Abstract
Impatiens parviflora is non-native invasive plant species occupying large areas all over the Europe and threatens native communities by altering their species composition and reducing native biodiversity. The factor responsible for its spreading could be explained by releasing biochemical to the environment. On the other hands, high demand on secondary metabolites as potential source of new ecofriendly biocides could be beneficial. The analysis of I. parviflora essential oil (EO) led us to identify more than 60 volatiles. The main compound was hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, other dominant components were phytol, carvacrol, germacra-4(15),5,10(14)-trien-1-α-ol, and pentacosane. The potential phytotoxic effect of I. parviflora EO collected in two vegetation periods (summer and autumn) was evaluated on seed germination and root elongation of three dicot species (Raphanus sativus, Lepidum sativum, and Lactuca sativa) and on one monocot species (Triticum aestivum). The seed germination of only one dicot species, L. sativa, was affected by both EOs. In contrast, seed germination of monocot species T. aestivum was influenced only by the highest doses of EOs isolated from I. parviflora in autumn. The root elongation of tested plant species was less influenced by I. parviflora EOs. L. sativum showed sensitivity to one dose of EOs hydrodistilled in summer, while the monocot species was influenced by both EOs samples in highest doses. Our findings revealed that I. parviflora contained phenolics that were phytotoxic to the germination of some plant species, mainly at higher EOs doses, while root elongation of tested plants was not suppressed by essential oils.
Highlights
Impatiens parviflora DC. belongs to the Balsaminaceae family and is native to Eastern Siberia
Chemical composition of essential oil (EO) isolated from I. parviflora were, considerably diverse between sampling season
We were able to identify in EOs besides of rose oxides the C(13)-norisoprenoids like (E)-β-damascenone and α- and β-ionone and its derivatives—volatiles—which are mainly characteristic for valuable aroma plants
Summary
Impatiens parviflora DC. (small balsam) belongs to the Balsaminaceae family and is native to Eastern Siberia. The species spread in many countries cross the Europe as well as in Canada [1,2,3]. Slovak State Nature Protection agency and the European Union categorize this species as a non-native species. Different studies focus on its distribution and ecology as invasive species [3,4,5,6,7,8]. I. parviflora undoubtedly has an environmental influence on native biodiversity through changes in community structure, nutrient cycles, trophic levels, hydrology, and competition act as an invasive species [6,9]. According to Slovak legislation, I. parviflora is considered as a dangerous species with the potential to adversely affect natural ecosystems. It is assumed that it was introduced to the Europe by trading as ornamental plant as most of the invasive species. First observation of the I. parviflora in Europe is Plants 2019, 8, 241; doi:10.3390/plants8070241 www.mdpi.com/journal/plants
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