Structure and Population Dynamics of Asclepias Syriaca L. In the Agricultural Land

Abstract

This paper evaluates the selected population-biological characteristics and size structure of invasive neophyte Asclepias syriaca in three habitat types (abandoned vineyards, grassland and road side) in the district of Veľký Krtíš in Central Slovakia. Three permanent research plots (1 m × 1 m) were established and monitored during the growing season in 2012. The density of the population at the end of the growing season ranged from 15 to 29 stems per m2. The greatest average plant height was recorded in the roadside plot (129 cm) and the lowest in the abandoned vineyard (92 cm). Main stem thickness reached 1.5-2.0 cm at the base. The highest number of main stem leaves was recorded at the end of June and July (from 24 to 27). The number of inflorescences varied from 1.6 to 3.4 and the number of fruits ranged from 1.2 to 3.8 per generative stem. Statistically significant differences were found in the plant height, thickness of the main stem and the number of fruits at the three different locations.

Structure of Asclepias syriaca L. population against phytocenotic and habitat conditions in Widuchowa (West Pomerania)

“…The investigated population of A. syriaca covered the area of 1 650 m 2 and it reached 1 500 specimens, with mean density of 29 specimens per m 2 . Pauková et al (2013), in their study, claimed considerably lower density. Also Csantos et al (2009) recorded lower mean density in deserted vineyards (7.4 specimens per m 2 ) and arable lands (18.1 specimens per m 2 ).…”

“…In Poland, the existing populations of A. syriaca have island-like distribution which is mostly caused by the intentional introduction of the species to cultivation or accidental spread of its vegetative parts or seeds. The species also occurs in unused arable lands (Hungary), meadows (USA) or deserted vineyards (Hungary, Slovakia) (Hartzler & Buhler 2000;Csontos et al 2009;Pauková et al 2013). The investigated population of A. syriaca covered the area of 1 650 m 2 and it reached 1 500 specimens, with mean density of 29 specimens per m 2 .…”

“…Floristic composition of communities in which A. syriaca was recorded was diverse (Valachovič 1987;Pauková et al 2013;Puchałka et al 2013). In the case of the investigated site, the species was found to grow in wasteland, in former meadow communities of the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class, in which Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, and Calamagrostis epigejos achieved high degree of coverage.…”

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) response to sulcotrione

“…Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) is a robust, stemmed, unbranched, perennial, dicotyledonous weed native to North America. It was brought to Europe as an ornamental plant in the 19 th century, but now it has become naturalized in much of central and southern Europe, including Serbia (Tutin et al, 1972;Vrbničanin et al, 2008;Csontos et al, 2009;Hulina, 2010;Szatmari, 2012;Paukova et al, 2013). After escaping from cultivation it has become widespread over the last decades of the 20 th century.…”

The Impacts of Temperature, Soil Type and Soil Herbicides on Seed Germination and Early Establishment of Common Milkweed (<i>Asclepias syriaca </i L.)

“…It was introduced in Europe at the beginning of the 19 th century and is now present in many South and Central European countries (Tutin et al, 1972) and countries in Serbia's neighbourhood (e.g. Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Croatia, which have also included the species on their lists of invasive weeds) (Csontos et al, 2009;Hulina, 2010;Szatmari, 2012;Paukova et al, 2013). Distribution and frequency of common milkweed in anthropogenic habitats in Serbia (various types of crops and ruderal habitats in urban and rural areas) have been researched by Malidza et al (2006) and Vrbnicanin et al (2008) and they detected its presence in 15% of the assessed 10×10 km squares on the UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) grid.…”