Clonal integration affects growth, photosynthetic efficiency and biomass allocation, but not the competitive ability, of the alien invasive Alternanthera philoxeroides under severe stress

Background and Aims: Many notorious alien invasive plants are clonal, but littleis known about some roles and aspects of clonal integration.Here, the hypothesis is tested that clonal integration affectsgrowth, photosynthetic efficiency, biomass allocation and competitiveability of the exotic invasive weed Alternanthera philoxeroides(Amaranthaceae). Methods: The apical parts of Alternanthera were grown either with orwithout the lawn grass Schedonorus phoenix (tall fescue) andtheir stolon connections to the basal parts grown without competitorswere either severed or left intact. Key Results: Competition greatly reduced the maximum quantum yield of photosystemII (F_v/F_m) and growth (biomass, number of ramets and leaves,total stolon length and total leaf area) of the apical Alternanthera,but not the biomass of S. phoenix. Stolon connections significantlyincreased F_v/F_m and growth of Alternanthera. However, such effectson growth were smaller with than without competition and stolonconnections did not alter the relative neighbour effect of Alternanthera.Stolon connections increased Alternanthera's biomass allocationto roots without competition, but decreased it with competition. Conclusions: Clonal integration contributed little to Alternanthera's competitiveability, but was very important for Alternanthera to exploreopen space. The results suggest that the invasiveness of Alternantheramay be closely related to clonal integration.     

空心莲子草叶甲对越冬保护的响应与控害效能

空心莲子草叶甲Agasicles hygrophila是入侵杂草空心莲子草Alternan thera philoxeroide的重要天敌,冬春季低温冰冻是影响其安全越冬的关键胁迫因子。为了探明采取保护措施是否能提高越冬后的种群基数问题,在低温冰冻天气来临前,用塑料膜覆盖网室构建空心莲子草与空心莲子草叶甲保护生境(PH),分低温期(2009年1月21日至4月9日)、升温期(4月15日至5月1日)与自然生境(NH)中叶甲成虫初现期(从6月1日至29日)3个阶段,调查比较PH与NH两类生境中空心莲子草叶甲种群数量、结构、空间生态位分布特征及控害效能。结果表明:在保护生境中,低温期空心莲子草叶甲不休眠,且能安全越冬,当晴天温度较高时,成虫主要在直立茎或嫩枝上活动取食、补充营养,而在阴雨低温天气则停留在匍匐草层或土壤表层、缝隙中,少活动。随着气温回升,成虫转移到直立茎生态位上活动取食,并于4月上旬开始产卵繁殖,种群数量迅速增加,对空心莲子草的地上部分有较好的控制效果。在自然生境中,直到6月初才见少量成虫活动,此时草生长茂密,较低的空心莲子草叶甲种群难以发挥生防因子的作用。比较两种生境中6月1日与6月15日的控草效果显示,空心莲子草株高增长率分别为:PH-13.91%,NH-2.94%,NH中空心莲子草株高极显著高于PH,且单株生物量的控制率为PH(47.56%)极显著高于NH(4.89%)。在6月15日与29日的调查表明,单株叶片控制效果PH极显著优于NH,PH中的空心莲子草茎上均无叶,叶片或被取食殆尽、或被害后干枯脱落。茎被害率、茎蛀孔数与蛀茎率均为PH极显著高于NH。结果说明覆膜保护能显著提高叶甲越冬种群基数,使其提前进入繁殖期,从而能更有效地控制生境中的空心莲子草。     

Phenotypic plasticity rather than locally adapted ecotypes allows the invasive alligator weed to colonize a wide range of habitats

Both phenotypic plasticity and locally adapted ecotypes may contribute to the success of invasive species in a wide range of habitats. Here, we conducted common garden experiments and molecular marker analysis to test the two alternative hypotheses in invasive alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides), which colonizes both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Ninety individuals from three pairs of aquatic versus terrestrial populations across southern China were analyzed, using inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker, to examine population differentiation in neutral loci. Two common gardens simulating aquatic and terrestrial habitats were set up to examine population differentiation in quantitative traits. We found no evidence of population differentiation in both neutral loci and quantitative traits. Most individuals shared the same ISSR genotype. Meanwhile, plants from different habitats showed similar reaction norms across the two common gardens. In particular, plants allocated much more biomass to the belowground roots in the terrestrial environment, where alligator weed may lose part or all of the aboveground shoots because of periodical or accidental disturbances, than those in the aquatic environment. The combined evidence from molecular marker analysis and common garden experiments support the plasticity hypothesis rather than the ecotype hypothesis in explaining the adaptation of alligator weed in a wide range of habitats.     

Effects of clonal integration and nitrogen supply on responses of a clonal plant to short-term herbivory

Aims Clonal integration, i.e. resource sharing between interconnected ramets, can help clonal plants tolerate abiotic stress. However, few studies have directly examined the ecological significance of clonal integration in the ability of clonal plants to tolerate biotic stress such as herbivory.     

不同水陆生境下入侵种喜旱莲子草与土著种莲子草表型变异和细胞渗透势调节能力的比较研究

喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides(Mart.)Griseb.)能成功入侵不同水陆生境,而其同属近缘种莲子草(A.sessilis(Linn.)DC.)适于生长在潮湿的陆地环境中。为揭示两物种生态幅差异的机理及与其入侵潜力的关系,我们在模拟不同水陆生境的同质园环境下,比较了喜旱莲子草和莲子草的形态特征、细胞渗透势变异状况和细胞内溶质物质合成相关基因(蛋氨酸合成酶基因)的表达水平。结果表明:喜旱莲子草对环境变异更敏感,表型变异幅度更大,具有更有效的渗透势调节能力;蛋氨酸合成酶基因在喜旱莲子草进入水生环境的早期阶段表现出短暂上调的特殊表达趋势。这说明有效的细胞渗透势调节机制与喜旱莲子草对不同水陆生境的广泛适应性和较强的表型可塑性能力可能有关,从而帮助其在不同生境中成功入侵。     

Recovery dynamics of growth, photosynthesis and carbohydrate accumulation after de-submergence: a comparison between two wetland plants showing escape and quiescence strategies

Background and Aims

The capacity for fast-growth recovery after de-submergence is important for establishment of riparian species in a water-level-fluctuation zone. Recovery patterns of two wetland plants, Alternanthera philoxeroides and Hemarthria altissima, showing ‘escape’ and ‘quiescence’ responses, respectively, during submergence were investigated.

Methods

Leaf and root growth and photosynthesis were monitored continuously during 10 d of recovery following 20 d of complete submergence. Above- and below-ground dry weights, as well as carbohydrate concentrations, were measured several times during the experiment.

Key Results

Both species remobilized stored carbohydrate during submergence. Although enhanced internode elongation depleted the carbohydrate storage in A. philoxeroides during submergence, this species resumed leaf growth 3 d after de-submergence concomitant with restoration of the maximal photosynthetic capacity. In contrast, some sucrose was conserved in shoots of H. altissima during submergence, which promoted rapid re-growth of leaves 2 d after de-submergence and earlier than the full recovery of photosynthesis. The recovery of root growth was delayed by 1–2 d compared with leaves in both species.

Conclusions

Submergence tolerance of the escape and quiescence strategies entails not only the corresponding regulation of growth, carbohydrate catabolism and energy metabolism during submergence but also co-ordinated recovery of photosynthesis, growth and carbohydrate partitioning following de-submergence.     

莲子草假隔链格孢SF 193固体发酵培养基的筛选及其对空心莲子草的控制效果

【背景】空心莲子草是一种源于南美洲且正在我国不断传播的外来入侵植物。莲子草假隔链格孢是空心莲子草的强致病菌,能引起空心莲子草茎叶发病,抑制空心莲子草生长。【方法】选择以麦麸、大米、玉米芯粉、玉米粉、稻秸秆粉为基料,棉籽壳、稻秕壳和大豆粉为辅料,按照一定质量比配制固体培养基,筛选适合莲子草假隔链格孢SF-193大量生产的有效组分;同时研究培养基含水量和6种金属离子对SF-193菌落生长的影响。【结果】在以大米和大豆粉质量比为3:1和5:1的培养基上SF-193菌落面积最大,其次为大米和棉籽壳质量比为5:1的培养基。在含水量为20%和30%的培养基上SF-193菌落面积显著大于其他培养基。Mg2+和Mn2+对SF-193菌落生长影响较小,Zn2+对SF-193菌落生长具有显著的抑制作用,而SF-193菌落在含Cu2+和Fe3+的培养基上不能生长。田间控草试验表明,固体发酵生产的菌粉对空心莲子草的致病性显著高于液体菌,用量为50g.m-2时,10d后空心莲子草的病情指数达86.1。【结论与意义】利用固体培养基发酵生产的莲子草假隔链格孢对空心莲子草的防除效果显著优于液体发酵。因此,莲子草假隔链格孢SF-193固体发酵菌粉可能在生物防治空心莲子草方面具有重要作用。     

南方菟丝子寄生对喜旱莲子草生长及群落多样性的影响

菟丝子属植物是一种有潜力的入侵植物的生物防治剂。以南方菟丝子(Cuscuta australis)天然寄生的喜旱莲子草(Alternanthera philoxeroides)群落为研究对象,对比分析了南方菟丝子寄生对入侵植物喜旱莲子草生长的影响,同时采用群落调查的方法分析南方菟丝子寄生对入侵群落多样性的影响,以判断南方菟丝子是否具有防治喜旱莲子草的能力。结果表明南方菟丝子寄生可以降低喜旱莲子草的根生物量、茎生物量、叶生物量和总生物量,但与对照之间均不存在显著性差异;南方菟丝子寄生可以显著降低茎生物量比,显著增加根生物量比和根冠比。在无南方菟丝子寄生的喜旱莲子草群落中,除南方菟丝子和喜旱莲子草外,共有10科14属14种植物;而在南方菟丝子寄生的喜旱莲子草群落中,除南方菟丝子和喜旱莲子草外,共有16科27属28种植物,南方菟丝子能以产生吸器而寄生生长的植物共有19种,占样地植物种数的67.86%。南方菟丝子寄生可使群落物种丰富度显著性增加,也可使群落Simpson指数、Shannon-Wiener指数、McIntosh指数和均匀度指数增加,但是与对照之间不存在显著性差异。南方菟丝子寄生使喜旱莲子草的多度显著性下降,使喜旱莲子草的盖度和高度下降,但与未寄生的喜旱莲子草群落相比不存在显著性差异。但是南方菟丝子寄生可使喜旱莲子草在群落上的相对盖度、相对高度和相对多度均显著性下降,从而导致群落中喜旱莲子草的重要值显著性下降。南方菟丝子寄生可以在一定程度上抑制入侵植物喜旱莲子草的生长,促使群落多样性增加,促进本地群落的恢复。     

盐胁迫对空心莲子草生长和光合作用的影响

用NaCl浓度为0(对照)、50、100、150、200、250、300、350mmol/L处理空心莲子草[Alternantheraphiloxeroides(Mart.)Griseb]。结果表明:盐胁迫下,植株鲜重、干重和根冠比都下降,含水量和肉质化程度先略高于对照,而后逐渐下降;根、茎和叶中Na 含量呈上升趋势,而K 含量呈下降趋势,且在同一浓度的盐处理下,叶的Na 和K 含量最高,茎的次之,根的最低;游离氨基酸(free amino acid,FAA)逐渐减少,脯氨酸(proline,Pro)含量先略低于对照,而后则急剧上升,可溶性糖含量(soluble sugar,SS)的变化正相反;净光合速率(net photosynthetic rate,Pn)、气孔导度(stomatal conductance,Gs)和蒸腾速率(transpirationrate,Tr)呈下降趋势,胞间CO2浓度(intercellular CO2concentration,Ci)呈上升趋势;膜稳定性呈下降趋势。因此,空心莲子草是一种盐生植物,且最适盐浓度较低;Na 主要积累在地上部的茎和叶中。推测它有可能向盐渍土壤蔓延。     

6-BA对水花生抗氧化酶系 Hg2+毒害的缓解作用

通过外施不同浓度的细胞分裂素类物质 6- BA( 6-苄氨基嘌呤 ) ,对 Hg2 污染下的水花生 ( Alternan-thera philoxeroides( Mart.) Griseb.)抗氧化酶系的变化进行了研究 ,结果发现 :不同浓度的 6- BA对重金属毒害均有缓解作用。过氧化物酶 ( POD)、超氧化物歧化酶 ( SOD)、过氧化氢酶 ( CAT)的活性均不同程度的提高 ,丙二醛 ( MDA)及活性氧 ( O· - 2 )含量的增加变慢。表现在外部形态上 ,6- BA延缓了叶片失绿、腐烂过程 ,新根生长受抑制的现象在低 Hg2 浓度下也明显缓解 ;不同浓度的 6- BA作用效果不同 :在 Hg2 毒害下 ,2× 1 0 - 5mol/L6- BA对 SOD、MDA和 O· - 2 伤害的缓解效果最好 ,而 POD、CAT的破坏在 3× 1 0 - 5mol/L浓度下缓解效果最显著 ;6- BA缓解重金属毒害的作用可能与调节活性氧代谢及蛋白质的表达有关。