High interspecific competitiveness of the invasive plant Xanthium italicum Moretti severely reduces the yield and quality of Carthamus tinctorius L.

Abstract

Safflower is an annual herb of Compositae, which has great economic value. To explore the impact of invasive weed Xanthium italicum Moretti on the economic crop safflower, field experiments were conducted, the growth-related characters and the relative intensity of competition between the two species was explored. The results showed that under monoculture conditions, the stem height, crown width, stem diameter and the biomass of X. italicum root, stem and leaves were 1.14, 1.96, 1.82, 4.42, 4.21 and 3.99 times as high as those of safflower, respectively. When the two species coexisted, the growth related characters of X. italicum were further significantly improved, while the growth related characters of safflower were significantly decreased. When coexisted with X. italicum, the corolla biomass, hydroxysafflor yellow A content of corolla, seed yields, 100-seed weight, and seed oil content of safflower in the interplanted treatment 90.04%, 33.11%, 63.89%, 40.58%, and 25.61% lower than those in the monocultured treatment, respectively. Relative yield (RY) and Competitive balance index (CB) of X. italicum and safflower showed that the interspecific competitiveness of X. italicum was significantly higher than that of safflower. Under the competitive inhibition of X. italicum, not only the vegetative growth, but also the reproductive growth, yield, and quality of the economic organs of safflower were significantly negatively impacted. Together, our findings provide important scientific basis for evaluating the invasion risks and consequences of safflower’s cropland ecosystem by X. italicum.

Flexible Resource Allocation-Efficient Water Use Strategies Facilitate Invasion of Invasive Vine Sicyos angulatus L.

“…In every 1 m 2 of farmland, when the number of alien invasive Xanthium strumarium L. reaches 1–2 plants, the yield of sunflower decreases by 30–40% and the yield of maize decreases by 80% [ 7 ]. When X. strumarium coexists with Carthamus tinctorius L., the biomass and seed yield of the latter decrease by more than 90% and 40%, respectively [ 8 ]. These exotic herbaceous plants in the aforementioned studies often have developed roots, large crowns, and rapid growth abilities and can compete with farmland crops for limited resources in a short period, realizing significant advantages [ 8 ].…”

“…When X. strumarium coexists with Carthamus tinctorius L., the biomass and seed yield of the latter decrease by more than 90% and 40%, respectively [ 8 ]. These exotic herbaceous plants in the aforementioned studies often have developed roots, large crowns, and rapid growth abilities and can compete with farmland crops for limited resources in a short period, realizing significant advantages [ 8 ]. Notably, most of the literature on the growth and development characteristics and potential hazards of invasive plants has focused on herbaceous plants that are not invasive vines.…”