27 research outputs found
Ecological phytochemistry of Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) plants
The Cerrado (the Brazilian savanna) is one of the vegetation formations of great biodiversity in Brazil and it has experienced strong deforestation and fragmentation. The Cerrado must contain at least 12,000 higher plant species.We discuss the ecological relevance of phytochemical studies carried out on plants from the Cerrado, including examples of phytotoxicity, antifungal, insecticidal and antibacterial activities. The results have been classified according to activity and plant family. The most active compounds have been highlighted and other activities are discussed. A large number of complex biochemical interactions occur in this system. However, only a
small fraction of the species has been studied from the phytochemical viewpoint to identify the metabolites
responsible for these interactions
Phytotoxic effects of volatile organic compounds in soil water taken from a Eucalyptus urophylla plantation
Complex Effects of Fertilization on Plant and Herbivore Performance in the Presence of a Plant Competitor and Activated Carbon
Allelopathic potentials of exotic invasive and native trees over coexisting understory species: the soil as modulator
Do litter-mediated plant-soil feedbacks influence Mediterranean oak regeneration? A two-year pot experiment
Response to soil biota by native, introduced non-pest, and pest grass species:is responsiveness a mechanism for invasion?
Effects of lichen, Sphagnum spp. and feather moss leachates on jack pine and black spruce seedling growth
Chinese Tallow Trees (Triadica sebifera) from the Invasive Range Outperform Those from the Native Range with an Active Soil Community or Phosphorus Fertilization
Two mechanisms that have been proposed to explain success of invasive plants are unusual biotic interactions, such as
enemy release or enhanced mutualisms, and increased resource availability. However, while these mechanisms are usually
considered separately, both may be involved in successful invasions. Biotic interactions may be positive or negative and
may interact with nutritional resources in determining invasion success. In addition, the effects of different nutrients on
invasions may vary. Finally, genetic variation in traits between populations located in introduced versus native ranges may
be important for biotic interactions and/or resource use. Here, we investigated the roles of soil biota, resource availability,
and plant genetic variation using seedlings of Triadica sebifera in an experiment in the native range (China). We manipulated
nitrogen (control or 4 g/m2), phosphorus (control or 0.5 g/m2), soil biota (untreated or sterilized field soil), and plant origin
(4 populations from the invasive range, 4 populations from the native range) in a full factorial experiment. Phosphorus
addition increased root, stem, and leaf masses. Leaf mass and height growth depended on population origin and soil
sterilization. Invasive populations had higher leaf mass and growth rates than native populations did in fresh soil but they
had lower, comparable leaf mass and growth rates in sterilized soil. Invasive populations had higher growth rates with
phosphorus addition but native ones did not. Soil sterilization decreased specific leaf area in both native and exotic
populations. Negative effects of soil sterilization suggest that soil pathogens may not be as important as soil mutualists for
T. sebifera performance. Moreover, interactive effects of sterilization and origin suggest that invasive T. sebifera may have
evolved more beneficial relationships with the soil biota. Overall, seedlings from the invasive range outperformed those
from the native range, however, an absence of soil biota or low phosphorus removed this advantage