Streamlining Agroecological Management of Invasive Plant Species: The Case of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav

Abstract

The increased demand for the adoption of sustainable practices to protect agroecosystems is challenged by the introduction and dominance of invasive plant species (IPS). The management of IPS requires a direct response from farmers and policy makers and is often associated with the adoption of practices that have negative ecological impacts. Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. (silverleaf nightshade) is a noxious IPS posing a serious threat to agriculture and the environment. The increased resistance to the biotic and abiotic stress factors caused by high phenotypic plasticity, dense trichomes, and spines allow the weed to adapt to many habitats, rendering several herbicides ineffective. If an early detection and eradication fails, multiple management strategies should be adopted to mitigate a further dispersal. Herbicides should be applied before or during flowering to prevent the formation of berries and the production of seeds. Precision agriculture tools, such as decision support systems, can be exploited to reduce the herbicide input. Soil tillage should be avoided to prevent clonal reproduction. Mowing is an effective tool to prevent the setting of seeds. Biological agents should be carefully released as a part of an agroecological weed management framework. Future research should focus on the development of cross-boundary protocols and actions to monitor the introduction pathways for the early detection and agroecological management of S. elaeagnifolium.

Biology of Invasive Plants 5. Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.

“…Despite the scarce literature on S. elaeagnifolium management, several integrated methods, including efficient herbicides, mowing, and an increase in crop competitiveness, have been recognized as promising strategies (Tataridas et al 2022c). The long-term management of S. elaeagnifolium requires acting beyond tactics toward systems, where efficient systemic herbicides, mowing, and narrow row spacing may deplete the resources for the weed (re) growth (Tataridas et al 2022c). This strategy might be more challenging for European farming systems, where EU Green Deal is in force and targets the reduction of chemicals by 50% by 2030 and aims to keep soils healthy by adopting minimum-disturbance practices (Tataridas et al 2022b).…”

“…Specific morphological characteristics of the plant tissues and the extended network of rhizomes are major constraints to the effective short- and long-term management of this species. Despite the scarce literature on S. elaeagnifolium management, several integrated methods, including efficient herbicides, mowing, and an increase in crop competitiveness, have been recognized as promising strategies (Tataridas et al 2022c). The long-term management of S. elaeagnifolium requires acting beyond tactics toward systems, where efficient systemic herbicides, mowing, and narrow row spacing may deplete the resources for the weed (re)growth (Tataridas et al 2022c).…”

Agroecology and invasive alien plants: A winner-take-all game

“…Local and regional key agriculture actors, such as farmers and advisors, need to change the concept of management by acting proactively and reactively according to agroecological weed management principles (Tataridas et al, 2022c). It is inevitable that the active participation of many different actors is essential for agroecology to triumph in this unequal struggle with invasive species (Tataridas et al, 2022c).…”

“…Local and regional key agriculture actors, such as farmers and advisors, need to change the concept of management by acting proactively and reactively according to agroecological weed management principles (Tataridas et al, 2022c). It is inevitable that the active participation of many different actors is essential for agroecology to triumph in this unequal struggle with invasive species (Tataridas et al, 2022c). Citizen science holds the key to the early detection of species (Encarnacão et al, 2021) and may be the catalyst for the implementation of new adapted policies to assist the agroecological transitions (Surchat et al, 2021).…”

Modeling the effect of temperature on rhizome sprouting in the invasive weed silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium)

“…The management of S. elaeagnifolium in Israel is a complex and challenging task, mainly due to the limitations of current herbicides: the registered herbicides that are selective and are recommended for S. elaeagnifolium , such as aminopyralid and imazapyr, are not suitable for agricultural crops (Wu et al 2016), and other herbicides that are efficacious, such as glyphosate and glufosinate ammonium, lack selectivity and are therefore suitable for use only in limited control scenarios, such as preplanting preparation (Gitsopoulos et al 2017). Furthermore, the use of mechanical control methods, including cultivation and mowing, for managing S. elaeagnifolium is problematic due to the extensive root network of this weed: the soil disturbance caused by mechanical control methods can result in the breakage of the weed rhizomes, thereby promoting an increase in the spread and density of propagules, both of which facilitate colonization of new areas (Stanton et al 2011; Tataridas et al 2022b; Wu et al 2016). To effectively manage this weed, it is necessary to elaborate and adopt new methods that require expanded knowledge of its biology and ecology (Chauhan 2022; Westwood et al 2018); such methods can then be integrated into management strategies based on optimal herbicide and mechanical control applications (Grundy et al 2003; Krueger-Mangold et al 2006).…”