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Phytotoxic effect of invasive species Amorpha fruticosa L. on germination and the early growth of forage and agricultural crop plants
Author(s) -
Krstin Ljiljana,
Katanić Zorana,
Žuna Pfeiffer Tanja,
Špoljarić Maronić Dubravka,
Marinčić Dragica,
Martinović Ana,
Štolfa Čamagajevac Ivna
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
ecological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1440-1703
pISSN - 0912-3814
DOI - 10.1111/1440-1703.12184
Subject(s) - allelopathy , germination , biology , seedling , phytotoxicity , shoot , cultivar , agronomy , forage , botany , medicago sativa , horticulture
Invasive plant species can inhibit the growth of native plants by competing for resources as well as by secreting allelochemicals. Indigobush ( Amorpha fruticosa L.), a deciduous shrub adaptable to a wide range of environmental conditions, was introduced into Europe as a decorative and valuable honey plant. In this study, we assayed the phytotoxic effect of aqueous leaf extracts (1, 3 and 5%) obtained from A . fruticosa leaves on seed germination and seedling growth of four important agricultural species ( Trifolium pratense L. [cultivar “VIVA”], Medicago sativa L. [cultivar OS‐100], Helianthus annuus L. [hybrid “Matej”] and Triticum aestivum L. [cultivar OS‐Olimpija]). Five parameters were analyzed: germination percentage, mean germination time, germination index, fresh weight of seedling root and shoot. The phytotoxicity of A . fruticosa leaf extract was compared to that of juglone, a strong allelochemical that is known to inhibit growth of numerous plant species. The results demonstrate that A . fruticosa phytotoxicity is dependent on both the plant species tested and leaf extract concentration, with higher concentration extracts having stronger phytotoxicity. The highest concentration (5%) leaf extract caused similar inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth to that of juglone. The results of this study suggest that the rapid invasion of A . fruticosa in agricultural areas may have a negative impact on growth and yield of valuable forage and agricultural crops.