Biochar mitigation of allelopathic effects in three invasive plants: evidence from seed germination trials

Many invasive species show allelopathic effects that contribute to competitive impacts on native vegetation for which few control measures exist. We investigated the potential for pyrolized organic material used as a soil amendment (“biochar”) to sorb allelochemicals and mitigate allelopathic effect...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Soil Science 2022-03, Vol.102 (1), p.213-224
Main Authors: Bieser, Jillian M.H, Al-Zayat, Maria, Murtada, Jad, Thomas, Sean C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ailanthus altissima
Allelochemicals
Allelopathy
Alliaria petiolata
Andropogon
Ashes
Biological products
Carbon
Charcoal
Construction industry wastes
Construction materials
Evergreen trees
Garlic
Germination
Grasses
Hardwoods
Indigenous species
Introduced species
Invasive plants
Invasive species
Lactuca sativa
Leachates
Melilotus officinalis
Mustard
Nonnative species
Pine
Pine trees
Pinus banksiana
Plant extracts
Poa palustris
Quercus rubra
Seed germination
Seedlings
Seeds
Soil amendment
Soil investigations
Sorption
Wood
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Summary:Many invasive species show allelopathic effects that contribute to competitive impacts on native vegetation for which few control measures exist. We investigated the potential for pyrolized organic material used as a soil amendment (“biochar”) to sorb allelochemicals and mitigate allelopathic effects on seed germination and early seedling development in three common invasive plants in Canada: garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), and yellow sweetgrass (Melilotus officinalis). We hypothesized that biochars would mitigate effects on germination and early seedling development (radicle extension and cotyledon development) through sorption of allelochemicals. Laboratory assays of seed germination and early seedling development of two agricultural crops (Lactuca sativa and Raphinus raphanistrum) and two native grass species (Andropogon gerardi and Poa palustris) were conducted using water extracts from leaves. Seeds were treated with plant extracts exposed to four different biochars (red oak (Quercus rubra), jack pine (Pinus banksiana), shipping pallet and construction waste, and high-carbon wood ash) using a range of extract and biochar dosages. Treatment of allelopathic plant extracts by biochars significantly (p 
ISSN:0008-4271
1918-1841
1918-1833
DOI:10.1139/cjss-2020-0160