms of this arrested succession are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the [...] Read more.

Impatiens glandulifera or Himalayan balsam is one of the most invasive weeds across Europe and can seriously reduce native plant diversity. It often forms continuous monocultures along river banks, but the mechanisms of this arrested succession are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on balsam competitive ability with two native plant species, Plantago lanceolata and Holcus lanatus. We also studied how competition with Impatiens affects colonisation by foliar endophytes and mycorrhizas of two other co-occurring native species, Urtica dioica and Cirsium arvense. Mycorrhizal colonisation reduced balsam growth when the plants were grown singly, but appeared to have little effect when balsam experienced intra- or interspecific competition. Competition with balsam together with the addition of mycorrhizas had no effect on P. lanceolata biomass, suggesting that the fungi were beneficial to the latter, enabling it to compete effectively with balsam. However, this was not so with H. lanatus. Meanwhile, competition with Impatiens reduced endophyte numbers and mycorrhizal colonisation in U. dioica and C. arvense, leading to enhanced susceptibility of these plants to insect attack. Himalayan balsam is known to degrade soil fungal populations and can also reduce foliar beneficial fungi in neighbouring plants. This allows the plant to compete effectively with itself and other native species, thereby leading to the continuous monocultures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Invasive Alien Plant Species on Native Plant Diversity and Crop Yield)

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22 pages, 4443 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Invasion of a Horticultural Plant into Forests: Lamium galeobdolon argentatum Affects Native Above-Ground Vegetation and Soil Properties

by Hans-Peter Rusterholz, Katharina Huber and Bruno Baur

Plants 2023, 12(7), 1527; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12071527 - 31 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1768

Abstract

Horticultural trade is considered the most important pathway for the introduction of non-native plant species. Numerous horticultural plants are spreading from private gardens and public green space into natural habitats and have the potential to alter native biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. We assessed [...] Read more.

Horticultural trade is considered the most important pathway for the introduction of non-native plant species. Numerous horticultural plants are spreading from private gardens and public green space into natural habitats and have the potential to alter native biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. We assessed the invasiveness of the horticultural plant Lamium galeobdolon subsp. argentatum. We documented its spread in semi-natural habitats in the surroundings of Basel, Switzerland, over the past decades. We compared the performance of L. g. argentatum with that of the native subspecies Lamium galeobdolon galeobdolon based on surveys in forests and a pot experiment under standardized conditions. We also assessed whether the two subspecies differentially affect native forest vegetation and various physical, chemical and biological soil properties. The horticultural L. g. argentatum has tripled its occurrence in forests in the region of Basel in the last four decades. Lamium g. argentatum had both a higher growth rate and regeneration capacity than the native subspecies. Furthermore, L. g. argentatum reduced native plant species richness and changed the species composition of the ground vegetation, in addition to altering several soil properties in deciduous forests. Lamium g. argentatum should therefore be considered an invasive taxon. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Invasive Alien Plant Species on Native Plant Diversity and Crop Yield)

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Review

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19 pages, 6178 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Impact and Invasive Mechanisms of Pueraria montana var. lobata, One of the World’s Worst Alien Species

by Hisashi Kato-Noguchi

Plants 2023, 12(17), 3066; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12173066 - 26 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1721

Abstract

Pueraria montana var. lobata is native to East Asia, and was introduced to many countries due to its potential for multiple uses. This species escaped under the management conditions soon after its introduction, and became a harmful weed species. This species has been [...] Read more.

Pueraria montana var. lobata is native to East Asia, and was introduced to many countries due to its potential for multiple uses. This species escaped under the management conditions soon after its introduction, and became a harmful weed species. This species has been listed in the top 100 of the world’s worst invasive alien species. P. montana stands expand quickly and threaten the native flora and fauna including microbiota. This species affects the concentration of carbon and nitrogen in soil and aquatic environments, and increases the amount of pollutants in the local atmosphere. Its infestation also causes serious economic losses on forestry and agriculture. Its characteristics of fast growth, thick canopy structure, enormous vegetative reproduction, and adaptative ability to the various environmental conditions may contribute to the invasiveness and naturalization of this species. The characteristics of P. montana regarding their defense functions against their natural enemies and pathogens, and allelopathy may also contribute to the invasiveness of this species. Potential allelochemicals such as xanthoxins, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, methyl caffeate and daidzein, and two isoflavones with anti-virus activity were identified in this species. In addition, fewer herbivore insects were found in the introduced ranges. These characteristics of P. montana may be involved in the invasive mechanisms of the species. This is the first review article focusing on the invasive mechanisms of this species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Invasive Alien Plant Species on Native Plant Diversity and Crop Yield)

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