Reproductive allocation of Carex flava reacts differently to competition and resources in a designed plant mixture of five species

In natural plant communities, reproductive allocation can be affected by complex interactions among abiotic resources, species competition and plant size. This topic was addressed using a variety of designed mixed stands of five species (Carex elata, Carex flava, Lycopus europaeus, Lysimachia vulgaris and Mentha aquatica) under four abiotic conditions to investigate how competition and abiotic resources influence the reproductive allocation of one of the five species, C. flava. The plant mixtures varied systematically in both the relative abundance of the five species and the absolute density, and were each established with two levels of water and nutrients. In total, 176 mixtures were maintained for two growing seasons in large pots in an experimental garden. Reproductive allocation of C. flava increased from 6.8% to 9.7% under high nutrient application; however, for both nutrient levels, reproductive allocation was independent of shoot mass (size-independent allocation). Under low competition, reproductive allocation of C. flava decreased as its shoot mass increased, indicating a relatively high investment in vegetative structures under higher light availability. However, under strong competition, the allocation pattern changed and a constant reproductive allocation for different plant sizes was observed. Different water levels did not influence the shoot mass, seed mass or reproductive allocation of C. flava, indicating that the species was not stressed under dryer conditions. When under competitive pressure, however, the species responded with reduced shoot and seed production under more favourable water conditions. This behaviour indicates a trade-off between the ability to tolerate stress and the competitive and reproductive response of C. flava. In conclusion, C. flava was adversely affected by competition with some of the species, and competition, mediated by plant size, indirectly affected reproductive allocation. C. flava was able to modify its allocation pattern depending on the available resources and retained its reproductive allocation even under unfavourable conditions for varying plant sizes, which is interpreted as an advantageous reaction to greater competition pressur

Simulating evolutionary responses of an introgressed insect resistance trait for ecological effect assessment of transgene flow: a model for supporting informed decisionmaking in environmental risk assessment

Predicting outcomes of transgene flow from arable crops requires a system perspective that considers ecological and evolutionary processes within a landscape context. In Europe, the arable weed Raphanus raphanistrum is a potential hybridization partner of oilseed rape, and the two species are ecologically linked through the common herbivores Meligethes spp. Observations in Switzerland show that high densities of Meligethes beetles maintained by oilseed rape crops can lead to considerable damage on R. raphanistrum. We asked how increased insect resistance in R. raphanistrum – as might be acquired through introgression from transgenic oilseed rape – would affect seed production under natural herbivore pressure. In simulation experiments, plants protected against Meligethes beetles produced about twice as many seeds as unprotected plants. All stages in the development of reproductive structures from buds to pods were negatively affected by the herbivore, with the transition from buds to flowers being the most vulnerable. We conclude that resistance to Meligethes beetles could confer a considerable selective advantage upon R. raphanistrum in regions where oilseed rape is widely grown

Gain in Nitrogen Yield from Grass-Legume Mixtures is Robust Over a Wide Range of Legume Proportions and Environmental Conditions

peer-reviewedGlobal food security is currently challenged and requires sustainable intensification of agriculture through initiatives that include more efficient use of nitrogen (N) and increased protein self-sufficiency through home-grown crops. Such challenges were addressed in a continental-scale field experiment conducted over three years, in which the amount of total nitrogen yield (Ntot) and the gain in N yield in mixtures as compared to grass monocultures (Ngainmix) was quantified from four-species grass-legume stands with greatly varying legume proportions. Stands consisted of monocultures and mixtures of two N2 fixing legumes and two non-fixing grasses. The amount of Ntot of mixtures was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) than that of grass monocultures at the majority of evaluated sites in all three years. Ntot and thus Ngainmix increased with increasing legume proportion up to one third of legumes. With higher percentages of legumes, Ntot and Ngainmix did not further increase. Thus, across sites and years, mixtures with one third proportion of legumes had 57% higher Ntot than grass monocultures and attained ∼95% of the maximum Ntot acquired by any stand. The relative N gain in mixture (Ngainmix/Ntotmix) was most severely impaired by minimum site temperature (R = 0.64, P = 0.010). Nevertheless, Ngainmix/Ntotmix was not correlated to site productivity (P = 0.500), suggesting that, within climatic restrictions, balanced grass-legume mixtures can benefit from comparable relative gains in N yield across largely differing productivity levels. We conclude that higher N output (Ntot or forage protein per unit area) can be achieved with grass-legume mixtures than with pure grass alone for a given amount of N fertilizer applied; conversely, the same N output can be achieved by mixed swards with less input of N. Therefore, the use of grass-legume mixtures can substantially contribute to resource-efficient agricultural grassland systems over a wide range of productivity levels, implying important savings in N fertilizers and greenhouse gas emissions

Rapid and High Seed Germination and Large Soil Seed Bank of Senecio aquaticus in Managed Grassland

Senecio aquaticus, regionally a Red List species in Europe, has become increasingly abundant in agricultural grassland of medium to high management intensity in Switzerland, Southern Germany, and Austria in recent years, where it is a threat for animal and human health due to its toxicity. In this study, we investigated the seed ecology of S. aquaticus to help protection of the species in relic populations while improving its control when abundant in managed grassland. Germination percentages of fresh ripe seeds of S. aquaticus were on average 68% in 2008, but only 45% in 2010, indicating yearly variation. Germination was generally fast: ten days after the onset of the tests, often more than 45% of all seeds had germinated. When covered with a soil layer of 5 mm, germination was only 16% compared to 63% in full light. Seeds buried in the soil for one and two years showed a germination of 78%, significantly higher than that of fresh ripe seeds, thus suggesting a stimulating effect of cold-wet stratification on germination and long seed survival in the soil. In grasslands with established populations of S. aquaticus, the number of germinable seeds of the species ranged from 361 to 1875 m−2 in topsoil (0–10 cm) with an average of 1139 m−2. The large seed bank and the rapid and high germination of S. aquaticus suggest that allowing seed formation is important for its preservation in relic populations. With respect to agricultural grassland, strategies to control the species should initially target hindering seed production and dispersal

On-Farm Risikoanalysen zur Entwicklung von Kontrollmaßnahmen bei Kreuzkraut-Arten

Poisonous Senecio species occur in grasslands of various countries. Their further spread into farmland must be prevented, but efficient methods for their control are often lacking, especially under organic farming. We propose on-farm surveys designed as case-control studies to assess the risk for the occurrence of such species and present results of a study on S. aquaticus. Following a case-control design, 72 plots were evaluated for their botanical composition, half the plots contained S. aquaticus. For all the plots, the soil nutrients and the details of management practice, such as type and intensity of management and fertiliser application, were recorded from the farmer. There was a high risk for occurrence of S. aquaticus with low nitrogen fertilisation, with a decrease of management intensity in the preceding 15 years, high inclination, and gaps in the sward. For the long-term control of S. aquaticus, we suggest promoting dense swards and preventing sward damage as much as possible. This paper demonstrates the great power of case-control studies in on-farm research. The design allows thorough statistical testing using generalised linear models and provides reliable results in relatively short time. Various questions can be linked to the management practice on farms and over a wide range of environmental conditions. Such data can hardly be obtained from small plot experiments

Competition alters plant species response to nickel and zinc

Phytoextraction can be a cost-efficient method for the remediation of contaminated soils. Using species mixtures instead of monocultures might improve this procedure. In a species mixture, an effect of heavy metals on the species' performance can be modified by the presence of a co-occuring species. We hypothesised that (a) a co-occuring species can change the effect of heavy metals on a target species, and (b) heavy metal application may modifiy the competitive behaviour between the plants. We investigated these mechanisms in a greenhouse experiment using three species to serve as a model system (Carex flava, Centaurea angustifolia and Salix caprea). The species were established in pots of monocultures and mixtures, which were exposed to increasing concentrations of Ni and Zn, ranging from 0 to 2,500mg/kg. Increased heavy metal application reduced the species' relative growth rate (RGR); the RGR reduction being generally correlated with Ni and Zn concentrations in plant tissue. S. caprea was an exception in that it showed considerable Zn uptake but only moderate growth reduction. In two out of six cases, competitors significantly modified the influence of heavy metals on a target species. The interaction can be explained by an increased uptake of Zn by one species (in this case S. caprea) that reduced the negative heavy metal effect on a target species (C. flava). In two further cases, increasing heavy metal application also altered competitive effects between the species. The mechanisms demonstrated in this experiment could be of relevance for the phytoextraction of heavy metals. The total uptake of metals might be maximised in specific mixtures, making phytoextraction more efficien

Beeinflusst die Bewirtschaftung das Vorkommen von Jakobskreuzkraut (Senecio jacobaea)?

Senecio jacobaea is a poisonous weed in grasslands of various countries (e.g. Great Britain, New Zealand, Central European states), and the further spread of the species into farmland must be prevented. Due to strong restrictions of curative measures, the prevention of S. jacobaea’s spread is of primary importance for organic farming. To assess the influence of management practice and site conditions on the occurrence of S. jacobaea, we conducted an on-farm survey in the northern and central part of Switzerland. Botanical assessments were carried out on grassland plots with S. jacobaea occurrence and on neighbour plots without S. jacobaea. For these plots, we analysed the soil nutrients and the details of management practice such as type and intensity of management and fertiliser application (mainly slurry). The most impor-tant factors influencing the occurrence of S. jacobaea were related to management: There was a considerably high risk for the occurrence of the species on parcels with low nitrogen fertilisation, continuous-extensive grazing (set stocking), and a high openness of the sward. S. jacobaea was not present in intensively managed meadows cut more than twice per year. We conclude that a long-term control of S. jacobaea can best be achieved by avoiding sward damage, by replacing continuous by rotational grazing, and by adjusting stocking rates

Convergence patterns and multiple species interactions in a designed plant mixture of five species

It is known that convergence and divergence can occur in complex plant communities, but the relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors driving these processes is less clear. We addressed this issue in an experiment using a range of mixed stands of five species that are common in Swiss fens (Carex elata, C. flava, Lycopus europaeus, Lysimachia vulgaris and Mentha aquatica) and two levels of water and nutrients. One hundred and seventy-six experimental mixtures were maintained in large pots (75l) for two consecutive growing seasons in an experimental garden. The stands varied systematically in the initial relative abundance of each of the five species and in overall initial stand abundance. The changes in biomass over 2years were modelled as linear functions of treatments and the initial biomass of each species. The dynamics of the system were mainly driven by differences in the identity of species and by a negative feedback mechanism but also by different abiotic conditions. In all mixtures, C. elata became more dominant over time, which caused an overall convergence of community composition. In addition, the rate of change of each species' biomass was negatively related to its own initial abundance. Thus, a negative feedback further contributed to the convergence of communities. Species responded differently to water level and nutrient supply, causing community dynamics to differ among treatments. However, the different abiotic conditions only slightly modified the overall convergence pattern. Competitive interactions between more than two species were weaker than the negative feedback but still significantly influenced the species' final relative abundance. The negative feedback suggests that there is niche partitioning between the species, which permits their coexistenc

Thermoelectric oxide modules tested in a solar cavity-receiver

Four-leg thermoelectric oxide modules (TOMs) consisting of two p-type (La1.98Sr0.02CuO4) and two n-type (CaMn0.98Nb0.02O3) thermoelectric (TE) legs were produced with a manufacturing quality factor between 30 and 60%. The pressed sintered TE legs revealed 90% of the theoretical density to ensure a sufficient mechanical stability of the TE modules. The legs were connected electrically in series and sandwiched thermally in parallel between two Al2O3 plates serving as absorber and cooler, respectively. A solar cavity-receiver packed with an array of TOMs was subjected to concentrated thermal radiation with peak solar radiative flux intensities exceeding 600 kW/m2. Temperature distributions in the cavity, open-circuit voltage (VOC), and maximum output power (Pmax) were measured for different external loads and solar radiative fluxes (qin). Finally, the solar-to-electricity conversion efficiency (η) was calculate