Growth behaviour of the invasive species Ipomoea carnea in the Nile Delta, Egypt

Abstract

Ipomoea carnea Jacq., a native shrub of South America, grows in dense populations along river beds, river banks, canals and other waterlogged (wetland) areas. It has become naturalised along canals, drains, road sides and field edges in the Nile Delta, Egypt. The rapid growth rate, spread and adaptability from xeric to aquatic habitats indicates that this plant may potentially become a disastrous invasive species in Egyptian water bodies. Fifty established stands covering seven habitats (railway sides, waste lands, road sides, drain and canal banks, road dividers and field edges) in the Nile Delta were used in this experiment. In each stand, 20 ramets were permanently marked to estimate the monthly variations in such growth variables as phenology, height and diameter of the ramet canopy, number of flowers, leaves and fruits. The results showed a significant variation in growth variables relative to habitat types. Generally, I. carnea populations along the railway sides and field edges had the lowest values for most variables; while those of the road dividers, road sides and canal banks produced the highest values. The growth of I. carnea follows a seasonal pattern where the highest values for most growth variables were obtained during September and October and the lowest were recorded during June and July. The greatest flower and fruit production was observed between September and December. Similarly, it was shown that the flowering time varied in relation to habitat types; it began earlier on road sides and canal banks, but later on railway sides, road dividers and waste lands. Leaf areas of I. carnea populations in the wet habitats (e.g. drain and canal banks) were higher than those in other habitats. These results are discussed in relation to other related studies.

Heterogeneity in patterns of survival of the invasive species Ipomoea carnea in urban habitats along the Egyptian Nile Delta

“…Also it can help to assess monitoring of invasive species in native Egyptian ecosystems. We gain a better insight on the rapid growth and adaptability of I. carnea from dry to aquatic habitats which may indicate that this plant is capable of rooting within a few days (Cook 1987, Chaudhuri et al 1994, Shaltout et al 2010. Due to the invasion of I. carnea, diversity of native Egyptian wetland flora and fauna is being reduced (Eid 2002).…”

“…Nine permanent stands in Damietta Governorate were established in each of three different urban habitats where the invasive I. carnea occurred: wastelands, roadsides (both with dry-sandy soil) and canal banks (with clay-organic soil) (Shaltout et al 2010). In each stand, a map was drawn indicating the spatial distribution of above ground vegetative units (ramets) of I. carnea.…”

“…(Family: Convolvulaceae), in three unique urbanized habitats that it invades in the Nile Delta region in Egypt. Ipomoea carnea is an annual vine that is native to Central and South America, but occurs worldwide in many habitats, including the Nile Delta where it is invasive (Eid 2002, Shaltout et al 2010). This species reproduces vegetatively and the reproductive vegetative unit is called ramet (an individual stalk from one individual plant) which originates from a semi-underground organ, the caudex.…”

Assessment of Negative Environmental Impacts of Drainage and Irrigation Canals on Ipomoea carnea Jacq. in Egypt

“…It was introduced to Egypt for ornamental purpose (Afifi et al, 1988). The rapid growth rate, spread and adaptability from xeric to aquatic habitats indicates that this plant may potentially become a disastrous invasive species in Egyptian water bodies (Shaltout et al, 2010).…”

A Review on Ipomoea Carnea: An Exploration

“…It has the no of flowers and fruits during September till December. So, it also indicates the flower time also depends on the season and habitat types 12 . …”