Synergistic interactions between an exotic honeybee and an exotic weed: pollination of Lantana camara in Australia

Lantana camara, a woody shrub originating in south and central America, is among the most widespread and troublesome exotic weeds of the old‐world tropics. It invades pasture, crops and native ecosystems, causing substantial economic losses and environmental degradation. In Australia alone, L. camara is currently estimated to cover c. 40 000 km² . In glasshouse studies we demonstrate that L. camara requires cross‐pollination to set fruit, and that honeybee visits result in effective pollination. Field studies carried out in Queensland, Australia, suggest that fruit set is limited by pollinator abundance, and that the main pollinator of L. camara throughout a substantial portion of its Australian range appears to be the honeybee, Apis mellifera. Seed set was strongly correlated with honeybee abundance, and at many sites, particularly in southern Queensland, honeybees were the only recorded flower visitors. Of 63 sites that were visited, seed set was highest at five sites where only honeybees were present. Hives are frequently stationed within and adjacent to areas such as National Parks that are threatened by this noxious weed. Management of honeybee populations may provide a powerful tool for cost‐effective control of L. camara that has previously been overlooked. We suggest that there are probably many other weeds, both in Australia and elsewhere, that benefit from honeybee pollination.     

Effects of the invasive shrub,Lantana camara,on soil properties in the Eastern Cape,South Africa

Lantana camara L. is an invasive alien shrub of worldwide significance due to its impacts on biodiversity. It can alter the soil properties of invaded ecosystems and, as a result, affect management outcomes. However, knowledge on the impacts of L. camara on soil properties is scanty, especially in South Africa, despite the pervasive presence of the plant in the country. In this comparative study, the soils underneath L. camara were assessed in order to determine if they had different properties (soil physico‐chemical properties, penetration resistance, infiltration, hydraulic conductivity and water repellency) in comparison to the soils in adjacent natural sites in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Soil samples were collected from the top soil beneath the canopy of both L. camara‐invaded and adjacent natural sites in five different locations over three summer months. The soils that were collected from underneath L. camara had a significantly higher total C, total P, gravimetric soil moisture (in November and December) and were repellent, compared to the soils in the adjacent natural sites. Soil penetration resistance was significantly higher in the natural sites than in the L. camara‐invaded sites. The soil hydraulic conductivity, soil infiltration rate, soil pH, exchangeable cations and total N showed no significant difference between the invaded and the natural sites. It appears that the soils underneath L. camara have a high total C and total P, soil moisture and are repellent, thus influencing nutrient cycling, potentially making the soil properties underneath it ideal for its own growth. This could contribute to the success of L. camara as an invasive species.     

Herbicidal potential of allelochemicals from Lantana camara against Eichhornia crassipes and the alga Microcystis aeruginosa

In the field, the growth of the aquatic weed Eichhornia crassipes and the alga Microcystis aeruginosa may be inhibited by fallen leaves of Lantana camara. This study showed that extracts of L. camara leaves and their fractions reduced the biomass of E. crassipes and M. aeruginosa within 7 days under laboratory conditions. Two fractions with highly inhibitory activity from the extract were isolated and subsequently identified as the pentacyclic triterpenoids, lantadene A and lantadene B. Both compounds significantly inhibited E. crassipes and M. aeruginosa growth, even at a low concentration. At all concentrations tested, their inhibitory activities were much higher than that of salicylic acid, a putative allelochemical from L. camara. The results indicated that the predominant allelochemicals involved in L. camara against either E. crassipes or M. aeruginosa are not phenolic acids, but lantadene A and lantadene B. Field trials showed that released levels of lantadene A and lantadene B were significantly correlated with amounts and decomposition periods of L. camara leaves floated in water. The amount released from 5 kg L. camara leaves was over the inhibition threshold of both E. crassipes and M. aeruginosa and reached a maximum at days 15–20. This study suggested that allelochemicals of L. camara could potentially be used to improve the management of weeds and algae in aquatic systems.     

Flowering behaviors of the inflorescences of an alien plant (Plantago asiatica), an alpine plant (Plantago hakusanensis), and their hybrids on Mt. Hakusan,Japan

In the subalpine zone on Mt. Hakusan, Japan, Plantago asiatica, an alien plant, and Plantago hakusanensis, a native alpine species, grow sympatrically along with their putative hybrids. Here, their flowering behavior, which affects the frequency of hybridization and the colonizing ability of P. asiatica and its hybrids, is described. The flowering behavior of each species and of two F₁ hybrids from different seed parents was determined based on the position of the flower in the inflorescence by using a generalized linear mixed model. The percentage fruit set of individually bagged inflorescences was calculated to corroborate the assumptions of the opportunities for self‐pollination. All the flowers were protogynous; however, many P. asiatica anthers dehisced before browning of the stigma in the flower and the sex presentations in the inflorescence were asynchronous. The percentage of fruit set was high. Consequently, P. asiatica has the opportunity for self‐pollination within the flower and in the inflorescence. In contrast, the P. hakusanensis anthers dehisced after browning of the stigma in the flower; their sex presentation was synchronous in the inflorescence, showing negligible opportunities for self‐pollination, and the fruit set was low. Accordingly, in the field, P. hakusanensis might require pollination among the inflorescences for seed production and be actively outcrossed, while P. asiatica is able to outcross in the early flowering phase. Therefore, P. asiatica and P. hakusanensis have opportunities for hybridization. The F₁ hybrids exhibited intermediate flowering behavior and produced fruits, demonstrating the potential to reproduce by selfing.     

Pollination of chasmogamous flowers and the effects of light and emergence time on chasmogamy and cleistogamy in Monochoria vaginalis

Monochoria vaginalis is one of the most serious weeds of rice fields in Asia. The species has both chasmogamous (CH) and cleistogamous (CL) flowers on individual plants. The objective of this study is to clarify the reproductive characteristics that affect the selfing rate of M. vaginalis. An emasculation experiment revealed that the CH flowers emasculated just after flower opening produced seeds. The seed production in the flowers emasculated just after flower opening was less than that of the flowers emasculated and hand‐pollinated with pollen from another plant. These results indicate that, although self‐pollination before anthesis occurs, cross‐pollination also can produce seeds. An experimental manipulation of light and the emergence time of the plants revealed that more than half of the flowers produced were CL flowers and the CH/CL ratio decreased with reduced light availability. The plants that emerged later produced as many CH flowers as those that emerged earlier. There was no significant difference between the CH and CL flowers in the seed number per fruit and the seed mass. These results suggest that M. vaginalis has reproductive characteristics that make the selfing rate high; however, outcrossing also can occur. Under favorable light intensity conditions, such as on the edges of paddy fields or in fallow fields, M. vaginalis will produce more CH flowers and will have a higher outcrossing rate than in shaded conditions.     

Brown Leaf Spot on Lantana spp. Caused by Pseudocercospora guianensis

Brown leaf spot of Lantana camara L. and L. montevidensis Briq. caused by Pseudocercospora guianensis (Stevens et Solheim) Deighton was found in Shizuoka, Chiba, Kagoshima and Okinawa Prefectures. Pathogenicity of isolates from the leaf spots was examined, and a taxonomic study as well as identification of the causal fungus was carried out. Similar leaf spots appeared on 7 to 25 days after inoculation with the isolates on Lantana spp., and the same fungus was re-isolated from the inoculated leaves. Two hitherto known Pseudocercospora species on Lantana, P. guianensis and P. formosana, were considered to be variations within one species, and we identified the causal fungus as P. guianensis due to priority. Received 25 September 2000/ Accepted in revised form 20 May 2001     

Lantana invasion: An overview

We review the key features of Lantana ( Lantana camara L.), an invasive plant species considered to be among the world's 10 worst weeds. Lantana occurs in diverse habitats and on a variety of soil types, and its spread is encouraged by animal activities and by human disturbances, such as cultivation, road construction, and changes in fire regimes. Lantana is morphologically distinct in the different regions of its invasive range compared to those regions in its native range. The biological attributes contributing to the success of Lantana as an invader species include: fitness homeostasis, phenotypic plasticity, dispersal benefits from destructive foraging activities, widespread geographic range, vegetative reproduction, fire tolerance, better competitive ability compared to native flora, and allelopathy. Mechanical, chemical and biological options for the eradication and control of Lantana are available. It is emphasized that ecosystem-level consequences of Lantana invasion, particularly on the biodiversity of native flora, are little understood and studies are needed to fulfill this knowledge gap.     

Limitations on the recruitment of the rare sand shrubby legume Eremosparton songoricum (Fabaceae) in Gurbantunggut Desert, China

Eremosparton songoricum,a rare and endemic sand dune plant,appears to be experiencing recruitment failure.The structure of five populations from the Gurbantunggut Desert,China,was investigated for recruitment patterns,and two of them were examined for flowering,pollination and seed germination limits on regeneration.The results showed that total 150 seedlings only occurred on line transects in riverside Dure population,but they all died half a month later;no seedlings occurred in other four hinterland desert populations indicating recruitment was a failure at all populations although flowers were plentiful.Reproductive success depends on pollinators.Nectar is 'reward' for pollinators,with 0.06 μL-0.12 μL and 0.15 μL-0.35 μL per flower in Dure and Kabu populations,respectively,in continuously two secreting days.Spontaneous self pollination is rare with nearly zero fruit production.Geitonogamous self pollination is predominant with 14.47% fruit set.Seed mass in the riverside Dure population was significantly greater than that in other hinterland desert populations.Consequently,the Dure population exhibited a significantly higher germination rate(about 90%) than those in other populations(about 30%).Results suggested that recruitment failure of E.songoricum is not due to flower shortage,pollination limitation,or poor seed germination but environmental pressure and/or human disturbance.     

Evaluation of the use of insects for biological control of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) in Zambia

Abstract

The present status of the imported and naturally occurring insects pests of Lantana camara L. a noxious exotic weed in Zambia, was determined by survey. Of the seven insect species imported in 1969–74, only Teleonemia scrupulosa Stål has become established in Zambia and occurs today all over the country. Two other neotropical lantana insects, namely Ophiomyia lantanae (Froggat) and Lantanophaga pusillidactyla Walk, have spread naturally into Zambia. In addition, 17 indigenous insect species were recorded as infesting lantana during the survey. The actual injuriousness of the insect complex to lantana was in all cases negligible, and it was concluded that insects will probably not contribute significantly to lantana control in Zambia.     

Relationships Between Blueberry Flower Age, Pollination, and Conidial Infection by Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi

ABSTRACT Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi infects open blueberry flowers via the gynoecial pathway, leading to mummification of the developing fruit. To determine the effect of flower age on infection, stigmata were inoculated with conidia of M. vaccinii-corymbosi between 0 and 5 days after anthesis, fungal growth rates through the stylar canal were measured in detached flowers in the laboratory, and fruit disease incidence was determined in plants grown in the greenhouse. Hyphal growth rates were greatest in flowers inoculated on the day of anthesis, declined linearly with increasing flower age at inoculation (r = 0.921; P < 0.0001; n = 12), and were unaffected by the presence or absence of pollen applied at the time of inoculation. In greenhouse-grown plants, the percentage of infected fruit decreased exponentially with increasing flower age at inoculation (R = 0.878; P = 0.0057; n = 10), with disease incidence ranging from 76.4% for flowers inoculated on the day of anthesis to 15.5% for those inoculated 4 days later. Fruit disease incidence in the greenhouse was linearly correlated with hyphal growth rates in detached flowers (r = 0.985; P < 0.0001; n = 9), justifying the use of detached flowers when investigating gynoecial infection by M. vaccinii-corymbosi. In separate experiments, the effects of timing and sequence of pollination and inoculation on hyphal growth rates through the stylar canal and on disease incidence were investigated. Application of pollen to detached flowers 1 or 2 days before inoculation reduced hyphal growth rates by between 14.0 and 42.9% compared with flowers that received pollen and conidia simultaneously. Similarly, reductions in fruit disease incidence by between 9.5 and 18.3% were observed on greenhouse-grown plants for pollination-to-inoculation intervals ranging from 1 to 4 days. These results document that newly opened flowers are most susceptible to infection by M. vaccinii-corymbosi and that fruit disease incidence is reduced if pollination occurs at least 1 day before inoculation. Strategies that lead to early pollination of newly opened flowers may be useful for managing mummy berry disease in the field.     

Colonization of red raspberry flowers and fruit by Botrytis cinerea under commercial production conditions in northwestern Washington,USA

Colonization of red raspberry flowers and fruit by Botrytis cinerea was determined during 2017–2018 growing seasons under commercial fungicide application programmes used for grey mould management in northwestern Washington, USA. Colonization of flowers and fruit was assessed qualitatively (incidence, %) and quantitatively (abundance, number of colonies) by recovering B. cinerea from surface-disinfested samples. Both incidence and abundance of flower colonization were significantly lower than fruit colonization in both untreated and fungicide-treated plots. Incidence of flower colonization did not differ significantly between untreated and fungicide-treated plots (43% vs. 45%, respectively). In contrast, significantly greater colonization incidence was detected at green fruit stage in untreated compared to fungicide-treated plots (96% vs. 77%, respectively). Ripe fruit had the greatest colonization incidence among the three stages sampled and colonization was not significantly different between untreated and fungicide-treated plots (100% vs. 92%, respectively). Similarly, colonization abundance of flowers did not differ significantly between untreated and fungicide-treated plots (1.0 colonies per colonized flower in both treatments), but colonization abundance of green and ripe fruit was decreased 2.3- and 2.1-fold, respectively, in fungicide-treated plots. DNA fingerprinting analysis of the pathogen revealed that different multilocus genotypes colonized flowers and fruit within the same inflorescence and that genotypic diversity increased through time, suggesting independent infection events. Overall, our results demonstrate that under current environmental conditions, raspberry flowers may not be the exclusive or major route of infection for grey mould of red raspberry in northwestern Washington. Implications of current findings for management and further research are discussed.     

The phytophagous insects on lantana in brazil and their potential for biological control in Australia

Abstract

A ten‐year survey of phytophagous insects associated with Lantana spp. (chiefly L. tiliaefolia Cham, and L. glutinosa Poepp.) in Brazil, yielded 345 species from eight orders. Half of the total species collected were Coleoptera, with Chrysomelidae being the most important family. Other important families were the Curculionidae and, in the Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Arctiidae and Noctuidae. More than 90% of insect species fed on the vegetative parts of the plant, with almost two‐thirds of these chewing holes in leaves, and fewer than 10% attacking the flowers and fruits. Woody stem borers were rare, constituting only 2% of the total insect species collected. The present status of biological control of lantana in Australia is reviewed together with the prospects of importing further biological control candidates from Brazil.     

Ecological pest management and control by using allelopathic weeds (Ageratum conyzoides,Ambrosia trifida,and Lantana camara) and their allelochemicals in China

The development of pest management and control is striving toward a future of sustainable agriculture. Weeds cause serious problems in agricultural ecosystems and attempts to control them have met with limited success. However, many weeds are allelopathic; that is, they can produce and release allelochemicals to interact with other plant competitors and to attack microbes or insect and other animal predators. These allelopathic weeds and their allelochemicals may be put into use for ecological pest management and control or employed for other uses. Currently, little attention has been paid to how allelopathic weeds and their allelochemicals potentially can be utilized as an important part of pest management and control in agricultural ecosystems. This review outlines recent research regarding the potential for pest management and control by allelopathic weeds and their allelochemicals by studying the cases of Ageratum conyzoides, Ambrosia trifida, and Lantana camara and provides examples of allelopathic weeds and their allelochemicals that have been incorporated into ecological pest management and control in China.     

House sparrows (Passer domesticus (Linn.)) causing severe damage to peach buds in residential areas at Ludhiana,Punjab

Abstract

House sparrow (Passer domesticus (Linn.)) damage to peach flower buds/flowers was observed during 1978–1985 in the Aggar Nagar (Ludhiana) residential locality. At the flower bud stage, sparrows destroy the buds completely by eating or damaging them so that no flowers are produced, but leaf buds and young leaves remain untouched. The average yield of the Flordasun peach cultivar is 75 kg per tree (Anonymous, 1985) but in the present case only 0 to approximately 2 kg fruit were produced per tree.     

Field studies of anthracnose symptoms and pathogen infection in different phases of the persimmon growing season

Anthracnose is the main disease of persimmon and is caused by Colletotrichum spp. The study of field epidemiology is essential for the development of efficient management of this disease. In this study, we investigated infection by Colletotrichum spp. throughout the persimmon growing season to understand the host–pathogen interactions better. We observed the production of primary inoculum of persimmon anthracnose and described how epidemics progress from secondary infections during the fruit crop season. The field study was carried out in an organic orchard with three susceptible persimmon cultivars, Fuyu, Kakimel and Jiro, for three consecutive seasons. Our results indicate that the pathogen survives in 1-year-old shoots, which are the sources of primary inoculum. Later that growing season, the inoculum reaches flowers and new shoots, developing symptoms and producing the secondary inoculum. Fruit drop was also observed, with or without symptoms of anthracnose, throughout the plant cycle. In some of the symptomless fruit, collected from the plant and from the ground where they had fallen, latent infections of Colletotrichum spp. were detected. Shoots, flowers, immature and ripened fruit remained infected throughout the growing season, producing conidia that could lead to new secondary infections within and among plants. The incidence of anthracnose in fruit at harvest and postharvest proved to be less relevant for disease management. Practices for chemical and cultural control of the disease throughout the persimmon growing season are discussed.     

Allelopathic potential of Acacia melanoxylon on the germination and root growth of native species

Water extracts that were obtained from the flowers and phyllodes of Acacia melanoxylon were used to determine their allelopathic potential in relation to the germination and seedling growth of the native species, cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), and common sorrel (Rumex acetosa), as well as a general biotest specie, lettuce (Lactuca sativa), in laboratory bioassays. The flowers and phyllodes of A. melanoxylon were soaked separately in distilled water in a ratio of 1:1 (w/v) for 24 h in order to prepare the aqueous extracts. Distilled water was used as the control. The seeds of the target species were germinated in Petri dishes and counted daily for up to 7 days. The A. melanoxylon flower extract (100%, 75%, and 50%) decreased the seed germination of D. glomerata, R. acetosa, L. perenne, and L. sativa. The flower extract caused the most reduction in the germination index and germination speed in D. glomerata, L. perenne, and L. sativa. The mean LC₅₀ value of the A. melanoxylon flower and phyllode extracts in relation to the germination inhibition of L. perenne was 43% and 41%, respectively, 40% and 38%, respectively, in R. acetosa, and 53% and 41%, respectively, in L. sativa. All four concentrations of the flower extract proved to be more phytotoxic than the phyllode extract, reducing the root length of all four species, while the phyllode extract decreased the root length of L. perenne and R. acetosa at the 100% concentration. The L. perenne and D. glomerata grass seeds were more sensitive regarding germination, as compared to L. sativa and R. acetosa. The flower aqueous extract of A. melanoxylon was more phytotoxic, as compared to the phyllode aqueous extract, even at the lowest concentration (25%).     

不同花色菊花品种上西花蓟马种群密度及雌雄性比

为明确不同花色菊花品种上西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis发生情况及种群变化规律,利用蓝色粘虫板调查了大棚种植的7种单色(黄色、橙色、白色、绿色、粉色、紫色、红色)以及4种双色(黄绿、黄红、白绿、黄白)菊花品种上不同时期西花蓟马的种群密度及雌雄性比。结果表明,根据四分位法得到西花蓟马的发生早期与菊花苗期重合,主要发生期与菊花开花期重合,发生晚期为切花后生长期。在所有单色菊花品种中,西花蓟马在黄色菊花品种上的种群密度最高,主要发生期虫口密度达19.98头/板;且雌雄性比最大,为5.85,显著高于其它单色菊花品种上的雌雄性比。在所有双色菊花品种中,黄绿菊花品种上的西花蓟马种群密度最高,主要发生期虫口密度达26.89头/板,显著高于其它双色菊花品种上数量,且雌雄性比也最大,为6.87。菊花开花是导致西花蓟马种群迅速上升和种群中雌虫比例迅速增加的主要原因,且西花蓟马偏好为害与黄色花色相关的菊花品种。     

Association of the western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) with cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in Israel

In 1992 and 1993, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crops in Israel were heavily damaged by the western flower thrips (WFT),Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Adult females appear in the heads of sunflower just as the latter begin to blossom; the population decreases towards completion of anthesis. The damage to kernels is greatest at the periphery of the heads, where flowers appear first, and lowest at the center. Fields sown early in the season (in March) are usually the ones infested most by WFT and suffering the greatest damage. Fields sown one month later are less infested, since predatory bugs of the genusOrius are very active at that time.     

Aspergillus niger,the causal agent of black mould disease in date fruits,infects and colonizes flowers and young fruitlets

Black mould, caused by Aspergillus niger, is the main fungal disease affecting date fruits. Symptoms develop inside the fruit, at the inner space between the pulp and the seed. This study focuses on the aetiology of black mould disease in Medjoul fruit. We followed symptom appearance naturally and after artificial A. niger inoculation at different development and maturity stages. Symptoms developed in only a short period during early fruit ripening. However, fruits were commonly colonized at earlier stages of development. Artificial inoculation of flowers and setting fruitlets increased the level of fruit colonization, while fungicide spraying at these stages decreased colonization. Several weeks following flower inoculation by A. niger, mycelium could be detected on degenerating stigmas and carpels as well as between the fruit and the calyx. Following inoculation with an A. niger strain expressing green fluorescent protein (A. niger^GFP), the pathogen was detected on stigmas of setting fruitlets but not within the stigmatic tissue or the transmitting tract of the carpel. The A. niger^GFP strain was detected during fruit development below the base of the large fruitlets and above the calyx surrounding the vascular bundle leading into the fruit. The results suggest that A. niger can infect and colonize flowers and setting fruitlets, grows on the degenerating carpels, and remains latent at a protected site at the base of the fruit until ripening. It then induces the typical black mould symptoms. The significance of these results for developing means to cope with the disease is discussed.     

Suppression of Cyperus rotundus L. in carrots with night applications of nitrofen or herbicidal oil*

Selective control or suppression of Cyperus rotundus L. in carrot (Daucus carota L.) was investigated in Brazil using post-emergence applications of nitrofen (2,4-dichlorophenyl 4-nitrophcnyl ether) or a herbicidal oil (11–7% aromatics). Night applications of nitrofen in water, nitrofen in the herbicidal oil and the herbicidal oil alone were more effective in suppressing the growth of C. rotundus foliage than day applications. Nitrofen and the herbicidal oil were, respectively, 50 and 30% more active in suppressing C. rotundus during the warm, wet season (October to March) than the cool, dry season (April to September) in Viçosa. Night applications of nitrofen (1, 2 and 4 kg/ha) in water and the herbicidal oil alone (100, 200 and 400 1/ha) suppressed C. rotundus by 60% or more, and resulted in similar carrot yields to the hand-weeded control. Combinations of nitrofen in the herbicidal oil were more effective in suppressing C. rotundus than either herbicide applied alone, but the combinations tested were toxic to the carrots. Elimination du Cyperus rotundus L. dans les cultures de carrottes au moyen d'applications nocturnes de nitrofène ou d'une huile herbicide..