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Kharel N, Dangol A, Shrestha A, Airi H, Devkota A, Thapa LB, Shrestha BB. Germination patterns and seedling growth of congeneric native and invasive Mimosa species: Implications for risk assessment. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11312. [PMID: 38651163 PMCID: PMC11033625 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Comparisons of plant traits between native and invasive congeners are useful approaches for identifying characteristics that promote invasiveness. We compared germination patterns and seedling growth of locally sympatric populations of native Mimosa himalayana and two varieties of invasive M. diplotricha (var. diplotricha and var. inermis) growing in southeastern Nepal. Seeds were germinated under a 12-h photoperiod or complete dark, low (25/15°C day/night) and high (30/20°C) temperatures, different water stress levels (0, -0.1, -0.25, -0.5, -0.75 and -1.0 MPa), and soil depths (0, 2, and 4 cm). Plant height, biomass allocations, and relative growth rate (RGR) of seedlings were measured. Invasive M. diplotricha had higher germination percentage, rate, and shorter germination time compared with the native species. Germination of both congeners declined as water stress increased, but the decline was more pronounced in native species. Seedling emergence declined with increasing depth in all taxa. The seedlings of invasive species were taller with higher leaf number and allocated greater proportion of biomass to shoot, whereas the native congener allocated greater biomass to root. The RGR was nearly twice as high in invasive species as it was in the native congener. Seedling height and number of leaves were always higher in invasive than in native species, and the native-invasive differences increased over time. Better germination and higher growth performance of invasive species than the congeneric native one suggests that seed germination and seedling growth can be useful traits for the prediction of species' invasiveness in their introduced range during risk assessment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Kharel
- Central Department of BotanyTribhuvan UniversityKathmandu, KirtipurNepal
| | - Anuj Dangol
- Central Department of BotanyTribhuvan UniversityKathmandu, KirtipurNepal
| | - Ashmita Shrestha
- Central Department of BotanyTribhuvan UniversityKathmandu, KirtipurNepal
| | - Hemanti Airi
- Central Department of BotanyTribhuvan UniversityKathmandu, KirtipurNepal
| | - Anjana Devkota
- Central Department of BotanyTribhuvan UniversityKathmandu, KirtipurNepal
| | - Lal Bahadur Thapa
- Central Department of BotanyTribhuvan UniversityKathmandu, KirtipurNepal
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Guan M, Pan XC, Sun JK, Chen JX, Kong DL, Feng YL. Nitrogen acquisition strategy and its effects on invasiveness of a subtropical invasive plant. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1243849. [PMID: 37670857 PMCID: PMC10475947 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1243849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Preference and plasticity in nitrogen (N) form uptake are the main strategies with which plants absorb soil N. However, little effort has been made to explore effects of N form acquisition strategies, especially the plasticity, on invasiveness of exotic plants, although many studies have determined the effects of N levels (e.g. N deposition). Methods To address this problem, we studied the differences in N form acquisition strategies between the invasive plant Solidago canadensis and its co-occurring native plant Artemisia lavandulaefolia, effects of soil N environments, and the relationship between N form acquisition strategy of S. canadensis and its invasiveness using a 15N-labeling technique in three habitats at four field sites. Results Total biomass, root biomass, and the uptakes of soil dissolved inorganic N (DIN) per quadrat were higher for the invasive relative to the native species in all three habitats. The invader always preferred dominant soil N forms: NH4 + in habitats with NH4 + as the dominant DIN and NO3 - in habitats with NO3 - as the dominant DIN, while A. lavandulaefolia consistently preferred NO3 - in all habitats. Plasticity in N form uptake was higher in the invasive relative to the native species, especially in the farmland. Plant N form acquisition strategy was influenced by both DIN levels and the proportions of different N forms (NO3 -/NH4 +) as judged by their negative effects on the proportional contributions of NH4 + to plant N (f NH4 +) and the preference for NH4 + (β NH4 +). In addition, total biomass was positively associated with f NH4 + or β NH4 + for S. canadensis, while negatively for A. lavandulaefolia. Interestingly, the species may prefer to absorb NH4 + when soil DIN and/or NO3 -/NH4 + ratio were low, and root to shoot ratio may be affected by plant nutrient status per se, rather than by soil nutrient availability. Discussion Our results indicate that the superior N form acquisition strategy of the invader contributes to its higher N uptake, and therefore to its invasiveness in different habitats, improving our understanding of invasiveness of exotic plants in diverse habitats in terms of utilization of different N forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Guan
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao-Cui Pan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, School of Life Sciences, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian-Kun Sun
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ji-Xin Chen
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - De-Liang Kong
- College of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yu-Long Feng
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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Zhang C, Wang ST, Li JZ, Feng YL. Molecular bases for the stronger plastic response to high nitrate in the invasive plant Xanthium strumarium compared with its native congener. PLANTA 2023; 258:61. [PMID: 37542564 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-023-04220-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION High expressions of nitrate use and photosynthesis-related transcripts contribute to the stronger plasticity to high nitrate for the invader relative to its native congener, which may be driven by hormones. Strong phenotypic plasticity is often considered as one of the main mechanisms underlying exotic plant invasions. However, few studies have been conducted to investigate the related molecular mechanisms. Here, we determined the differences in the plastic responses to high nitrate between the invasive plant X. strumarium and its native congener, and the molecular bases by transcriptome analysis and quantitative real-time PCR validation. Our results showed that the invader had higher plasticity of growth, nitrogen accumulation and photosynthesis in responses to high nitrate than its native congener. Compared with its congener, more N utilization-related transcripts, including nitrate transporter 1/peptide transporter family 6.2 and nitrate reductase 1, were induced by high nitrate in the root of X. strumarium, improving its N utilization ability. More transcripts coding for photosynthetic antenna proteins were also induced by high nitrate in the shoot of X. strumarium, enhancing its photosynthesis. Hormones may be involved in the regulation of the plastic responses to high nitrate in the two species. Our study contributes to understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the stronger plasticity of the invader in responses to high nitrate, and the potential function of plant hormones in these processes, providing bases for precise control of invasive plants using modern molecular techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Zhang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, Liaoning, China
| | - Shi-Ting Wang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, Liaoning, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Li
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, Liaoning, China
| | - Yu-Long Feng
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, 110866, Liaoning, China.
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Sun JK, Liu MC, Tang KQ, Tang EX, Cong JM, Lu XR, Liu ZX, Feng YL. Advantages of growth and competitive ability of the invasive plant Solanum rostratum over two co-occurring natives and the effects of nitrogen levels and forms. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1169317. [PMID: 37143880 PMCID: PMC10151799 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1169317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has often been considered as a driver of exotic plant invasions. However, most related studies focused on the effects of soil N levels, and few on those of N forms, and few related studies were conducted in the fields. Methods In this study, we grew Solanum rostratum, a notorious invader in arid/semi-arid and barren habitats, and two coexisting native plants Leymus chinensis and Agropyron cristatum in mono- and mixed cultures in the fields in Baicheng, northeast China, and investigated the effects of N levels and forms on the invasiveness of S. rostratum. Results Compared with the two native plants, S. rostratum had higher aboveground and total biomass in both mono- and mixed monocultures under all N treatments, and higher competitive ability under almost all N treatments. N addition enhanced the growth and competitive advantage of the invader under most conditions, and facilitated invasion success of S. rostratum. The growth and competitive ability of the invader were higher under low nitrate relative to low ammonium treatment. The advantages of the invader were associated with its higher total leaf area and lower root to shoot ratio compared with the two native plants. The invader also had a higher light-saturated photosynthetic rate than the two native plants in mixed culture (not significant under high nitrate condition), but not in monoculture. Discussion Our results indicated that N (especially nitrate) deposition may also promote invasion of exotic plants in arid/semi-arid and barren habitats, and the effects of N forms and interspecific competition need to be taken into consideration when studying the effects of N deposition on invasion of exotic plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Kun Sun
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ming-Chao Liu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Kai-Qi Tang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - En-Xiong Tang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jian-Min Cong
- College of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Taizhou Vocational College of Science & Technology, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiu-Rong Lu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhi-Xiang Liu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi-Xiang Liu, ; Yu-Long Feng,
| | - Yu-Long Feng
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- *Correspondence: Zhi-Xiang Liu, ; Yu-Long Feng,
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Wang WB, Gao FF, Feng WW, Wu QY, Feng YL. The native stem holoparasitic Cuscuta japonica suppresses the invasive plant Ambrosia trifida and related mechanisms in different light conditions in northeast China. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:904326. [PMID: 36212307 PMCID: PMC9539100 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.904326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence from low-latitude ranges has demonstrated that native parasitic plants are promising biocontrol agents for some major invasive weeds. However, related mechanisms and the effect of environments on the control effect of the parasite are still unclear. In addition, few related studies have been conducted in high latitude (>40°), where the exotic plant richness is the highest in the globe, but natural enemies are relatively scarce. During field surveys, a Cuscuta species was found on the cosmopolitan invasive weed Ambrosia trifida L. in Shenyang, northeast China. Here, we first studied the impacts of the parasite on the invader at three sites with different light regimes and related mechanisms, then the haustorial connections between the parasite and the invader using anatomy and measurement of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotope compositions (δ13C, δ15N), and finally identified the parasite using two molecular marks. The parasite was identified as C. japonica Choisy. This native holoparasitic vine posed serious C rather than N limitation to the invader, explaining its greatly inhibitory effects on the invader. Its negative effects were stronger on reproductive relative to vegetative growth, and at high relative to low light habitats, which indicated that the higher the vigor of the host is, the higher the impact of the parasite pose. The parasite could establish haustorial connections with phloem, xylem, and pith of the invader and thus obtain resources from both leaves and roots, which was confirmed by difference of δ13C and δ15N between the two species. The parasite had significantly higher leaf C concentrations and δ13C than its invasive host, being a strong C sink of the parasitic association. Our results indicate that C. japonica may be a promising biological control agent for the noxious invader in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Bin Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Fan-Fan Gao
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei-Wei Feng
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qi-Ye Wu
- College of Plant Protection, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yu-Long Feng
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
- College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, China
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