Seed Bank of Amorpha fruticosa L. on Some Ruderal Sites in Serbia

Abstract

Amorpha fruticosa L. (Fabaceae), known as indigo bush, false indigo bush, false indigo and desert false indigo, is deciduous shrub (1-6 m tall). The woody weed species A. fruticosa has a high environmental adaptability and is present in different environmental conditions. In Vojvodina region (Northern Serbia), it is mostly present near irrigation channels and river banks, especially in alluvial or marshy areas. Since A. fruticosa is continually spreading near river banks, the aim of research was to determine seed bank composition near the Danube River. In 2014, soil sampling was performed at localities with high population of A. fruticosa (3-4 plants at age over two years and 10-14 plants at age 1-2 years). Soil samples were taken from two localities (Futog and Šangaj) with alluvial sandy soil and chernozem near the Danube River. Each sample was sieved through a system of copper sieves of various diameters. After the separation of seeds from samples, they were identified. Significant presence of A. fruticosa seeds (1,914 seeds/m²) was established in a layer of 0-10 cm. In the same soil layer, the significant presence of seeds of Stellaria media (L.) Vill. and Urtica dioica L. were also established. Seeds of A. fruticosa were not found in soil layers 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm. The invasive weed species A. fruticosa produces a large number of seeds in two cycles. The majority of the seeds stay in the upper soil layer, being dispersed by water (hydrochory).

Improvement of growth performance of Amorpha fruticosa under contrasting regime of water and fertilizer in coal-contaminated spoils using response surface methodology

“…To continue life cycles in the desert areas, plants develop several survival mechanisms associated with morphological, physiological and biochemical adaptations [11,12]. Amorpha fruticosa is a deciduous shrub (1-6 m tall) and able to grow in diverse environmental conditions [13]. It is a commonly used shrub for revegetation in Loess Plateau of China because of its drought resistance and adaptation capabilities under infertile conditions.…”

Removal methods for invasive species Amorpha fruticosa – example of Odransko polje

“…In order to create the desired habitat conditions at the borrow pits locations, and to prevent the spread of A. fruticosa to locations of embankment construction / reconstruction, special attention should be paid to the following: a) A. fruticosa and surface soil layer removal and disposal - Blagojević et al (2015) state that the quantity of A. fruticosa seeds in the soil decreases with the depth and that at a depth of more than 30 cm the quantity of seeds is negligible (Blagojević et al 2015). Since A. fruticosa is very successfully vegetative propagated, in order to prevent its spread and regrowth, residues of plant material (trunks, branches, roots) should be adequately disposed in a safe place after removal (Nikolić et al 2014).…”

Phytocenotic characteristics of plant communities with Amorpha fruticosa (Fabaceae) in the Middle Dnipro area (Ukraine)

“…Важливим для виживання популяцій A. fruticosa є висока холодостійкість рослин, здатність відновлювати надземну частину при регулярному її знищенні вподовж багатьох років, а у випадку заносу насіння -швидко формувати нові осередки. Також значущим є формування життєздатного банку насіння в ґрунті та алелопатичний вплив на інші види рослин (Kelbel, 2012;Blagojević et al, 2014;Csiszer et al, 2014;Egoshyn, 2014). Висока швидкість росту забезпечує швидке поширення і формування заростей вздовж доріг, споруд, на сінокосах та пасовищах, в паркових насадженнях (Sarateanu et al, 2008;Evtushenko, Ivan'ko, 2009).…”