Science

Researchers study the effects of phosphorus and irradiance on the invasive plant Chromolaena odorata

Chromolaena odorata. Credit: Vengolis/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Resource competition is an important factor influencing the success of alien plant invasions, and environmental factors influence the outcome of competition between exotic and native plants. Chromolaena odorata is listed as one of China’s major invasive species, threatening the country’s biodiversity, agriculture, and forestry.

In a study published in BMC Plant Biology, researchers at Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) showed that under different levels of phosphorus (the second most important macronutrient in limiting plant growth), invasive species of C. odorata and two native plants (Eupatorium lindleyanum and Xanthium sibiricum). and irradiance (an important resource that controls plant survival, growth, and distribution) levels provide valuable information for understanding C. odorata invasion mechanisms.

The researchers studied C. odorata, E. lindleyanum, and X. sibiricum in monocultures (one individual in each pot) and in competitive plantings (C. odorata + E. lindleyanum; C. odorata + X. sibiricum). Seedlings were planted in five different patterns. , two phosphorus and two irradiance levels: without phosphorus addition and with phosphorus addition. Normal irradiance and shaded irradiance.

They found that the invasive C. odorata had a similar effective quantum yield of photosystem II (Phi2) biosynthesis than the native E. lindleyanum and X. sibiricum in most treatments, but the net We found that the photosynthetic rate (Pn) is high. The biomass of C. odorata was significantly higher than that of natural X. sibiricum, but lower than that of natural E. lindleyanum, except under “normal + P” and “normal + no P” treatments. Ta. The effect of phosphorus addition on competition between invaders and native plants depended on irradiance level.

Furthermore, irradiance had no significant effect on biomass in monoculture or competition, but interactions with species, phosphorus, and competitor identity had a significant effect on biomass under competitive conditions. .

“Our study shows that the invasive C. odorata is not always superior to both native plants and that the outcome of competition between C. odorata and native plants depends on the identity of the native competitors and the environment. We showed that it depends on the conditions (irradiance and phosphorus level),” Zheng Yulong said. XTBG study author.

The researchers suggested adding phosphorus and planting E. lindleyanum in the understory to prevent C. odorata from entering the forest.

Further information: Yu-Long Zheng, Effects of phosphorus, irradiance, and competitor identity on the relative performance of invasive Chromolaena odorata, BMC Plant Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05684-3

Provided by Chinese Academy of Sciences

Citation: Researchers Study Effects of Phosphorus and Irradiance on Invasive Plant Chromolaena odorata (November 1, 2024), https://phys.org/news/2024-11-effect-phosphorous-irradiance-invasive-chromolaena Retrieved November 1, 2024. html

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