Influence of Mechanical Wounding and Compartmentalization Mechanism on the Suppression of Invasive Plant Species Using the Example of Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Denis Plavčak,Maks Merela,Urša Mikac

doi:10.3390/f12121646

Abstract

Natural habitats increasingly face the introduction and spread of non-native species. Under the right conditions, non-native species can become invasive over time. This issue is now being addressed by many experts and researchers who are using and developing various approaches and methods to limit and eliminate or suppress problematic plant species. Many invasive plants are already spreading uncontrollably in urban and forestry areas, causing health hazards, environmental and economic damage and negatively impacting natural ecosystems. The use of chemical agents is generally limited, so our only option to control and suppress the problematic species is mechanical removal. In this research suppression by tree stem wounding, i.e., incomplete girdling, was used. This type of injury causes the plant to lose its vitality, become weaker after first year and then die within a few years. Using a research approach, we chronologically monitored the response of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.) stem tissue to mechanical wounding of the incomplete girdling. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and light microscopy were used for monitoring moisture content and anatomical changes in different periods after injury. The results of the study showed that cherry laurel, with an intense wound tissue response and other changes, is a species with good compartmentalization potential. The rapid and intense tissue response to injury requires high energy and nutrient consumption and consequently leads to a loss of vigour and mechanical stability, which may result in plant destruction. Results revealed that mechanical wounding by incomplete girdling is a successful method for suppression of non-native and invasive cherry laurel.

Highlights

IntroductionMixed forests predominate, in which more than 70 native tree species can be found
For some of the most problematic non-native species such as tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima Mill.), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina L.) as well as cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.), the spread is so effective that they displace and dominate native species and cause economic damage, which means that non-native species become invasive and even threaten the functioning of the primary natural ecosystem [4,5]
The damaged tissues are subsequently actively compartmentalised by the formation of physical and chemical barrier, i.e., reaction zone or passively by existing tissues and biochemical compounds and by the high moisture content of the living sapwood

Summary

Introduction

Mixed forests predominate, in which more than 70 native tree species can be found. ), the appearance of numerous natural enemies (fungi and insects) and of new non-native plant species, our forests and with them native species are seriously threatened. A number of these new non-native plant species (trees and shrubs) are thriving outside their natural range in areas that could not be reached without indirect human assistance [1,2]. Many non-native plant species die out, but a few survive, become domesticated over time, and begin to spread rapidly and successfully, especially if they do not yet have natural enemies (fungi and insects, etc.) from their native environment. The proportion of non-native tree species in Slovenia is about 1% of the total timber stand, and they are monitored [1,3]. For some of the most problematic non-native species such as tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima Mill.), black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina L.) as well as cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.), the spread is so effective that they displace and dominate native species and cause economic damage, which means that non-native species become invasive and even threaten the functioning of the primary natural ecosystem [4,5]

Objectives

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Conclusion