Allelopathic effect of the invasive Acacia dealbata Link (Fabaceae) on two native plant species in south-central Chile

Authors

  • NARCISO AGUILERA Departamento de Silvicultura, Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile.
  • JOSÉ BECERRA Laboratorio de Química de Productos Naturales, Depart amento de Botánica Universidad de Concepción, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile.
  • LUBIA M. GUEDES Laboratorio de Química de Productos Naturales, Depart amento de Botánica Universidad de Concepción, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile.
  • CRISTOBAL VILLASEÑOR-PARADA Laboratorio de Invasiones Biológicas (LIB), Facultad de Ciencias Forestales, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
  • LUIS GONZÁLEZ Departamento Bioloxía Vexetal e Ciencia do Solo, Facultade de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad de Vigo, As Lagoas Marcosende 36310 Vigo, España.
  • VÍCTOR HERNÁNDEZ Laboratorio de Química de Productos Naturales, Depart amento de Botánica Universidad de Concepción, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile.

Keywords:

Allelochemicals, aqueous extracts, Helenium aromaticum, Quillaja saponaria, invasive plants

Abstract

Plant species that growth close to or under the canopy of Acacia dealbata Link (Fabaceae, subfamily: Mimosoideae) within
its non-native range, survive with difficulty or not at all, especially if they are native. This phenomenon has been attributed
to allelopathy; one of the strategies used by A. dealbata to trigger an invasion process. Native species Quillaja saponaria
Molina (tree) and Helenium aromaticum (Hook.) H.L. Bailey (herb), share A. dealbata’s range in South-central Chile. This
study was performed on the Mediterranean Biobío Region of Chile. We evaluated the effect of leaves, flowers, pods and
seeds of A. dealbata on the germination and early growth of these native species. Biological assays were carried out under
laboratory conditions, based on aqueous extracts and the direct effect of plant material. Leaf litter prevented the germination
of both species and seeds of the invasive species impeded the germination of Q. saponaria. Other plant parts from A.
dealbata also induced reductions of hypocotyl and radicle lengths in the native species, reaching over 50 % in some treatment
values. All plant parts caused radicle necrosis, preventing the formation of root hairs and, consequently, jeopardizing the
survival possibility of the recipient species. The results show that A. dealbata can interfere with the establishment of pioneer
herbaceous species in ecological succession and can also affect trees if they are reached by the invasion front.

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Published

2015-12-30

How to Cite

AGUILERA, N. ., BECERRA, J. ., GUEDES, L. M. ., VILLASEÑOR-PARADA, C., GONZÁLEZ, L. ., & HERNÁNDEZ, V. . (2015). Allelopathic effect of the invasive Acacia dealbata Link (Fabaceae) on two native plant species in south-central Chile. Gayana Botánica, 72(2), 231-239. Retrieved from https://revistas.udec.cl/index.php/gayana_botanica/article/view/3937

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