Reducing Persistent Seed Banks of Invasive Plants by Soil Solarization—The Case of Acacia saligna

Aim Reproductive traits are important mediators of establishment and spread of introduced species, both directly and through interactions with other life-history traits and extrinsic factors. We identify features of the reproductive biology of Australian acacias associated with invasiveness.Location Global.Methods We reviewed the pollination biology, seed biology and alternative modes of reproduction of Australian acacias using primary literature, online searches and unpublished data. We used comparative analyses incorporating an Acacia phylogeny to test for associations between invasiveness and eight reproductive traits in a group of introduced and invasive (23) and non-invasive (129) species. We also explore the distribution of groups of trait 'syndromes' between invasive and non-invasive species.Results Reproductive trait data were only available for 126 of 152 introduced species in our data set, representing 23/23 invasive and 103/129 non-invasive species. These data suggest that invasives reach reproductive maturity earlier (10/ 13 within 2 years vs. 7/26 for non-invasives) and are more commonly able to resprout (11/21 vs. 13/54), although only time to reproductive maturity was significant when phylogenetic relationships were controlled for. Our qualitative survey of the literature suggests that invasive species in general tend to have generalist pollination systems, prolific seed production, efficient seed dispersal and the accumulation of large and persistent seed banks that often have fire-, heat-or disturbance-triggered germination cues.Conclusions Invasive species respond quicker to disturbance than non-invasive taxa. Traits found to be significant in our study require more in-depth analysis involving data for a broader array of species given how little is known of the reproductive biology of so many taxa in this species-rich genus. Sets of reproductive traits characteristic of invasive species and a general ability to reproduce effectively in new locations are widespread in Australian acacias. Unless there is substantial evidence to the contrary, care should be taken with all introductions.

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“…(2003); 2: Burrows et al. (2009); 3: Cohen et al. (2008); 4: Fourie (2008); 5: Grice & Westoby (1987); 6: C. Harris et al.…”

Section: Literature Review: Reproductive Biology Of Australian Acaciasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive biology of Australian acacias: important mediator of invasiveness?

Gibson

Richardson

Marchante

et al. 2011

Diversity and Distributions

163

168

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“…Using transparent polyethylene sheets, the temperature of the soil at a depth of 0–20 cm usually reaches 40–60 °C, leading to the eradication of pathogens, arthropod pests, and weeds. In an experiment conducted at an experimental agricultural farm, Cohen et al . demonstrated that soil solarization significantly reduced the viability of buried Acacia seeds, including A. saligna , A. murrayana F.Muell.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Richardson and Kluge suggested that soil solarization might be suitable for controlling the seed bank of Australian Acacia species in ‘sensitive habitats’. The effective control of A. saligna seed banks by soil solarization is attributed to a direct effect on dormancy release, which exposes non‐dormant seeds to the lethal hydrothermal conditions occurring during solarization …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Soil solarization is only effective when the soil is wet, commonly pre‐irrigated agricultural soil, because under these conditions heat conduction from the soil surface to the deeper soil layers is facilitated; and the heat sensitivity of various organisms, including seeds, is higher than under dry conditions . The higher efficacy of moderate wet heat than moderate dry heat in the dormancy release of PY seeds has been demonstrated in various species, for example A. saligna , P. aculeata , and Sophora alopecuroides L . However, there are almost no data on the soil moisture content required for inducing significant dormancy release in PY seeds by moderate heat.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Rain‐based soil solarization for reducing the persistent seed banks of invasive plants in natural ecosystems – Acacia saligna as a model

Cohen

Bar

Gamliel

et al. 2019

Pest Management Science

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BACKGROUND: A large persistent seed bank of invasive plants is a significant obstacle to restoration programs. Soil solarization was demonstrated to be an effective method for reducing the seed bank of Australian acacias. However, use of this method in natural habitats might be limited due to the requirement to moisten the soil by irrigation. This study examined the possibility of replacing irrigation by trapping the soil moisture caused by the most recent rainfall, i.e. rain-based soil solarization (RBS). RESULTS: Exposure ofAcacia saligna seeds to 57 ∘ C at 20% soil moisture for 68 h resulted in almost complete loss of seed viability. Similarly, RBS treatment significantly reduced the viability of A. saligna seeds buried at a soil depth of 1-19 cm as well as seed density in the natural seed bank, and almost completely eliminated seedling emergence from natural seed banks of A. saligna and other environmental weeds.CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that RBS is an effective method for reducing the seed bank of invasive plants in natural habitats located in various climate regions characterized by different soil types. This is the first demonstration of a successful application of RBS for soil disinfestation.

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“…Hand‐pulling before establishment of the seeds has been shown to be effective in depleting the seed bank of small patches of invasives along roadsides or hiking trails (Concilio ) or in isolated nature reserve (Ruffino et al ), but requires annual treatments for at least 3 years and becomes impractical over large areas (Concilio ). Soil solarization, which consists in heating the soil by mulching it with plastic sheeting to inhibit seed viability (Cohen et al ), has certain limitations, such as length of treatment (i.e. several months), sunlight dependency, and variable effectiveness (Cohen & Rubin ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microwave soil heating reduces seedling emergence of a wide range of species including invasives

Hess

Wilde

Yavercovski

et al. 2018

Restoration Ecology

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A microwave‐based process to control invasive species (seeds and adult stages) in the field prior to plant community restoration is currently under development. We investigated the effect of four microwave treatment pairings of Power × Duration (2kW4min, 4kW2min, 2kW8min, and 4kW4min) on seedling emergence of (1) an abandoned field seed bank used as a model for various plant species and (2) seeds of three species invasive in Europe: Datura stramonium (Jimson weed), Reynoutria × bohemica (Bohemian knotweed), and Solidago gigantea (Giant goldenrod). In addition, we assessed whether nontreated seeds of these three invasive species could germinate on microwave‐treated soils. As microwave soil heating usually leads to nonhomogeneous temperatures within a sample, we also assessed whether the position of seeds in the soil during microwave treatment (center vs. edges) impacted seedling emergence. Results show that the most intensive microwave treatments (2kW8min and 4kW4min), enabling the soil to reach 85°C, are highly effective in inhibiting seedling emergence of invasive species and the seed bank. The 2kW8min treatment, combining lowest power and longest exposure, is the most effective, reducing seed bank seedling emergence by 98% compared to control. The results also reveal a species‐specific response to heat, and lower microwave effectiveness on seeds located at the soil surface, which may explain the incomplete effectiveness of intensive treatments. Our results also suggest that prior microwave soil treatment does not prevent a considerable proportion of newly arrived invasive species seeds from germinating, suggesting that this method should be followed by restoration of native plant cover.

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Reducing Persistent Seed Banks of Invasive Plants by Soil Solarization—The Case of Acacia saligna

Cited by 34 publications

References 53 publications

Reproductive biology of Australian acacias: important mediator of invasiveness?

Reproductive biology of Australian acacias: important mediator of invasiveness?

Rain‐based soil solarization for reducing the persistent seed banks of invasive plants in natural ecosystems – Acacia saligna as a model

Microwave soil heating reduces seedling emergence of a wide range of species including invasives

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