Biology,distribution and impacts of silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.)*

Silverleaf nightshade, Solanum elaeagnifolium, is listed as a noxious weed in its native range (Americas) and as an invasive alien plant in many countries across the world. Its local pattern of distribution in the EPPO region indicates that it is still in an establishment phase. S. elaeagnifolium invasiveness could be related to several biological traits: copious production of sexual and asexual propagules, its facility for long‐distance dispersion, its ability to endure considerable drought and to dominate shallow‐rooted vegetation, especially during summer dry periods, and its capacity to suppress more valuable species because it is unpalatable and toxic to cattle. Invasion of the Mediterranean semi‐arid region by S. elaeagnifolium was mainly facilitated by irrigation and animal production. Low moisture stress may favour this invasive species and sheep are an important pathway for its long‐distance dispersal. Once established, it is one of the most difficult weeds to eradicate because of its network of creeping horizontal and deep vertical roots. Its phenotypic plasticity enables it to adopt a rosette‐like growth pattern to escape control by repeated slashing. Thus, S. elaeagnifolium monitoring in the EPPO region is vital in order to contain established populations and prevent invasion.     

Time of emergence impacts the growth and reproduction of silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.)

Silverleaf nightshade is one of the worst agricultural weeds on a worldwide basis. Improved understanding of its life cycle will be useful for weed management. This research showed that the growth and reproduction of silverleaf nightshade were affected significantly by the time of emergence. Plants (both root‐ and seed‐generated) that emerged early in the growing season, such as in September or November (spring), were significantly taller and produced more biomass and fruit than plants that emerged in January (summer) and March (autumn). Delayed emergence resulted in a shorter vegetative phase and less fruit production. As a result, the silverleaf nightshade plants that emerged in September produced a large amount of seeds, while the plants that emerged later in the season did not flower. Thus, control of early‐emerging plants is important. The dynamics of fruit production indicated that silverleaf nightshade fruit formed in December and peaked in March, which suggests that a control action is required before December to control the soil seed bank.     

Genetic diversity of Solanum elaeagnifolium,an invasive problematic weed in Jordan

Solanum elaeagnifolium (silverleaf nightshade) is a problematic weed that is common in Jordan and difficult to control. The weed exhibits distinct morphological variations in growth habit, leaf shape, leaf margins, flower colour and presence or absence of spines between individuals among and within populations suggesting genetic differences. Genetic variations among 61 samples of S. elaeagnifolium collected from heavily infested sites in the central Jordan Valley were investigated using six simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and eight amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer combinations. Results showed that 111 out of 675 AFLP bands were polymorphic generating polymorphism information content (PIC) of 38.0%, while 23 SSR polymorphic alleles were detected generating a PIC of 30.8%. Phylogenetic analysis using RaxML software identified four major clades with a clear clustering of the samples with their collection sites. Genetic analysis using both techniques revealed high level of genetic diversity among S. elaeagnifolium samples collected from a small geographical area indicating that a range of genetic diversity may be detected in weed populations across the country that may complicate its management.     

Solanum elaeagnifolium,a potential source of Potato virus Y (PVY) propagation*

In the context of an epidemiological study on Potato virus Y (PVY) in potato crops, Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. was included in the weeds prospected. Surveys were carried out in four seed potato areas: Cap Bon, Manouba, Jendouba and Kairouan. S. elaeagnifolium was found in all areas, except Cap Bon. Virus‐like symptoms were observed on some S. elaeagnifolium plants in the field, i.e. leaf mottling and curling. Aphids were collected on these plants and were identified as Myzus persicae and Aphis fabae, both known to colonize potatoes and to transmit the standard PVY^N isolate with transmission efficiencies of 95% and 43%, respectively. Forty‐seven plant samples were tested with ELISA for the presence of PVY. Positive reactions were obtained from 2/6, 5/18, 8/23 samples collected in Manouba, Jendouba and Kairouan, respectively. Virus transmission was carried out using M. persicae as vector from two samples of each region onto plantlets of Nicotiana tabacum cv Xanthi. All inoculated plantlets displayed typical symptoms of the PVY^N strain group, confirmed by serological testing using specific antibodies. This is the first report of a PVY natural infection on S. elaeagnifolium in Tunisia. The abundance of this weed, its over‐wintering status and the high rate of PVY‐infected plants (31.9%) allow us to deduce that S. elaeagnifolium must be considered a reservoir species of PVY under natural conditions in Tunisia and probably in other Mediterranean countries. The presence of efficient aphid vectors of PVY on this weed in crops is additional evidence that S. elaeagnifolium may become a problem by acting as a source plant for PVY spread in potato crops.     

Ecological grouping of Solanum elaeagnifolium: a principal weed in the irrigated Tadla plain (central Morocco)

In order to study the ecological relationships between Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. and the main biotic and abiotic factors in the irrigated arid Tadla plain (central Morocco), the theory of mutual information and corrected frequency profiles has been adopted. The main ecological factors taken into account in this study were the climate, soil, texture, salinity, irrigation, type of land use and the intensity of farming. The growth and extension of S. elaeagnifolium was found to be controlled by the arid and semi-arid Mediterranean climate, by soil type and by technical and agronomic factors.     

不同贮藏条件下龙葵种子的季节性休眠特性

龙葵是农田恶性杂草?为明确龙葵种子休眠与季节温度的关系, 研究了室内和室外不同贮藏条件下其种子萌发对温度的响应规律?结果表明, 室外贮藏条件下的龙葵种子萌发呈季节性变化, 从10月到翌年5月, 龙葵种子萌发率均在95%以上, 随着夏季温度的升高, 萌发率从6月开始下降, 9月达到最低值(25.4%), 由此进行年际间休眠和非休眠周期的循环?夏季6月-9月的高温可诱导龙葵种子进入休眠状态, 而秋冬季的相对低温有利于解除种子休眠, 使种子恢复萌发状态?龙葵种子休眠和非休眠状态之间的切换受季节性温度变化的影响?室内贮藏的种子, 由于环境温度较为稳定, 其萌发率年际变化较小, 在20%~50%之间?本文明确了龙葵种子休眠的周期性变化规律, 有助于精准预测其出苗时间, 研究结果可为阐明龙葵种子休眠萌发机制和制订基于萌发调控的绿色防控策略提供依据?     

Evaluation du stock en semences de la morelle jaune (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.) dans le sol du Tadla (Maroc)

Assessment of the stock of Solaneum elaeagnifolium Cav. seeds in the soil of the Tadla (Morocco) On the basis of soil samples from four fields on the irrigated perimeter of the Tadla (Central Morocco), selected from the area most heavily infested with Solanum elaeagnifolium, estimates of the stock of seeds of this perennial weed revealed a mean value of 375 seeds m^?2 to a depth of 60 cm (dead + viable seeds). The average for the viable seed stock, however, is 163 seeds m^?2 to a depth of 60 cm, or an average of 43·5% of the total stock of seeds counted. The average distribution profile of the seeds of S. elaeagnifolium in the soil is as follows: 71·7, 25·1 and 3·2%, respectively, in the 0–20, 20–40 and 40–60 cm horizons. The vertical distribution of viable seeds followed the same profile as the overall stock; thus we found 73 and 27% of viable seeds were located in the 0–20 and 20–40 cm horizons, respectively.     

Effects of shading and soybean Glycine max (L.) interference on Solanum ptycanthum (Dun.) (eastern black nightshade) growth and development

Summary. Solanum ptycanthum (Dun.) vegetative and reproductive growth was evaluated under shade and in the field with soybean interference. In full sunlight without soybean interference, a S. ptycanthum plant produced 243 g shoots and 5957 berries in 20 weeks, but only 38 g and 576 berries in 11 weeks. Plants grown in 94% shade produced 3 g of shoots and 23 berries in 20 weeks, and 1 g and 1 berry in 11 weeks. S. ptycanthum plants that emerged with the soybeans and were positioned between 75-cm rows produced 43 g shoots and 264 berries, whereas plants positioned in 75-cm rows and emerging 6 weeks after the soybeans produced 1 g and 16 berries. When grown between 37·5-cm rows for the same period of time this weed produced 12 g and 2 berries plant⁻¹; plants positioned in 37·5-cm rows produced shoots less than 1 g in weight and one berry plant⁻¹. Shoot growth and berry production of S. ptycanthum increased from 80 to 200% in a 2-week period between the initiation of soybean leaf abscission and maturity. In a season about 50 000 seeds weed⁻¹ were produced in full sunlight; 20 000 or less were produced under soybean interference. When grown in irradiance levels from full sunlight to 94% shade, viable seeds were first detected 10 days after anthesis and essentially all seeds in the berry were viable 24 days after anthesis     

银叶粉虱发生的指示植物——西葫芦银叶

本文通过对银叶粉虱数量、龄期、光照时数和品种对西葫芦银叶表达影响的研究，提出了确认银叶粉虱发生的规范生物学方法。     

Response of plant physiological parameters to soil water availability during prolonged drought is affected by soil texture

Soil water deficit is increasingly threatening the sustainable vegetation restoration and ecological construction on the Loess Plateau of China due to the climate warming and human activities. To determine the response thresholds of Amygdalus pedunculata (AP) and Salix psammophila (SP) to soil water availability under different textural soils, we measured the changes in net photosynthetic rate (P_n), stomatal conductance (G_s), intercellular CO₂ concentration (C_i), leaf water potential (ψ_w), water use efficiency (WUE) and daily transpiration rate (T_d) of the two plant species during soil water content (SWC) decreased from 100% field capacity (FC) to 20% FC in the sandy and loamy soils on the Loess Plateau in the growing season from June to August in 2018. Results showed that P_n, G_s, WUE and T_d of AP and SP remained relatively constant at the beginning of soil water deficit but decreased rapidly as plant available soil water content (PASWC) fell below the threshold values in both the sandy and loamy soils. The PASWC thresholds corresponding to P_n, G_s and C_i of AP in the loamy soil (0.61, 0.62 and 0.70, respectively) were lower than those in the sandy soil (0.70, 0.63 and 0.75, respectively), whereas the PASWC thresholds corresponding to P_n, G_s and C_i of SP in the loamy soil (0.63, 0.68 and 0.78, respectively) were higher than those in the sandy soil (0.58, 0.62 and 0.66, respectively). In addition, the PASWC thresholds in relation to T_d and WUE of AP (0.60 and 0.58, respectively) and SP (0.62 and 0.60, respectively) in the loamy soil were higher than the corresponding PASWC thresholds of AP (0.58 and 0.52, respectively) and SP (0.55 and 0.56, respectively) in the sandy soil. Furthermore, the PASWC thresholds for the instantaneous gas exchange parameters (e.g., P_n and G_s) at the transient scale were higher than the thresholds for the parameters (e.g., T_d) at the daily scale. Our study demonstrates that different plant species and/or different physiological parameters exhibit different thresholds of PASWC and that the thresholds are affected by soil texture. The result can provide guidance for the rational allocation and sustainable management of reforestation species under different soil conditions in the loess regions.     

Growth and photosynthetic responses of invasive Bidens frondosa to light and water availability: A comparison with invasive and native congeners

Bidens frondosa is a new invasive species in China. However, the mechanisms underlying its invasiveness are still not understood. This study compared the new invader with its invasive congener, Bidens pilosa, and two native congeners, Bidens biternata and Bidens tripartita, in terms of their morphology, growth, biomass allocation and photosynthetic parameters across variant light and water conditions, aiming to explore the traits that are associated with the invasiveness of the invasive species. All these species are annual herbs. The results showed that the four congeners had a similar tendency of plasticity in their morphological and growth traits to varying light and water, but their response was quantitatively different. Most of the morphological and growing variables, as well as the photosynthetic parameters, were affected more strongly by manipulated light levels. Although B. frondosa had a lower total biomass and relative growth rate than the invasive congener, B. pilosa, the trait values related to growth (e.g. plant height, total biomass, relative growth rate and specific leaf area) and the mean value of the plasticity index were higher for the invasive B. frondosa than for the native B. tripartita. These could contribute to the invasiveness of the invasive species. In addition, the native species, B. biternata, is a vigorous weed with a strong adaptive capacity across various light and water gradients, suggesting that it has the potential to be invasive if introduced into areas with suitable conditions for growth.     

两种沉水植物在不同水深和生长时期对入侵植物的响应

为研究沉水植物在不同水深和生长时期对不同种类入侵植物的响应,选取2种湿地入侵植物凤眼莲Eichhornia crassipes、水盾草Cabomba caroliniana和2种常见本地沉水植物黑藻Hydrillaverticillata、菹草Potamogeton crispus为研究对象,通过模拟试验探究在不同水深（0.2、0.4 m）和生长时期（生长初期和生长旺期）的本地沉水植物对2种入侵植物的响应。结果显示,当水深为0.4 m时更有利于黑藻的生长,并可削弱入侵植物对黑藻生长的消极作用,而水深对菹草的生长无显著影响;入侵植物种类对本地沉水植物的生长无显著影响,但影响方式却存在差异,其中水盾草倾向于直接抑制本地沉水植物的生长,而凤眼莲可以通过降低水体透明度以及总磷含量进而间接抑制本地沉水植物的生长。此外,外来植物在本地沉水植物生长初期入侵对本地沉水植物产生的消极影响较生长旺期入侵时更显著。表明凤眼莲及水盾草入侵对本地沉水植物生长的影响机制存在差异,本地沉水植物在适宜水深和生长旺期对2种入侵植物具有更强的抵抗能力。     

Etat actuel de l'infestation par Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. pour les différentes cultures du périmètre du Tadla (Maroc)

Present state of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. infestation in different crops of the Tadla perimeter (Morocco) The present state of infestation by Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. in crops of the whole agricultural region of the Tadla (Central Morocco) is presented. Using the ecological profile method, it was found that, on the one hand, the Béni Amir perimeter (north Tadla) is much more heavily infested than the Béni Moussa perimeter (south Tadla) and, on the other, infestation is heaviest in spring crops (cotton, maize, sesame). A map attached to the text shows the exact distribution of the species within this region.     

土壤水分有效性对梨枣叶片光合参数和抗旱性的影响

利用自动称量和补水系统,对三年生梨枣树进行适宜水分、轻度和重度干旱三种土壤水分处理(土壤含水量分别为田间持水量的75%±5%、60%±5%和45%±5%),旨在探究不同土壤水分对梨枣叶片光合参数和抗旱性的影响。结果表明:(1)轻度干旱对梨枣叶片的光合参数没有显著影响,但重度干旱引起净光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)、胞间CO2浓度(Ci)和光能利用率(LUE)明显降低,而水分利用效率(WUE)和气孔限制值(Ls)增加。(2)轻度干旱对梨枣叶片丙二醛(MDA)含量影响不大,过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性则显著上升;而重度干旱下MDA含量显著上升,同时超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性以及抗坏血酸(ASA)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量明显升高,但仍不能消除重度干旱对梨枣叶片膜系统造成的严重伤害。因此,轻度干旱并未引发梨枣叶片显著的生物学胁迫,而在重度干旱条件下梨枣叶片的光合能力和膜系统均受到严重影响。     

Black nightshade (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum nigrum</Emphasis>) emergence and development is affected by seed density and burial depth

Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) is a troublesome weed worldwide, affecting a large number of crops. As weed development is affected by a variety of factors, advanced knowledge on the plant’s biological and ecological qualities can support favorable management strategies. Seed density is an ecological factor affecting emergence and early growth of many weed species. For that reason, the current study characterizes and quantifies the seed density impact on black nightshade seedling-emergence and early growth, and the interaction between seed density and burial depth on these growth parameters. Greenhouse studies conducted in 2005, 2006 and 2010 examined black nightshade seed densities of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 seeds per pot, buried at, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 cm. Impact of seed density on weed emergence and growth was characterized by number of emerged plants and leaves, followed by biomass measurements. Seed density had no impact on emergence at the tested burial depths. There was a strong logistic relationship (P < 0.001, and R ²  > 0.97) between time and emergence, and a strong linear relationship (P < 0.002 and R ²  > 0.86) between time and number of leaves produced in all depths and seed densities. A negative relationship was observed between seed density and plant development and growth rate. Results of this study extend the knowledge on black nightshade biology and support decision-making concerning rational weed management.     

Epitrix pubescens can cause damage to potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) has not been recorded as a host of Epitrix pubescens (Koch, 1803), a species of flea beetle present in Europe. However, anecdotal evidence was received of damage to potato leaves caused by flea beetles observed during inspections of potato crops and also on potato plants within a garden in France. Although potato may not act as a host for all life stages of this beetle, adults may feed on foliage and cause foliar symptoms similar to those caused by non‐native Epitrix species.     

红薯光合特征对土壤透气性的响应

通过盆栽试验研究了不同土壤质地和水分条件下红薯光合特性对土壤透气性的响应。结果表明:土壤透气性显著影响红薯叶片蒸腾速率和水分利用效率,随土壤透气性的增加,蒸腾速率显著降低,水分利用效率显著增加,红薯的光合作用不受土壤透气性的影响;透气性对红薯蒸腾和水分利用效率的影响与土壤质地有关,在沙土质地下,红薯的光合速率、蒸腾速率和水分利用效率均不受透气性影响,而在壤土质地下,红薯的蒸腾速率随透气性的增加显著降低,而水分利用效率显著增加;透气性对红薯光合特性的影响与生育期有关,不同生育期内,红薯光合特征对土壤透气性的响应也不同。研究表明,在分析作物对土壤透气性的响应时,需要考虑土壤质地、水分条件和生育期的影响。     

Assessing whole-sounder removal versus traditional control for reducing invasive wild pig (Sus scrofa) populations

BACKGROUND

Trapping is commonly used as the primary management tool in attempts to reduce invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa), but traditional trapping techniques are often ineffective. However, recently developed traps permit the capture of entire social groups (sounders) of wild pigs, and the strategy of whole-sounder removal may achieve more effective control. Our objective was to experimentally compare traditional control (TC; primarily traditional trapping, but including hunting with dogs, and opportunistic shooting) and whole-sounder removal (WSR) strategies by assessing density reduction and removal rate after 1 and 2 years of treatment.

RESULTS

After 1 year of trapping, average wild pig density on WSR units declined 53% and remained stable after the second year, whereas on TC units, pig density did not differ after trapping, although it declined 33% and remained stable after the second year of trapping. The median removal rate (percentage of uniquely marked pigs present at the beginning of each year that were removed) was 42.5% for WSR units and 0.0% for TC units during 2018 and were 29.6% from WSR units and 5.3% from TC units during 2019.

CONCLUSIONS

WSR removal was more effective at reducing wild pig density than TC, but factors such as previous exposure of this population to traditional traps and the lack of barriers to recolonization from surrounding areas may have reduced WSR efficacy. WSR can effectively reduce wild pig density to a greater extent than TC, but managers should recognize the additional time and expense necessary for implementation. Published 2023. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.