Soil water dynamics,transpiration, and water losses in a crested wheatgrass and native shortgrass ecosystem

The status of water in soil and vegetation was monitored in a stand of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) and a nearby shortgrass steppe during a growing season. This was done to determine if water use and losses were similar among two very different communities in a similar climate. Precipitation was similar throughout the study period for both the crested wheatgrass and native shortgrass communities. However, the native shortgrass community with greater root biomass had consistently greater soil water depletion in the deeper soil horizons than was found in the crested wheatgrass community. Greater depletion of soil water by native shortgrass species suggests that they might be more competitive than crested wheatgrass in a water-limited environment.Crested wheatgrass maintained high leaf water potential early in the season, but lower water potential during the latter part of the growing season as compared with the major species of the shortgrass steppe, blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) and western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii). Leaf conductance was lower for crested wheatgrass than for the native grasses during the later part of the growing season. Consequently, seasonal transpiration for crested wheatgrass was lower when compared with blue grama or western wheatgrass. Lower conductance allowed crested wheatgrass to maintain relatively high internal water potential and may have accounted for less soil water use at deeper soil depths during the latter part of the growing season.Water loss through transpiration was less for western wheatgrass than for either blue grama or crested wheatgrass because western wheatgrass had less leaf area. However, western wheatgrass was as efficient as the other species in its use of water. Crested wheatgrass transpired more water than blue grama early in the growing season, but less than either native species for the remainder of the growing season. Estimated seasonal transpiration loss was greater in the shortgrass ecosystem than in the established crested wheatgrass stand.     

The Influence of Stress Conditions on Chlorophyll Content of Two Range Grasses with Contrasting Photosynthetic Pathways

The influence of various treatments and temperature regimeson total chlorophylls and on the chlorophyll a:b ratio of westernwheatgrass and blue grama plants was investigated at differenttime intervals during the 120-day growth period. Western wheatgrass,a C₃ species, accumulated greater amounts of chlorophyll thandid blue grama plants, a C₄ species. Maximum concentrations(mg gd wt^–1) of chlorophylls in western wheatgrass andin blue grama were recorded at the lower (13/7°C) and higher(30/18°C) temperature regimes. Nitrogen fertilizer alonedecreased the chlorophyll content in both species. The chlorophylla:b ratio in blue grama ranged from an average of 2·00under irrigated plus fertilized conditions to 3·00 undercontrol and fertilized conditions. On the other hand, the chlorophylla:b ratio in western wheatgrass remained constant at 3·00throughout the growing season under various treatments and temperatureregimes.     

The response of mycorrhizal colonization to elevated CO2 and climate change in Pascopyrum smithii and Bouteloua gracilis

Large intact soil cores of nearly pure stands of Pascopyrum smithii (western wheatgrass, C₃) and Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama, C₄) were extracted from the Central Plains Experimental Range in northeastern Colorado, USA and transferred to controlled environment chambers. Cores were exposed to a variety of water, temperature and CO₂ regimes for a total of four annual growth cycles. Root subsamples were harvested after the completion of the second and fourth growth cycles at a time corresponding to late winter, and were examined microscopically for the presence of mycorrhizae. After two growth cycles in the growth chambers, 54% of the root length was colonized in P. smithii, compared to 35% in blue grama. Field control plants had significantly lower colonization. Elevation of CO₂ increased mycorrhizal colonization in B. gracilis by 46% but had no effect in P. smithii. Temperatures 4° C higher than normal decreased colonization in P. smithii by 15%. Increased annual precipitation decreased colonization in both species. Simulated climate change conditions of elevated CO₂, elevated temperature and lowered precipitation decreased colonization in P. smithii but had less effect on B. gracilis. After four growth cycles in P. smithii, trends of treatments remained similar, but overall colonization rate decreased.     

Genetic variability of Bouteloua gracilis populations differing in forage production at the southernmost part of the North American Graminetum

Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama grass) native populations have been shown to be highly variable, however the genetic basis of this variability has not been well established. Determining the extent of genetic variability within and among plant populations have important repercussions for the management and conservation of species, and in particular for those subjected to intensive use such as forage plants. Using RAPD, this study was undertaken to investigate the genetic variability of four B. gracilis native populations developed in three grasslands and one shrubland at the southernmost part of the North American Graminetum in México. Significant differences in grass aboveground production were found among the study sites, while considerable genetic variation within each of the four blue grama populations evaluated was detected. The molecular analysis, based on 55 individuals, revealed a total of 108 scorable repeatable bands, with 99 of them being polymorphic (overall polymorphism= 91.7%). Within every population each individual was genetically distinct and no population-specific bands (fixed marker differences) were identified. Pair-wise Φ _ST comparisons indicated that the four blue grama populations examined were significantly different in their genetic constitution (P<0.001). AMOVA revealed that most of the genetic variation detected in Bouteloua gracilis was explained by intra- (88.53%), rather than by inter-population (11.47%) differences. UPGMA based on the Φ _ST values indicated that the blue grama population collected from the shrubland displayed the RAPD profiles that most differed among the study sites. Possible causes of these results could reside on intensive grazing reducing, and proper management conserving, the forage production and genetic diversity of blue grama native populations. Our results are consistent with previous studies analyzing population genetic variation in outcrossing grasses and, in particular, with ecological and cytological evidence for a high genetic variability in native populations of B. gracilis. The implications of our findings and prospective studies to be undertaken using molecular tools in the study of blue grama biology and ecology are discussed. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The selective allelopathic interaction of a pasture-forest intercropping in Taiwan

Summary An allelopathic interaction of a pasture-forest intercropping system was evaluated by experiments conducted in field and by laboratory assays. A study site was situated in the farm of Hoshe Forestry Experiment Station at Nantou County, Taiwan. After deforestation of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), a split plot design of 4 treatments, namely litter removed, litter removed and kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) planted, litter left, and litter left and grass planted, was composed. Field meaurements showed that the fir litter left on the ground did not significantly inhibit the growth of weeds, kikuyu grass, and fir seedlings in the first four months following deforestation, while kikuyu grass significantly suppressed the growth of weeds longer than four months but did not reduce growth of fir seedlings. The aqueous extracts of fresh fir leaves, fir litter, and kikuyu leaves were bioassayed by using lettuce and rice seeds and stolon cuttings ofBrachiaria mutica. Bioassays showed that fresh fir leaves produced significant phytotoxicity while fir litter and kikuyu grass gave limited toxicity. Nine phytotoxic phenolics and many unidentified flavonoids were found in the leaf and litter of Chinese fir and kikuyu leaves. A good correlation between the degree of phytotoxicity and phytotoxins was obtained, indicating an allelopathy was involved. This finding suggests that allelopathy may contribute benefits in the intercropping system to reduce the need for herbicides and to lessen the labor cost for weed control. Paper No. 304 of the Scientific Journal Series of the Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. This study was supported in part by grants of Academia Sinica, Taipei, and Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan of the Republic of China.     

Biochemical composition of Tunisian Nigella sativa L. at different growth stages and assessment of the phytotoxic potential of its organic fractions

The present study was conducted to study some biochemical characteristics of Tunisian Nigella sativa at different developmental stages of plant growth (vegetative, flowering and fruiting stages) and to screen the chemical constituents and the phytotoxic activity of their organic extracts on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The GC–MS analysis of petroleum ether fractions revealed that N. sativa seeds were rich in linoleic acid (58% of total fatty acids), oleic acid (22% of total fatty acids) and palmitic acid (12% of total fatty acids). The fatty acid composition of aerial parts showed an increase in the level of saturated fatty acids accompanied by a concomitant decrease of polyunsaturated fatty acids levels during the developmental stage. The phytochemical investigation showed that among the organic extracts, the methanolic extract from aerial parts harvested at the fruiting stage contained the highest amounts of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The phytotoxic study revealed that N. sativa negatively affected the growth of lettuce plants. This effect was largely dependent on the developmental stage at which material was collected and the nature of extracting solvent. The methanolic extract of aerial parts harvested at the vegetative stage was the most active on seedling growth of lettuce.     

Phytotoxic potential of soils and wheat straw in rice rotation cropping systems of subtropical Taiwan

Using a wheat seed bio assay, the phytotoxicity of extracts obtained from wheat and rice rhizosphere soils was determined. The wheat rhizosphere soil extract was found to show phytotoxic effects. More allelopathic materials were found from the wheat-rice rotation soils than from the rice soil. Extracts obtained under basic conditions (pH 8) were found to be more inhibitory than those obtained by acid extraction (pH 5). Wheat straw was found also to contain phytotoxic substances. A comparison of two methods in concentrating the aqueous extracts, rotary evaporation and lyophilization, indicates that the former contained more substances with phytotoxic effects.     

Metabolomics approach to investigate phytotoxic effects of Wedelia trilobata leaves,litter and soil

Although release and accumulation of plant metabolites from plant into soil can influence allelopathy, little information is known about metabolite changes that occur in leaf, litter and soil. In this study, seed germination bioassay tests and metabolomics analysis were performed to investigate the phytotoxic effects and metabolic variations (measured as buckets) in the ethanolic extracts of leaf, leaf litter and soil of Wedelia trilobata. Increasing the ethanolic extracts concentration of all extracts significantly inhibited Lactuca sativa germination rate (GR), shoot height (SH) and root length (RL). Soil exerted the strongest inhibition but contained the lowest number of buckets relative to those of leaf and leaf litter extracts. An overlap overview on the metabolome revealed a poor bucket overlap and redundancy among the leaf, leaf litter and soil extracts. Canonical correspondence analysis concluded that the SH of L. sativa was more sensitive to leaf litter extract and the leaf extract exerted a strong influence on the GR and RL of L. sativa. Multivariate analysis suggested that the metabolome of the leaf, leaf litter and soil differ substantially. Finally, putative identification using MS/MS data demonstrated various plant metabolites with phytotoxic effects that can contribute to the allelopathy of W. trilobata.     

Water Use Efficiency by Switchgrass Compared to a Native Grass or a Native Grass Alfalfa Mixture

Perennial grass systems are being evaluated as a bioenergy feedstock in the northern Great Plains. Inter-annual and inter-seasonal precipitation variation in this region will require efficient water use to maintain sufficient yield production to support a mature bioenergy industry. Objectives were to evaluate the impact of a May–June (early season) and a July–August (late season) drought on the water use efficiency (WUE), amount of water used, and biomass production in monocultures of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.) Á. Löve), and a western wheatgrass–alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixture using an automated rainout shelter. WUE was strongly driven by biomass accumulation and ranged from 5.6 to 7.4 g biomass mm^?1 water for switchgrass to 1.06 to 2.07 g biomass mm^?1 water used with western wheatgrass. Timing of water stress affected WUE more in western wheatgrass and the western wheatgrass–alfalfa mixture than switchgrass. Water deficit for the western wheatgrass–alfalfa mixture was 23 % lower than western wheatgrass (P?=?0.0045) and 31 % lower than switchgrass (P?<?0.0001) under the May–June stress water treatment, while switchgrass had a 37 and 38 % greater water deficit than did western wheatgrass or western wheatgrass–alfalfa mixture, respectively (P?<?0.001) under the July–August water stress treatment. Water depletion was always greatest in the upper 30 cm. Switchgrass had greater WUE but resulted in greater soil water depletion at the end of the growing season compared to western wheatgrass and a western wheatgrass–alfalfa mixture which may be a concern under multi-year drought conditions.     

Adsorptive Capacity of Charcoals Eaten by Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkeys: Implications for Reducing Dietary Toxins

Colobus monkeys on the African island of Zanzibar eat charcoal from burned trees and lying near kilns, where it is produced for cooking. This behavior may be a learned response for counteracting toxicity due to phenolic and similar compounds that occur in significant concentrations in the Indian almond (Terminalia catappa) leaves and mango (Mangifera indica) leaves which constitute a major part of their diet. Accordingly, we studied the adsorption of organic materials from hot water extracts of Indian almond and mango leaves by five charcoals collected in Zanzibar. For comparison, we also evaluated three commercial powdered activated charcoals. Three African charcoals collected at kilns adsorbed more organic material than two kinds collected from burned tree stumps. The commercial activated charcoals adsorbed the organic material best, as expected, yet the African kiln charcoals adsorbed surprisingly well. Thus, the hypothesized function of charcoal eating is supported.     

Mechanisms regulating seedling emergence of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii [Rydb.] L.): Dormancy change,seed fate and seeding date

Seed germination and seedling emergence of ‘Arctic’ and ‘Lineta’ orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and ‘Walsh’ and ‘LC9078a’ western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii [Rydb.] L.) were studied both in the field and laboratory. Four seeding dates were conducted each year over 2 years and seedling emergence and seed fate in the soil were monitored. The effects of alternating temperature and light on germination were quantified and correlated with seedling emergence from soil and in the field. Orchardgrass seeds were less dormant than western wheatgrass as indicated by the disparity in germination percentage between constant and alternating temperatures. Seed germination percentage was usually higher than seedling emergence in the field for orchardgrass but lower for western wheatgrass, and temperature was not responsible for the difference. Exposing orchardgrass seeds to light during germination check helped break dormancy in orchardgrass when temperature was unfavorable (low and/or constant temperatures), while favorable temperatures (optimal, alternating temperatures) conditions overcame the inhibiting effect of light in western wheatgrass. The final seedling emergence of orchardgrass was either similar among the four seeding dates or decreased slightly from early May to early June. For western wheatgrass, however, final seedling emergence increased with seeding dates from early to late May and decreased in early June. Soil temperatures of the first 2 weeks after seeding increased from the early May to late May and then decreased. These temperatures were below or near the optimal temperatures for western wheatgrass seeds to release dormancy and germinate. Germination of the previously buried seeds indicated that orchardgrass and western wheatgrass had the potential for a high germination percentage under field conditions for all seeding dates. While soil temperatures close to the optimal temperature for dormancy breaking and germination promoted germination of orchardgrass, the same conditions could cause deterioration of seeds if they failed to germinate. For western wheatgrass, deeper dormancy reduced seed mortality.     

Leaf litter age regulates the effect of native and exotic tree species on understory herbaceous vegetation of riparian forests

Decomposing litter is regarded as the most important source of allelochemicals released into soil. In this study, a greenhouse experiment was designed to assess the net effect of differently aged leaf litter from exotic (Ailanthus altissima, Robinia pseudoacacia and Ulmus pumila) and native riverine trees (Populus alba, Populus nigra and Ulmus minor) on the germination and growth of three herb species (Trifolium repens, Dactylis glomerata and Chenopodium album). We also characterized the chemical composition of litter samples at different litter ages (0, 1, 2 and 3 months) based on phenolic compounds, fibers and ergosterol (as a measure of fungal biomass) contents. Overall, litter from both native and exotic species had a negative effect on shoot and root growth of target species, indicating that phytotoxic effects of litter predominate over positive effects. The inhibition effect of the exotic species was similar or even lower than that of the natives, which does not support the Novel Weapons Hypothesis. Among exotic trees, U. pumila showed the highest inhibition effect on the growth of the target species. T. repens was the most sensitive target species. The importance of litter age varied with both target and donor species. In general, D. glomerata was more inhibited by fresh litter, C. album by half-decomposed litter of U. pumila and R. pseudoacacia and by fresh litter of A. altissima and T. repens was more inhibited by fresh litter of A. altissima and P. alba and by highly decomposed litter of U. minor. The concentration of total phenolics and flavonoids decreased while acid detergent fiber, lignin and ergosterol increased with increasing litter age. Hydroxybenzoic and protocatechuic acids and the flavonoid quercetin were detected in all litter species and at most of the litter ages, while gallic, chlorogenic, vanillic, coumaric and rosmarinic acids were species-specific and they were only detected in fresh litter. Ergosterol concentration appeared as the strongest constrictor of inhibitory effects of litter on understory species. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of the net effect of fresh and decomposed litter from exotic and native trees on the growth of understory species.     

西双版纳热带季节雨林和哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林优势植物及地表凋落物层的热值

 测定云南西双版纳热带季节雨林和哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林优势种植物叶片及地表凋落物层的干重热值,分析并比较了两地群落类型热值的差异及其与地理条件的关系。植物叶片分为鲜叶和凋落叶,地表凋落物层分为新鲜凋落物层（L层）和腐叶层（F层）进行取样测量,所有样品在60℃烘干至恒重,样品热值采用Parr1261氧弹式热量计测量。结果表明：西双版纳的11种植物鲜叶和凋落叶干重热值的变化范围分别是14.595 3～19.863 9和14.046 7～19.884 0 kJ·g^－1, L和F层的平均干重热值分别为17.419 6 和14.780 5 kJ·g^－1;哀牢山的10种植物鲜叶和凋落叶干重热值的变化范围分别是17.805 1～21.525 3和17.893 4～21.436 7 kJ·g^－1,L和F层的平均干重热值分别为19.208 4和17.494 7 kJ·g^－1。两地植物鲜叶与凋落叶干重热值的大小顺序近似或一致,即植物鲜 叶干重热值越高,其凋落叶干重热值也越高;植物鲜叶与凋落叶干重热值的差值有正有负, 因物种而异;西双版纳凋落物L与F层之间的热值差值显著地大于哀牢山两层凋落物的热值差值,可能是由西双版纳凋落物的分解速率较快导致的;两地样品的平均干重热值的顺序为：鲜叶＞凋落叶＞L层＞F层;将两地的相应样品对比发现,干重热值呈现为哀牢山＞西双版纳,体现出高海拔＞低海拔、高纬度＞低纬度以及常绿阔叶林＞热带季节雨林的特点。     

Bioactive steroids from Oryza sativa L

Rice is one of the most interesting crops in the world from both the social and the economic point of views. The monoculture practices along with the heavy use of herbicides are characteristic of modern agriculture and are inducing the appearance of tolerant and/or herbicide resistant weed biotypes. This is the case the world's main weed of rice barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli). Alternative strategies for weed suppression consist of the use of chemicals from rice due to necessity of obtaining new herbicides with new modes of action that could prevent resistance phenomena. In order to carry out a study that guides to the isolation of the most active compounds from rice, different extracts were achieved, and their activities evaluated. So, all the plant material was divided into three parts: fresh plant, dried plant, and fresh plant from Pluviotron. The aerial part was separated from roots in all cases and extracted in water, in organic solvents as well as with the Pluviotron device. The activity of the 12 extracts obtained was evaluated using a generalist bioassay, wheat etiolated coleoptiles bioassay, and a phytotoxic bioassay on barnyardgrass as target species. The bioactive extracts were fractionated and 15 compounds were isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods. Eight of these compounds were isolated for the first time in Oryza sativa. The most phytotoxic compounds on E. crus-galli were ergosterol peroxide and 7-oxo-stigmasterol. In the case of ergosterol peroxide the activity was higher than the commercial herbicide Logran. This is the first report of potential allelopathic activity of steroids on weeds based on their phytotoxicity.     

马尾松与芒萁鲜叶及凋落物水溶性有机物的溶解特征和光谱学特征

为探讨福建省三明市马尾松人工林淋溶液中水溶性有机物(DOM)的溶解特征和光谱学特征,以马尾松(Pinus massoniana)和芒萁(Dicranopteris dichotoma)鲜叶、未分解层(L层)和半分解层(F层)凋落物为研究对象进行室内淋溶,对淋溶液中的水溶性有机碳(DOC)、水溶性有机氮(DON)与水溶性有机磷(DOP)含量和紫外光谱(SUVA)、荧光光谱指标和红外光谱(FTIR)等特征进行研究。结果表明,在24 h内,随着淋溶时间的延长,DOM含量呈现有波动的上升趋势;芒萁除鲜叶的DOC含量显著高于马尾松外(P0.01),其余DOM含量均小于马尾松。两植物F层DOM的SUVA值和腐殖化指标(HIX)都显著高于鲜叶和L层(P0.05),表明F层的芳香性化合物含量和腐殖化程度越来越高。DOM的同步荧光峰值显示淋溶液中含有类蛋白和类富里酸荧光团。两植物的红外光谱显示有5个相似的吸收谱带,强度最大的吸收来自于H键键合的-OH的伸缩振动,同一植物3种样品之间红外吸收的差异证明从鲜叶-L层-F层凋落物的共轭体系逐渐增大,结构更复杂。因此,随分解进程两植被DOM的化学结构越来越复杂;马尾松较芒萁含有更多的DON和DOP,这一方面为微生物提供了更多的养分,另一方面又增加了底物分解的难度。     

Phytotoxicity dynamics of decaying plant materials

Allelopathic effects of plant litter have been extensively studied, but less attention has been given to the dynamics of phytotoxicity during the decomposition processes. Decomposition experiments were carried out on above- and below-ground plant materials of 25 species of different functional groups (nitrogen fixer, forbs, woody and grasses-sedges) in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The phytotoxicity of aqueous extracts of decomposing material was assessed by bioassay in 30 d of laboratory and 90 d of litterbag decomposition experiments. Phytotoxicity was widespread with c. 90% of the tested species showing significant phytotoxic releases. Phytotoxicity largely varied between different plant functional groups (nitrogen fixer>forbs=woody>grasses-sedges) and was higher for leaf compared with root materials. In all species tested during decomposition, phytotoxicity rapidly decreased in aerobic conditions but sharply increased and became stable in anaerobic conditions. The results demonstrate an unexpectedly widespread occurrence of phytotoxicity with clear dynamic patterns during the decomposition processes of plant materials. The ecological consequences of this might have been underestimated.     

Species-dependent responses of soil microbial properties to fresh leaf inputs in a subtropical forest soil in South China

Aims Forest disturbance from extreme weather events due to climate change could increase the contribution of fresh green leaves to the litter layer of soil and subsequently alter the composition and activity of the soil microbial properties and soil carbon cycling. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of naturally fallen litter and fresh leaves on the soil microbial community composition and their activities.Methods Fresh leaves and normal fallen litter were collected from four tree species (Pinus elliottii, Schima superba, Acacia mangium, A. auriculaeformis) in subtropical China and mixed with soil. Soil microbial community composition was determined using PLFAs, and its activity was quantified by soil respiration. During a 12-month period, the decomposition rate of litter was measured bimonthly using a litterbag method. Soil microbial samples were collected after 6 and 12 months. Soil respiration was measured monthly.Important findings We found that fresh leaves decomposed faster than their conspecific fallen litter. Although total microbial biomass and bacterial biomass were similar among treatments, soil fungal biomass was higher in fresh leaf than fallen litter treatments, resulting in greater values of the Fungal phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs)/Bacterial PLFAs ratio. Fungal PLFA values were greater for Schima superba than the other species. The effect of litter type on soil respiration was species-dependent. Specifically, fallen litter released 35% more CO₂ than fresh leaves of the conifer P. elliottii. The opposite pattern was observed in the broadleaf species whose fresh leaf treatments emitted 17%–32% more CO₂ than fallen litter. Given future predictions that global climate change will cause more disturbances to forests, these results indicate that conifer and broadleaf forests in subtropical China may respond differently to increased fresh litter inputs, with net soil microbial respiration decreasing in conifer forests and increasing in broadleaf forests.     

The effect of different solvents and number of extraction steps on the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity of basil leaves (Ocimum basilicum L.) extracts

The objectives of this study were to determine best conditions for the extraction of phenolic compounds from fresh, frozen and lyophilized basil leaves. The acetone mixtures with the highest addition of acetic acid extracted most of the phenolic compounds when fresh and freeze-dried material have been used. The three times procedure was more effective than once shaking procedure in most of the extracts obtained from fresh basil leaves – unlike the extracts derived from frozen material. Surprisingly, there were not any significant differences in the content of phenolics between the two used procedures in the case of lyophilized basil leaves used for extraction. Additionally, the positive correlation between the phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity of the studied extracts has been noted. It is concluded that the acetone mixtures were more effective than the methanol ones for polyphenol extraction. The number of extraction steps in most of the cases was also a statistically significant factor affecting the yield of phenolic extraction as well as antioxidant potential of basil leaf extracts.     

Allelopathic potentials of exotic invasive and native trees over coexisting understory species: the soil as modulator

Ailanthus altissima and Robinia pseudoacacia are two aggressive exotic tree species invading riparian ecosystems in Central Spain. We explored their allelopathic potentials as a possible mechanism explaining their success in these ecosystems. Specifically, we aimed (1) to compare the phytotoxic effects of the exotic and native (Fraxinus angustifolia and Populus alba) trees on the fitness of several understory plants coexisting in riparian ecosystems, and (2) to assess the capacity of the riparian soil to modulate the phytotoxic effects. In laboratory bioassays, aqueous leaf litter extracts from the donor tree species at field-realistic concentrations were tested on different fitness indicators of 13 understory target species, using germination paper and soil as substrates in petri dishes. Using germination paper, we found species-specific effects between donor and target species, but the phytotoxicity of the exotic trees as a group was not greater than that of the natives. Nevertheless, the exotic R. pseudoacacia was the most effective donor species reducing the radicle growth of the target species. Over riparian soil substrate, the aqueous leaf litter extracts did not produce any phytotoxic effect on the target species, except in one case. Altogether, our results highlight the importance of using both a native control when assessing the phytotoxicity of nonnative plants and also the natural soil in the modulation of phytotoxic effects. Ignoring both factors in laboratory bioassays would have led to the overestimation of the phytotoxicity of the exotic species as a mechanism contributing to their invasion success.     

密度对缺苞箭竹凋落物生物元素动态及其潜在转移能力的影响

研究了一个生长季节内,缺苞箭竹(Fargesia denudata)-紫果云杉(Picea purpurea)原始林下不同密度缺苞箭竹凋落物及其生物元素含量的动态,比较了凋落物与新鲜叶中生物元素含量的差异,探讨了生物元素在缺苞箭竹体内的潜在内转移能力。研究结果表明:在生长季节内,缺苞箭竹凋落物量随着缺苞箭竹密度增加而增大。凋落物中C、N、P、K含量随着缺苞箭竹密度增加而减小,但Ca、Mg含量随着缺苞箭竹密度增加而增大。凋落物和新鲜叶中的C含量无显著差异,且二者均无明显的季节变化规律;凋落物的N、P、K含量表现为在5、6、7月依次升高,7月以后逐渐下降的格局,且凋落物中的含量明显低于新鲜叶;凋落叶的Ca含量明显高于新鲜叶,但无明显的季节变化规律;凋落叶的Mg含量在缺苞箭竹指数生长期最低,而新鲜叶中Mg含量在缺苞箭竹指数生长期最高。缺苞箭竹密度对生物元素的动态变化规律无显著影响。内转移率表现为K>N>P,且P的内转移率随着缺苞箭竹密度的增加而升高,但缺苞箭竹密度对K、N的内转移能力影响较小;C在缺苞箭竹植株体内的内转移现象不明显;Ca在凋落物中的积累率随缺苞箭竹密度增加而增大;Mg元素的积累率随着缺苞箭竹密度增加越来越高,而内转移率越来越低。