What Do Cross-Range Germination, Growth, and Interaction Studies Reveal about the Behaviour of an Expansive Plant Species?

Krishan Kaushik (), Robert W. Pal (), Katalin Somfalvi-Tóth, Riyazuddin Riyazuddin, Kinga Rudolf and Tamás Morschhauser
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Krishan Kaushik: Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Ifjúság Str. 6, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
Robert W. Pal: Department of Biological Sciences, Montana Technological University, Butte, MT 59701, USA
Katalin Somfalvi-Tóth: Department of Water Management and Climate Adaption, University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 40. S. Guba Str., 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
Riyazuddin Riyazuddin: Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Temesvári krt. 62, 6726 Szeged, Hungary
Kinga Rudolf: Institute of Plant Production Science, Campus of Szent István, University of MATE, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
Tamás Morschhauser: Doctoral School of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Ifjúság Str. 6, 7624 Pécs, Hungary

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 11, 1-20

Abstract: Understanding the invasion potential of any plant species is crucial for early detection in habitat conservation, particularly when observing their expansion within their native region. As a test species, we utilised Allium ursinum L., a dominant clonal species in early spring forest floors. We compared the species’ germination capacity in native (Hungarian) and non-native (North American) soils, its seedling growth, and competing performances with two co-occurring dominant species, Melica uniflora Retz. and Carex pilosa Scop., in ten soil types and three soil compositions, respectively. Additionally, the competitive interactions of A. ursinum with Convallaria majalis L., a species already introduced in North America, were assessed under three moisture conditions. The results revealed that A. ursinum exhibited enhanced germination in non-native soils, while its shoot growth was most vigorous in control soil. When grown in soils with different co-dominant species, A. ursinum seedlings exhibited varying growth rates, significantly influenced by solar radiation intensity. A. ursinum shoots displayed superior growth in soil collected from C. pilosa stands compared to soil originating from its own stands. Notably, A. ursinum effectively competed against C. majalis in moderate soil moisture conditions. Furthermore, increasing sand content improved the competitive ability of A. ursinum against C. pilosa and M. uniflora . Based on our findings, A. ursinum possesses an invasion potential for particular North American habitats. However, the extent of its potential is dependent upon soil and climatic conditions. Under medium moisture regime, A. ursinum might outcompete the already established C. majalis from its habitats. Additionally, it can potentially displace native species with comparable ecological characteristics, such as C. pilosa and M. uniflora , especially in loose soils. Similar cross-range seed germination, growth, and paired competition experiments with potential competitor species are highly recommended as these can not only elucidate its native range expansion but also various growth scenarios for its agricultural cultivation.

Keywords: biotic interactions; germination and growth profiles; Relative Interaction Index; invasion; competition; solar radiations; co-existing species (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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