The Biology of Canadian Weeds: 158.Galega officinalisL.

Abstract

The biology of the weed goat’s-rue, Galega officinalis (Fabaceae), is reviewed. Introduced to Canada in the late 19th Century as an ornamental, it has become established at scattered localities and is spreading locally in southern Ontario. The plant is considered a noxious weed and is legally regulated in many jurisdictions due to the production of toxic alkaloids and its invasive characteristics. Primarily a weed of pastures, grasslands and perennial crops, it also displaces native vegetation in areas where it becomes established. Originally endemic in the Black Sea region, it was spread by humans through Europe and eastward to Pakistan as a herbal medicine. More recently it has been introduced widely as a forage and ornamental plant. As a folk remedy it has been used primarily to treat diabetes in humans and to enhance milk production in both humans and livestock. The plant has also used as a forage by limiting consumption to early growth stages and the quantity ingested. Effective control has been achieved with 2,4-D, dicamba, tryclopyr, metsulfuron methyl and other herbicides. Goat’s-rue forms a highly specific nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with the soil bacterium Neorhizobium galegae symbiovar officinalis. Successful establishment of Goat’s rue in new regions depends on the co-introduction of plant and bacterium. The lack of long-distance dispersal adaptations, soil pH requirements and symbiont dependency, reduces the ability of G. officinalis to spread into novel areas without anthropogenic activities. These constraints to establishment may facilitate management and eradication strategies.

Ensifer canadensis sp. nov. strain T173T isolated from Melilotus albus (sweet clover) in Canada possesses recombinant plasmid pT173b harbouring symbiosis and type IV secretion system genes apparently acquired from Ensifer medicae

“…Delta statistics permit assessment of accuracy in terms of treelikeness; the lower the delta value, the greater the accuracy. (Quiros and Bauchan, 1988;Rome et al, 1996;Steele et al, 2010;Ramírez-Bahena et al, 2015;Darbyshire et al, 2021) suggesting that the hybrid symbiosis plasmid, pT173b, may have had its origins in Eurasia.…”

Application of artificial neural networks to classify Avena fatua and Avena sterilis based on seed traits: insights from European Avena populations primarily from the Balkan Region

“…These species have rapid early growth and establishment, efficient expanded fibrous roots, a high leaf area index, and tall plants, which makes them important competitors in crops [1]. Additionally, they have expanded their presence beyond crop fields and have spread to prairies and urban areas [2]. Although A. fatua and A. sterilis can grow in different seasons, there are overlaps within the growing seasons, resulting in the coexistence of both species.…”