Suppression of reproductive characteristics of the invasive plant Mikania micrantha by sweet potato competition

BMC Ecology

Research Article

Guimei Jin¹  Gaofeng Xu¹  Shufang Liu¹  Fudou Zhang¹  Aidong Chen¹  Yanxian Yang¹  Shicai Shen¹  David Roy Clements²  Hisashi Kato-Noguchi³ 

[1] Agricultural Environment and Resource Research Institute, Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, 650205, Kunming, Yunnan, China;Biology Department, Trinity Western University, 7600 Glover Road, V2Y1Y1, Langley, BC, Canada;Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, 761-0795, Miki, Kagawa, Japan;

关键词: Biological control;    Mikania micrantha;    Sweet potato;    Competition;    Flowering and fruiting phenology;    Reproductive suppression;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12898-016-0085-9

 received in 2015-12-20, accepted in 2016-06-07,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundAs a means of biologically controlling Mikania micrantha H.B.K. in Yunnan, China, the influence of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] on its reproductive characteristics was studied. The trial utilized a de Wit replacement series incorporating six ratios of sweet potato and M. micrantha plants in 25 m2 plots over 2 years.ResultsBudding of M. micrantha occurred at the end of September; flowering and fruiting occurred from October to February. Flowering phenology of M. micrantha was delayed (P < 0.05), duration of flowering and fruiting was reduced (P < 0.05) and duration of bud formation was increased (P < 0.05) with increasing proportions of sweet potato. Reproductive allocation, reproductive investment and reproductive index of M. micrantha were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) with increasing sweet potato densities. Apidae bees, and Calliphoridae or Syrphidae flies were the most abundant visitors to M. micrantha flowers. Overall flower visits decreased (P < 0.05) as sweet potato increased. Thus the mechanism by which sweet potato suppressed sexual reproduction in M. micrantha was essentially two-fold: causing a delay in flowering phenology and reducing pollinator visits. The number, biomass, length, set rate, germination rate, and 1000-grain dry weight of M. micrantha seeds were suppressed (P < 0.05) by sweet potato competition. With proportional increases in sweet potato, sexual and asexual seedling populations of M. micrantha were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). The mortality of both seedling types increased (P < 0.05) with proportional increases in sweet potato.ConclusionsThese results suggest that sweet potato significantly suppresses the reproductive ability of the invasive species M. micrantha, and is a promising alternative to traditional biological control and other methods of control. Planting sweet potato in conjunction with other control methods could provide a comprehensive strategy for managing M. micrantha. The scenario of controlling M. micrantha by utilizing a crop with a similar growth form may provide a useful model for similar management strategies in other systems.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2016