Changes in gametophyte physiology of Pteris multifida induced by the leaf leachate treatment of the invasive Bidens pilosa

Abstract

In recent years, the response of fern gametophytes to environment has raised much attention. However, studies on the influence of plant invasion to fern gametophytes are scarce. Allelopathy plays an important role in biological invasion. Hence, it is necessary to study the allelopathic effects of invasive plants on fern gametophytes and elucidate the mechanisms by which invasive plants cause phytotoxicity. As one of the main invasive plants in China, Bidens pilosa exhibits allelopathic effects on spermatophyte growth. Field investigation shows that many ferns are threatened by the invasion of B. pilosa. The distribution of Pteris multifida overlaps with that of B. pilosa in China. To examine the potential involvement of allelopathic mechanisms of B. pilosa leaves, changes in the physiology in P. multifida gametophytes are analyzed. We found that cell membrane and antioxidant enzyme activities as well as photosynthesis pigment contents of the gametophytes were affected by B. pilosa leachates. Gametophytes of P. multifida exposed to B. pilosa had increased damages to cell membranes, expressed in thiobarbituric acid reacting substance (TBARS) concentrations, malondialdehyde (MDA), electrolyte leakage (membrane permeability), and degree of injury. Enzyme activities, assessed by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) enhanced with the increase in leachate concentration after 2-day exposure. Meanwhile, lower chlorophyll a (Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), carotenoid (Car), and the total chlorophyll were measured as leachate concentrations increased. At day 10, leaf leachates of B. pilosa exhibited the greatest inhibition. These results suggest that the observed inhibitory or stimulatory effects on the physiology studied can have an adverse effect on P. multifida and that allelopathic interference seems to have involved in this process.

Allelopathic Effects of Bidens pilosa L. var. radiata Sch. Bip. on the Tuber Sprouting and Seedling Growth of Cyperus rotundus L.

“…Field competition studies conducted by Ng et al [56] showed that BPr was dominant in groups consisting of Poaceae and C3 plants in competition with monoculture and polyculture groups of sixteen species. Likewise, BP and BPr have been found to possess phytotoxic effects on its sympatric plant species, such as Bidens bipinnata L. and Pteris multifida Poir., in the ecosystems [21,22]. In southeast Asia, BP and BPr have been investigated for their capability in paddy weed management.…”

“…Bip. ( BPr ) was studied for its significant allelopathic inhibition effects on many plant species [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. Xuan et al [ 23 ] indicated that 301 compounds (including polyacetylenes, flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenes, fatty acids, etc.)…”

Allelopathic Effects of Cinnamomum migao on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of its Associated Species Liquidambar formosana

“…This could be a positive response of L. formosana to slight oxidative stress. However, when the stress level reached a certain threshold, excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species resulted in the inhibition of SOD activity [46,47]. However, the SOD activity increased only when the concentration of aqueous pericarp and rhizosphere soil extracts was 10 and 0.5 mg mL −1 , respectively, the other treatments inhibited the SOD activity, but the MDA content was elevated, indicating that the plasma membrane of L. formosana seedlings was damaged to varying degrees; however, L. formosana did not exhibit damage, indicating that these seedlings independently regulated stress levels through other antioxidant enzymes.…”

Potencial alelopático de Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart) Coville na germinação e crescimento inicial de picão-preto

“…Bidens pilosa é uma invasora bastante agressiva, cuja reprodução ocorre via sementes, possui crescimento rápido e pode ser encontrada durante todo o ano, mas as maiores infestações ocorrem durante a primavera e verão. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado que os efeitos prejudiciais de B. pilosa ocorrem com a liberação de aleloquímicos das folhas, parte aérea, exsudação pelas raízes e emissão de compostos voláteis para a rizosfera, os quais impedem a germinação e o estabelecimento de plântulas de outras espécies (Zhang et al 2016).…”

“…Bidens pilosa é uma invasora bastante agressiva, cuja reprodução ocorre via sementes, possui crescimento rápido e pode ser encontrada durante todo o ano, mas as maiores infestações ocorrem durante a primavera e verão. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado que os efeitos prejudiciais de B. pilosa ocorrem com a liberação de aleloquímicos das folhas, parte aérea, exsudação pelas raízes e emissão de compostos voláteis para a rizosfera, os quais impedem a germinação e o estabelecimento de plântulas de outras espécies (Zhang et al 2016).Muitas plantas medicinais apresentam efeito alelopático, e este pode ser direto ou indireto, danoso ou benéfi co, que uma planta exerce sobre outra pela produção de compostos químicos liberados no ambiente. A atividade dos aleloquímicos tem sido usada como alternativa ao uso de herbicidas, inseticidas e nematicidas, cujo uso intensivo e indiscriminado pode representar implicações…”