Evaluation of the Effect of a Rain Pulse on the Initial Growth ofProsopisSeedlings

Abstract

Prosopis juliflora is a useful ''multi-purpose'' tree, but it invades rapidly in arid and semi-arid environments, causing livelihood degradation of local communities. A rain pulse under drought conditions has been reported to be an important factor to promote plant invasion. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of a rain pulse on the invading process of Prosopis juliflora and to propose a feasible plan to control the expansion of this species in Sudan. First, seed germination was examined under eight irrigation conditions, corresponding to 4-32 mm of rainfall. Most seeds imbibed in all the irrigation conditions, about half or more of the imbibed seeds germinated in 12 mm or more of irrigation. Twenty mm or more of irrigation induced seed emergence. Second, initial growth of germinated seeds was examined under ten irrigation conditions (1-32 mm rainfall) over 54 hours or 138 hours of cultivation. Radicle elongated most vigorously in 24 mm irrigation, and extended over 20 cm in length. Allocation to radicle was dominant, and its elongation was promoted in higher soil moisture condition. Based on these results, we propose that seedlings of P. juliflora should be eradicated within a few weeks after a single large rainfall, which might be convenient and effective to control additional expansion of this species in Sudan.

Seed germination and early seedling survival of the invasive speciesProsopis juliflora(Fabaceae) depend on habitat and seed dispersal mode in the Caatinga dry forest

“…Seeds deposited on the soil surface rarely germinate due to dehydration as observed for Prosopis ferox Griseback and Prosopis flexuosa DC. across semiarid regions of Argentina and Sudan ( Campos et al, 2011 ; Morandini, Giamminola & Viana, 2013 ; Yoda et al, 2015 ). High Prosopis caldenia Burkart seed mortality has also been related to soil water availability reduction across semiarid rangelands of Central Argentina ( De Villalobos, Peláez & Elia, 2005 ; De Villalobos & Peláez, 2015 ; Risio et al, 2016 ).…”

Peer Review #1 of "Seed germination and early seedling survival of the invasive species Prosopis juliflora (Fabaceae) depend on habitat and seed dispersal mode in the Caatinga dry forest (v0.2)"

“…Seeds deposited on the soil surface rarely germinate due to dehydration as observed for Prosopis ferox Griseback and Prosopis flexuosa DC. across semiarid regions of Argentina and Sudan (Campos et al, 2011;Morandini et al, 2013;Yoda et al, 2015). High Prosopis caldenia Burkart seed mortality has also been related to soil water availability PeerJ reviewing PDF | (2018:11:32872:2:2:NEW 3 Jun 2020)…”

Leaf Age, Canopy Position, and Habitat Affect the Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Water-Use Efficiency in Three C3 Leguminous Prosopis Species from a Hyper-Arid Climate

“…Another invasive Prosopis species, P. glandulosa , has been significantly established in East Africa in ephemeral riverbeds, saline lands, and abundant farms with deep soils and high water availability [26]. The successful establishment of alien invasive species in the microenvironments was possibly due to their early root establishment and easy access to humid soil layers [27]. In the arid lands of Arabia, P. juliflora dominates areas with a shallower water table [28].…”