Effect of Leaf Litter from Cistus ladanifer L. on the Germination and Growth of Accompanying Shrubland Species

Abstract

Most communities with the presence of Cistus ladanifer are characterised by the low richness of accompanying species, with C. ladanifer, in most cases, exceeding 70% of the coverage of woody species. This fact could be due to the allelopathic activity attributed to compounds present in the leaves of C. ladanifer, which may have a negative effect on the germination and growth of woody species that share its habitat. One of the possible ways of incorporating allelopathic compounds to the soil is the degradation of leaf litter. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine how the presence of leaf litter from C. ladanifer affects accompanying species. Under controlled conditions, we analysed the effect of C. ladanifer leaf litter on the germination and growth of seedlings of five species that share their habitat with C. ladanifer (Retama sphaerocarpa, Cytisus multiflorus, Lavandula stoechas, Cistus salviifolius, and Cistus crispus). Additionally, the effect of leaf litter on the species itself, C. ladanifer, has been studied. The experiments were designed with different concentrations of leaf litter (UL) and leaf litter from which the compounds with allelopathic activity were extracted (WL). The results show that such effect greatly depends on the analysed species, with L. stoechas being the most negatively affected species. On the other hand, C. multiflorus and C. salviifolius were only negatively affected at the stage of seedling growth. The results reveal the involvement of leaf litter in the allelopathic activity attributed to C. ladanifer and that its presence has a negative influence on the germination and growth of accompanying woody species. This shows the need to delve into the potential relevance of allelopathy as an interaction that determines the composition, structure and dynamics of a community.

Influence of the Storage of Cistus ladanifer L. Bales from Mechanised Harvesting on the Essential Oil Yield and Qualitative Composition

“…Cistus ladanifer grows on sunny, acidic siliceous soils, at altitudes usually below 1000 m and the plant is generally between 1 and 2 m high [ 2 ]. In the Mediterranean region, it has dominant nature, with adaptation to extreme environmental factors such as the ability to survive in low hydric and high solar exposition conditions [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Moreover, it is a pyrophyte plant [ 6 , 7 ] and often forms dense scrub communities that produce phytotoxic compounds (likely allelopathic) that may have inhibitory effects on the herbaceous understorey [ 3 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Trade-Off between Facilitation and Interference of Allelopathic Compounds in Vegetation Recovery: The Case of Rosmarinus officinalis in Degraded Gypsum Habitats

“…crassifolia, L. subulatum, H. syriacum , and S. tenacissima . Moreover, as a result of such terpene transfer, the sown subplots somehow influenced by rosemary may have similar terpene compositions, including those having undergone the “Rosemary Removal” treatment, in which terpenes may remain for a period of time after rosemary plant and fallen leaves removal [ 40 ].…”

“…Scognamiglio et al [ 27 ] found that the degradation of fallen leaves by microorganisms releases allelopathic substances, such as terpene compounds, which inhibits germination and/or plant development. In addition to this, Alias-Gallego et al [ 40 ] reported that under arid conditions, allelopathic compounds are mainly released into the soil through the degradation of litter.…”

Differential activity of wheat antioxidant defense system and alterations in the accumulation of osmolytes at different developmental stages as influenced by marigold (Tagetes erecta L.) leachates

“…These compounds vary with different species, seasons, and age of plants (Tomar et al, 2015;Mir et al, 2018;Mir et al, 2021) and are released into the environment by a variety of mechanisms including decomposition of fallen parts, volatilization, root exudation, and other mechanisms/sources. The action/effect of allelochemicals on their release into the environment have been observed by different workers (Mishra and Nautiyal, 2012;Gallego et al, 2020). The action of these allelocompounds varies with the target plants, affecting various biochemical processes, which results in modification of diverse physiological functions (Gniazdowska and Bogatek, 2005).…”