Allelochemical-mediated soil microbial community in long-term monospecific Chinese fir forest plantations

Xia, Zhichao; Kong, Chui‐Hua; Chen, Longchi; Wang, Silong

doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2015.07.012

Cited by 33 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(61 reference statements)

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“…Continuous Chinese fir monocultures resulted in the deterioration of the soil microbial community (Xia et al. ). In the current study, we found a compositional shift in the soil microbial communities in mixed‐species and both monoculture forests.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The plant-driven selection of microbes involves litter decomposition and root exudation Vivanc 2009, Hartmann et al 2009). Continuous Chinese fir monocultures resulted in the deterioration of the soil microbial community (Xia et al 2015). In the current study, we found a compositional shift in the soil microbial communities in mixed-species and both monoculture forests.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A broadleaf species enhances an autotoxic conifers growth through belowground chemical interactions

Xia

Kong

Chen

et al. 2016

Ecology

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Plants may affect the performance of neighboring plants either positively or negatively through interspecific and intraspecific interactions. Productivity of mixed-species systems is ultimately the net result of positive and negative interactions among the component species. Despite increasing knowledge of positive interactions occurring in mixed-species tree systems, relatively little is known about the mechanisms underlying such interactions. Based on data from 25-year-old experimental stands in situ and a series of controlled experiments, we test the hypothesis that a broadleaf, non-N fixing species, Michelia macclurei, facilitates the performance of an autotoxic conifer Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) through belowground chemical interactions. Chinese fir roots released the allelochemical cyclic dipeptide (6-hydroxy-1,3-dimethyl-8-nonadecyl-[1,4]-diazocane- 2,5-diketone) into the soil environment, resulting in self-growth inhibition, and deterioration of soil microorganisms that improve P availability. However, when grown with M. macclurei the growth of Chinese fir was consistently enhanced. In particular, Chinese fir enhanced root growth and distribution in deep soil layers. When compared with monocultures of Chinese fir, the presence of M. macclurei reduced release and increased degradation of cyclic dipeptide in the soil, resulting in a shift from self-inhibition to chemical facilitation. This association also improved the soil microbial community by increasing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and induced the production of Chinese fir roots. We conclude that interspecific interactions are less negative than intraspecific ones between non-N fixing broadleaf and autotoxic conifer species. The impacts are generated by reducing allelochemical levels, enhancing belowground mutualisms, improving soil properties, and changing root distributions as well as the net effects of all the processes within the soil. In particular, allelochemical context alters the consequences of the belowground ecological interactions with a novel mechanism: reduction of self-inhibition through reduced release and increased degradation of an autotoxic compound in the mixed-species plantations. Such a mechanism would be useful in reforestation programs undertaken to rehabilitate forest plantations that suffer from problems associated with autotoxicity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A broadleaf species enhances an autotoxic conifers growth through belowground chemical interactions

Xia

Kong

Chen

et al. 2016

Ecology

Self Cite

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“…Currently, studies examining litter effects on seedling emergence and growth have mainly focused on natural forests, old fields, grasslands, and riparian vegetation [24,34,[41][42][43][44]. In Chinese fir plantations, few studies have examined the chemical effects on seedling emergence and growth [45,46] and to the best of our knowledge, no studies are available on the physical effects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Excessive Accumulation of Chinese Fir Litter Inhibits Its Own Seedling Emergence and Early Growth—A Greenhouse Perspective

Liu

Daryanto

Wang

et al. 2017

Forests

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Litter accumulation can strongly influence plants' natural regeneration via both physical and chemical mechanisms, but the relative influence of each mechanism on seedling establishment remains to be elucidated. Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is one of the most important commercial plantations in southern China, but its natural regeneration is poor, possibly due to its thick leaf litter accumulation. We used natural and plastic litter to study the effects of Chinese fir litter on its own seedling emergence and early growth, as well as to assess whether the effect is physical or chemical in nature. Results showed that high litter amount (800 g·m −2 ) significantly reduced seedling emergence and the survival rate for both natural and plastic litter. Low litter amount (200 g·m −2 ) exerted a slightly positive effect on root mass, leaf mass, and total mass, while high litter amount significantly inhibited root mass, leaf mass, and total mass for both natural and plastic litter. Root-mass ratio was significantly lower, and leaf-mass ratio was significantly greater under high litter cover than under control for both natural and plastic litter. Although the root/shoot ratio decreased with increasing litter amount, such effect was only significant for high litter treatment for both natural and plastic litter. Seedling robustness (aboveground biomass divided by seedling height) decreased with increasing litter amount, with high litter treatment generating the least robust seedlings. Because plastic and natural litter did not differ in their effects on seedling emergence and growth, the litter layer's short-term influence is primarily physical. These data indicated that as litter cover increased, the initial slightly positive effects on seedling emergence and early growth could shift to inhibitory effects. Furthermore, to penetrate the thick litter layer, Chinese fir seedlings allocated more resources towards stems and aboveground growth at the expense of their roots. This study provided experimental evidence of litter amount as a key ecological factor affecting seedling development and subsequent natural regeneration of Chinese fir.

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“…In the present study, the effects of allelopathy and soil microbes, the latter being explored by comparison of plant growth between sterilized and non-sterilized soil, showed opposing effects for P. americana growth (Figure 2). Rhizosphere microbes can counteract the negative influence of plant allelochemicals, and allelopathy affects microbial composition and activity as well, thereby indirectly affecting plant growth [17,29,32]. Almost all land plant species have a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi [75], and absence of suitable mycorrhizal fungi can limit species establishment in a new range and act as one of multiple environmental filters slowing species spread [76].…”

Section: The Effects Of Soil Microbes On Plant Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Soils from Different Forest Types on the Growth of the Invasive Plant Phytolacca americana

Chen

Hou

Zhuge

et al. 2019

Forests

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Due to increasing globalization and human disturbance, plant invasion has become a worldwide concern. Soil characteristics associated with the vegetation of recipient communities affect plant invasion success to a great extent. However, the relative importance of soil biotic and abiotic factors of different recipient communities in resisting plant invasion is not fully understood. We hypothesized that natural forest soils can better resist plant invasion than can plantation soils, that the allelopathic legacy of resident trees in soil plays a role in resisting invasive plants, and that late-successional soils have a strong effect. We examined the effects of soil and litter collected from four natural forests at successional stages and one Robinia pseudoacacia Linn. plantation in eastern China on the growth of Phytolacca americana L., which is a highly invasive species across China, and explored the individual effects of soil nutrients, allelochemicals, and soil microbes. We found that allelopathic activity of natural forest soils can effectively resist P. americana invasion, and that low level of nutrients, especially of phosphorus, in the soils might be potential limiting factors for the plant growth. The profound conditioning of soil resources by exotic R. pseudoacacia based on tree traits (including allelopathy) facilitated further P. americana invasion. Allelochemicals from forest litter inhibited the germination of P. americana seeds, but pH played a major role in P. americana growth when these substances entered the soil. However, we have no evidence that late-successional forest soils exhibit strong allelopathy toward P. americana. The present study will help to further our understanding of the mechanism of community resistance to invasion.

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Allelochemical-mediated soil microbial community in long-term monospecific Chinese fir forest plantations

Cited by 33 publications

References 40 publications

A broadleaf species enhances an autotoxic conifers growth through belowground chemical interactions

A broadleaf species enhances an autotoxic conifers growth through belowground chemical interactions

Excessive Accumulation of Chinese Fir Litter Inhibits Its Own Seedling Emergence and Early Growth—A Greenhouse Perspective

The Effects of Soils from Different Forest Types on the Growth of the Invasive Plant Phytolacca americana

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