Native Cuscuta campestris restrains exotic Mikania micrantha and enhances soil resources beneficial to natives in the invaded communities

Abstract

Nutrients in exotic species and invaded communities play a key role in determining the dynamics of invaders and the invasibility of a receipt community. This study focused on the effects of the native holoparasite Cuscuta campestris (for short Cuscuta) on nutrients in the exotic invasive Mikania micrantha (for short Mikania) and stands invaded by Mikania. We conducted a set of field investigations on Mikania with Cuscuta parasitism for 1-4 years, and measured soil properties, community composition, and the growth and nutrient content of Mikania and Cuscuta in two types of sub-communities (i.e. with Mikania only, or with Mikania and Cuscuta). Cuscuta dramatically reduced the cover, biomass, and nutrients (i.e. N, P, and K content) of Mikania, significantly enhanced soil water, pH and nutrient content (i.e. organic matter, total N and P, available P and K), and greatly increased the cover and species richness of native plants. In addition, N and K of Cuscuta were positively correlated with N of Mikania, which was negatively associated with soil total N, available P and K. These findings suggest that Cuscuta may be an effective measure against Mikania and be beneficial to the restoration of invaded communities.

Cuscuta australis restrains three exotic invasive plants and benefits native species

“…Both theoretical and practical studies of Cuscuta species have emphasized their control and eradication (Marvier and Smith 1997). Scientific attention on Cuscuta species shifted when C. australis, C. campestris, and C. chinensis were discovered parasitizing and restraining the exotic invasive Mikania micrantha in southern China (Wang et al 2004), which evoked great interest in the potential of Cuscuta species as a control agent against exotic invasive plants (Shen et al 2006;Li and Dong 2009;Yu et al 2009).…”

Plant invasions in China: an emerging hot topic in invasion science

“…Correspondingly, the top 13 plant invaders in China (based on the number of published papers) are clonally growing perennials (Huang et al 2009). Greenhouse experiments in Alternanthera philoxeroides and Spartina alterniflora supported the idea that clonal integration and phenotypic plasticity of clonal plants have enhanced their invasion success (e.g., Geng et al 2006, Yu et al 2009, Zhao et al 2010. By using genetic techniques, Dong et al (2006) found that sexual reproduction facilitated the initial establishment of Solidago canadensis populations, while clonal growth led to a subsequent expansion of established populations.…”

“…Several papers explored approaches of using the native parasite Cuscuta campestris Yunck. to restrain the non-native M. micrantha (e.g., Shen et al 2005, Lian et al 2006b, Zhao et al 2008, Yu et al 2009). The beetle Agasicles hygrophila Selman & Vogt was revealed to be a useful and safe biocontrol agent of Alternanthera philoxeroides as it had only limited effects on the non-target species Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br.…”

“…For example, field studies found that native Cuscuta campestris could not only restrain the non-native M. micrantha but might also contribute to the recovery of native communities by enhancing the availability of soil resources for native species , Yu et al 2009). …”

“…As control actions often fail, monitoring the desired decline of non-native target species as well as effects on other species (e.g. Yu et al 2008Yu et al , 2009) would help to optimize control. Moreover, management actions can be combined with approaches of ecological restoration (Gaertner et al 2012 …”