Effect of Prunus serotina Ehrh. Volatile Compounds on Germination and Seedling Growth of Pinus sylvestris L.

Aleksandra Halarewicz,Paulina Bączek,Antoni Szumny

doi:10.3390/f12070846

Aleksandra Halarewicz, Paulina Bączek + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/f12070846

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Journal: Forests	Publication Date: Jun 26, 2021
Citations: 8	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences

Abstract

In temperate European forests invaded by Prunus serotina Ehrh. (black cherry), a reduction in the spontaneous regeneration capacity of Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) is observed. It could be caused by various factors, including allelopathic properties of this invasive plant. In this study the phytotoxic effect of P. serotina volatile compounds on P. sylvestris and the seasonal variation in this effect were assessed. Simple assays showed that volatiles emitted from P. serotina leaves significantly inhibited root growth of P. sylvestris seedlings. Their negative effect on stem growth was much weaker. The strongest phytotoxic effect on Scots pine seedlings was caused by the volatiles emitted from the youngest black cherry leaves. In fresh foliage of P. serotina, nineteen volatile organic compounds were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The dominant compound was benzaldehyde. On the basis of tests of linalool alone, it was found that this monoterpene present in the volatile fraction has a strong allelopathic potential and inhibits germination, root elongation and shoot elongation of pine seedlings. The results of our research suggest that volatile compounds from P. serotina leaves could limited survival of P. sylvestris individuals in the seedling phase.

Highlights

Due to the wide geographical range and small habitat requirements the Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris L., is one of the most important forest species in Europe and occurs in many different types of forest communities [1]
The strongest phytotoxic effect on Scots pine seedlings was caused by volatiles emitted from leaves collected in April compared to the response of seedlings to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from P. serotina leaves collected in June and August (Figure 1)
Our laboratory study revealed that volatile organic compounds emitted from fresh leaves of P. serotina do not affect the germination process, but limit the growth of roots and stems of P. sylvestris seedlings

Summary

Introduction

Due to the wide geographical range and small habitat requirements the Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris L., is one of the most important forest species in Europe and occurs in many different types of forest communities [1]. The natural Scots pine regeneration depends on many factors, starting with the abundance of seeds in the sowing year and choice of soil preparation method after clear-cutting [2]. Seed germination in the first growth phase depends strongly on the depth and variable humidity of the humus layer, until seedling radicles reach more water-stable mineral soil [3,4]. One of the most important invader plants in European forests is black cherry, Prunus serotina Ehrh. This alien species grows in a wide range of habitat conditions, has a high ability of generative reproduction and vegetative sprouting, its numerous seeds are dispersed by birds and mammals and it establishes a long-living shade-tolerant seedling bank [10,11,12]

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