Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T18:41:25.327Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Reducing Persistent Seed Banks of Invasive Plants by Soil Solarization—The Case of Acacia saligna

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

O. Cohen ,
J. Riov ,
J. Katan ,
A. Gamliel  and
P. Bar (Kutiel)
O. Cohen*
Affiliation:
Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
J. Riov
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
J. Katan
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
A. Gamliel
Affiliation:
Institute of Agricultural Engineering, ARO, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
P. Bar (Kutiel)
Affiliation:
Department of Geography and Environmental Development, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: odedic@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

An important factor in controlling invasive plant infestations is frequently the acceleration of the deterioration of their persistent seed bank, which is often associated with physical dormancy mechanisms. We hypothesized that breaking dormancy by heat would enhance the vulnerability of the nondormant seeds to hydrothermal stresses. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of soil solarization treatments (heating the soil by means of polyethylene mulching) on buried Australian Acacia seeds, with emphasis on Acacia saligna L. The results of three field experiments indicate that soil solarization treatments caused an almost complete eradication of buried seeds of Acacia saligna and two other Australian Acacia species, Acacia murrayana and Acacia sclerosperma. The killing mechanism of solarization was further studied in laboratory experiments. We observed two phases of the heat-induced deterioration of seed persistence: breaking the dormancy of the seeds and exposing the “weakened seeds” to lethal temperatures. From an ecological perspective of conservation, the present study shows for the first time the possible utilization of solar energy, by means of soil solarization, for reducing persistent seed banks of invasive woody plants.

Keywords

Acacia saligna L.Biological invasionheatingmanagementpersistent seed bankphysical dormancy
Type
Weed Management
Information
Weed Science , Volume 56 , Issue 6 , December 2008 , pp. 860 - 865
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

Bar (Kutiel), P., Cohen, O., and Shoshany, M. 2004. The invasion rate of the alien species Acacia saligna within the coastal sand dune habitats in Israel. Isr. J. Plant Sci. 52:115–124.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Baskin, J. M., Baskin, C. C., and Li, X. 2000. Taxonomy, anatomy, and evolution of physical dormancy in seeds. Plant Species Biol. 15:139–152.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bibbery, R. B. 1947. Physiological studies of weed seed germination. Plant Physiol. 23:467–484.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bradbeer, J. W. 1988. Seed Dormancy and Germination. London Chapman and Hall. 146 p.Google Scholar
Chilliers, C. D., Esler, K. J., and Bucher, C. 2004. Effects of alien plant managements and fire on soil seed banks and regeneration in the Cape Peninsula National Park, South Africa. S. Afr. J. Bot. 70:705–712.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cohen, O. 2007. The Seed Bank Ecology of the Invasive Plant, Acacia saligna, Focusing on the Thermal Killing Effect. . Beer-Sheva, Israel Ben Gurion University of the Negev.Google Scholar
Cohen, O. and Rubin, B. 2007. Soil solarization and weed management. Pages 177–200. in Upadhyaya, M. and Blackshaw, R. E. Non-Chemical Weed Management. Wallingford, UK CABI Publishing.Google Scholar
D'Antonio, C. and Meyerson, L. A. 2002. Exotic plant species as problems and solutions in ecological restoration: A synthesis. Restor. Ecol. 10:703–713.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DeVay, J. E. and Katan, J. 1991. Mechanisms of pathogen control in solarized soil. Pages 87–101. in Katan, J. and DeVay, J. E. Soil Solarization. Boca Raton, FL CRC Press.Google Scholar
Egley, G. H. 1983. Weed seed and seedling reductions by soil solarization with transparent polyethylene sheets. Weed Sci. 31:404–409.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Egley, G. H. 1990. High-temperature effects on germination and survival of weed seeds in soil. Weed Sci. 38:429–435.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elmore, C. L. 1991. Weed control by soil solarization. Pages 61–72. in Katan, J. and DeVay, J. E. Soil Solarization. Boca Raton, FL CRC Press.Google Scholar
Emms, J., Virtue, J. G., Preston, C., and Bellotti, W. D. 2005. Legumes in temperate Australia: a survey of naturalization and impact in natural ecosystems. Biol. Conserv. 125:323–333.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Esler, K. J. and Boucher, C. 2004. The potential impact of alien woody plant invasions and their control on alien seed banks in the Western Cape, South Africa. in Proceedings of the 10th MEDECOS conference.Google Scholar
Farrell, T. P. and Ashton, D. H. 1978. Population studies on Acacia melanoxylon R. Br. I. Variation in seed and vegetative characteristics. Aust. J. Bot. 26:365–379.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
French, K. and Major, R. E. 2001. Effect of an exotic Acacia (Fabaceae) on ant assemblages in South African fynbos. Austral Ecol. 26:303–310.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gamliel, A. and Becker, E. 1996. A method for applying plastic mulch. Israeli Patent No. 118787; United States patent No. 6,270,291 B2.Google Scholar
Gamliel, A. and Stapleton, J. J. 1993a. Effect of chicken compost or ammonium phosphate and solarization on pathogen control, rhizosphere microorganisms, and lettuce growth. Plant Dis. 77:886–891.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gamliel, A. and Stapleton, J. J. 1993b. Characterization of antifungal volatile compounds evolved from solarized soil amended with cabbage residues. Phytopathology. 83:899–905.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hadjikyriakou, G. and Hadjisterkotis, E. 2002. The adventive plants of Cyprus with new records of invasive species. Z. Jagdwiss. 48:59–71.Google Scholar
Haidar, M. A., Iskandarani, N., Sidahmed, R., and Baalbki, R. 1999. Response of field dodder (Cuscuta campestris) seeds to soil solarization and chicken manure. Crop Sci. 18:253–258.Google Scholar
Halloin, J. M. 1983. Deterioration resistance mechanisms in seeds. Phytopathology. 73:335–339.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holm, L. G., Plucknett, D. L., Pancho, J. V., and Herberger, J. P. 1977. The World's Worst Weeds: Distribution and Biology. Honolulu, HI University of Hawaii. 624.Google Scholar
Holmes, P. M. 1988. Implications of alien Acacia seed bank viability and germination for clearing. S. Afr. J. Bot. 54:281–284.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holmes, P. M. 1989a. Effect of different clearing treatments on seed-bank dynamics of invasive Australian shrub, Acacia cyclops, in the Southwestern Cape, South Africa. For. Ecol. Manag. 28:33–46.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holmes, P. M. 1989b. Decay rates in buried alien Acacia seed populations of different density. S. Afr. J. Bot. 55:299–303.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holmes, P. M. 1990. Vertical movement of soil-stored seeds at a sandplain fynbos site. S. Afr. J. Bot. 1:8–11.Google Scholar
Holmes, P. M. 2002. Depth distribution and composition of seed-banks in alien-invaded and uninvaded fynbos vegetation. Austral Ecol. 27:110–120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holmes, P. M. and Cowling, R. M. 1997a. Diversity of composition and guild relationships between soil-stored seed banks and mature vegetation in alien plant-invaded South African fynbus shrublands. Plant Ecol. 133:107–122.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holmes, P. M. and Cowling, R. M. 1997b. The effect of invasion by Acacia saligna on the guild structure and regeneration capabilities of South African fynbus shrublands. J. Appl. Ecol. 34:317–332.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holmes, P. M., Macdonald, I. A. W., and Juritz, J. J. 1987. Effects of clearing treatments on seed banks of the alien invasive shrubs Acacia saligna and Acacia Cyclops in the southern and south-western Cape, South Africa. J. Appl. Ecol. 24:1045–1051.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holmes, P. M. and Moll, E. J. 1990. Effect of depth and duration of burial on alien Acacia saligna and Acacia cyclops seeds. S. Afr. J. Ecol. 1:12–17.Google Scholar
Holmes, P. M. and Newton, R. J. 2004. Patterns of seed persistence in South African fynbos. Plant Ecol. 172:143–158.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holmes, P. M., Richardson, D. M., van Wilgen, B. W., and Gelderblom, C. 2000. Recovery of South Africa fynbos vegetation following alien woody plant clearing and fire: implications for restoration. Aust. J. Ecol. 25:631–639.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hutchison, V. H. 1975. Factors influencing thermal tolerances of individual organisms. in Thermal Ecology II, Proceeding of a Symposium, CONF-750425. 10–26.Google Scholar
International Seed Testing Association 2003. ISTA Working Sheets on Tetrazolium Testing. Volume II. Zurich ISTA.Google Scholar
Jeffery, D. J., Holmes, P. M., and Rebelo, A. G. 1988. Effects of dry heat on seed germination in selected indigenous and alien legume species in South Africa. S. Afr. J. Bot. 54:28–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Katan, J. 1981. Solar heating (solarization) of soil for control of soilborne pests. Annu. Rev. Phytopathol. 19:211–236.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Katan, J. and DeVay, J. E. 1991. Soil solarization: historical perspectives, principles, and uses. Pages 23–37. in Katan, J. and DeVay, J. E. Soil Solarization. Boca Raton, FL: CRC.Google Scholar
Kremer, R. J. 1986. Antimicrobial activity of velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti) seeds. Weed Sci. 34:617–622.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kremer, R. J. 1993. Management of weed seed banks with microorganisms. Ecol. Appl. 3:42–52.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kremer, R. J., Hughes, L. B. J., and Aldrich, R. J. 1984. Examination of microorganisms and deterioration resistance mechanisms associated with velvetleaf seed. Agron. J. 76:745–749.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Linke, K. H. 1994. Effects of soil solarization on arable weeds under Mediterranean conditions: control, lack of response or stimulation. Crop Prot. 13:114–120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Manor, R., Cohen, O., and Saltz, D. 2008. Homogenization and invasiveness of commensal species in Mediterranean afforested landscapes. Biol. Invasions. 10:507–515.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mickelson, J. A. and Grey, W. E. 2006. Effect of soil water content on wild oat (Avena fatua) seed mortality and seedling emergence. Weed Sci. 54:255–262.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Milton, S. J. and Hall, A. V. 1981. Reproductive biology of Australian acacias in the southwestern Cape Province, South Africa. Trans. R. Soc. S. Afr. 44:465–487.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morris, M. J. 1997. Impact of gall-forming rust fungus Uromycladium tepperianum on the invasive tree Acacia saligna in South Africa. Biol. Control. 10:75–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morrison, D. A., Auld, T. D., Rish, S., Porter, C., and McClay, K. 1992. Patterns of test-imposed seed dormancy in native Australian legumes. Ann. Bot. (Lond.) 70:157–163.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morrison, D. A., McClay, K., Porter, C., and Rish, S. 1998. The role of the lens in controlling heat-induced breakdown of testa-imposed dormancy in native Australian legumes. Ann. Bot. (Lond.) 82:35–40.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Musil, C. F. 1993. Effect of invasive Australian Acacias on the regeneration, growth and nutrient chemistry of South African lowland fynbos. J. Appl. Ecol. 30:361–372.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Neelu, G., Mohit, G., and Mamta, P. 1998. Tetrazolium test for the seeds of Acacia nilotica Willd. ex. Del. Indian For. 124:1039–1042.Google Scholar
Paynter, Q., Csurhes, S. M., Heard, T. A., Ireson, J., Julien, M. H., Lloyd, J., Lonsdale, W. M., Palmer, W. A., Sheppard, A. W., Klinken, R. D. V., and van Klinken, R. D. 2003. Worth the risk? Introduction of legumes can cause more harm than good: an Australian perspective. Aust. Syst. Bot. 16:81–88.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Quilivan, B. J. 1971. Seed coat impermeability in legumes. J. Aust. Inst. Agric. Sci. 37:283–295.Google Scholar
Richardson, D. M. and Kluge, R. L. 2008. Seed banks of invasive Australian Acacia species in South Africa: role in invasiveness and options for management. Perspect. Plant Ecol. Evol. Syst. 10:161–177.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rolston, M. P. 1978. Water impermeable seed dormancy. Bot. Rev. 44:365–396.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sauerborn, J., Linke, K. H., Saxena, M. C., and Koch, W. 1989. Soil solarization: a non-chemical approach for management of plant pathogens and pests. Crop Prot. 5:190–198.Google Scholar
Shaybany, B. and Rouhani, I. 1976. Effect of pre-sowing treatments and temperatures on seed germination of Acacia saligna . Hortscience. 11:381–383.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shlevin, E., Saguy, I. S., Mahrer, Y., and Katan, J. 2003. Modeling the survival of two soilborne pathogens under dry structural solarization. Phytopathology. 93:1247–1257.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thompson, K., Ceriani, R. M., Bakker, J. P., and Bekker, R. M. 2003. Are seed dormancy and persistence in soil related. Seed Sci. Res. 13:97–100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tozer, M. G. 1998. Distribution of the soil seed bank and influence of fire on seedling emergence in Acacia saligna growing on the central coast of New South Wales. Aust. J. Bot. 46:743–755.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Mourik, T. A., Stomph, T. J., and Murdoch, A. J. 2005. Why high seed densities within buried mesh bags may overestimate depletion rates of soil seed banks. J. Appl. Ecol. 42:299–305.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Williams, J. A. and West, C. J. 2000. Environmental weeds in Australia and New Zealand: issues and approaches to management. Aust. Ecol. 25:425–444.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Witkowski, E. T. F. 1994. Growth of seedlings of the invasives, Acacia saligna and Acacia cyclops, in relation to soil phosphorus. Aust. J. Ecol. 19:290–296.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yelenik, S. G., Stock, W. D., and Richardson, D. M. 2004. Ecosystem level impacts of invasive Acacia saligna in the South African fynbos. Res. Ecol. 12:44–51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar