Lonicera Maackii Research Articles

Evaluating spectral properties of invasive plant species in Kentucky recreation areas

ABSTRACT This study examines the spectral characteristics of two invasive plant species, Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) and Callery ‘Bradford’ pear (Pyrus calleryana Decne), in central Kentucky’s recreational areas. Using a combination of spectrometer, satellite (National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP)) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) data, this study investigated the correlation between leaf locations and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), as well as the impact of terrain features on vegetation indices. Significant variations in NDVI and normalized difference red-edge (NDRE) index values across study areas and leaf positions were observed. Terrain attributes, particularly slope and aspect direction, significantly influenced vegetative indices in one study site. Weak to moderate correlations were found between the spectrometer and UAV-derived NDVI and NDRE values. Additionally, the study highlighted the feasibility of upscaling UAV data for NAIP imagery comparison, reaffirming the superior accuracy of UAV imagery in assessing vegetation health. This integration of remote sensing techniques offers valuable insights into the spectral characteristics of invasive plants, essential for their effective mapping and management.

Invasive shrubs differentially alter autumnal activity for three common small-mammal species.

Seasonal variation in animal activity influences fitness and the intensity of ecological interactions (e.g., competition, predation), yet aspects of global change in the Anthropocene may catalyze shifts in seasonal activity. Invasive plants are components of global change and can modify animal daily activity, but their influence on animal seasonal activity is less understood. We examined how invasive woody shrubs (Autumn olive [Elaeagnus umbellata] and Amur honeysuckle [Lonicera maackii]) affect seasonal activity of three common small-mammal species by coupling experimental shrub removal with autumnal camera trapping for two consecutive years at six paired forest sites (total 12 plots). Eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) foraged more, and foraging was observed at least 20 days longer, in shrub-invaded forests. White-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) foraged more in invaded than cleared plots in one study year, but P. leucopus autumn activity timing did not differ between shrub-removal treatments. Fox squirrel (Sciurus niger) activity displayed year-specific responses to shrub removal suggesting intraannual cues (e.g., temperature) structure S. niger autumnal activity. Our work highlights how plant invasions can have species-specific effects on seasonal animal activity, may modify the timing of physiological processes (e.g., torpor), and could generate variation in animal-mediated interactions such as seed dispersal or granivory.

Lonicera maackii Established in Rhode Island Forests

Lonicera maackii Established in Rhode Island Forests

New floristic records in Kyiv City and its environs

The results of floristic research in the territory of Kyiv City and its environs (in the adjacent territories of Kyiv Region) are presented. According to the results, five new taxa for the flora of Ukraine are reported: Cardamine occulta, Equisetum × moorei, Lolium × holmbergii, Limonium sinuatum, Lonicera maackii. Chrozophora tinctoria is a new species for the flora of the mainland part of Ukraine. Also, 16 new taxa were identified for the regional floras of the Ukrainian Polissya, Forest-Steppe, and Middle Dnipro regions. In addition, new locations of 69 rare aboriginal and expansive alien taxa are reported. In total, among the studied taxa 38 are native and 53 are alien. Among the studied alien plants, several are potentially invasive ones, and some of them have already demonstrated their invasive nature, in particular: Cornus sanguinea subsp. australis, Erigeron strigosus, Phragmites altissimus, and Vitis riparia. The results of our study confirm that the flora of Kyiv City and its environs is one of the richest floras in the plain part of Ukraine, and currently it is rapidly changing.

Basal bark herbicide treatment of Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle) is effective regardless of application timing, with limited nontarget effects on native plant diversity

Abstract Managers tasked with controlling invasive species require effective methods that are quick and easy to use without inflicting extensive nontarget damage, while also being compatible with other scheduled management responsibilities. Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle) is a non‐native shrub that has invaded eastern and midwestern North American deciduous forests, altering ecosystem function and reducing biodiversity. This study explores prescribed fire and seasonal basal applications of triclopyr ester as control methods and examines the extent of nontarget damage. We used paired‐split plots to implement basal bark treatments in different seasons within burned and unburned units, and we tracked individual L. maackii to determine mortality and hyperlocal impacts of management. Basal bark treatments killed 98.4% of L. maackii across seasonal timings. Nontarget plant cover declined similarly for all herbicide application seasons, but there were some signs of recovery within 4 years, and the early‐ and late spring treatments were less affected overall. Species richness showed biologically small but statistically different declines across treatment times. Prescribed fire did not impact L. maackii mortality or interact with herbicide efficacy. Basal bark applications of triclopyr are an effective means of L. maackii control regardless of application timing, which allows managers to implement it at their convenience to avoid interfering with other management tasks that have time constraints.

Long-term effects of a tornado: Impacts on woody native vegetation and invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) in an urban forest.

As tornados become increasingly common with global climate change, recovery of the woody vegetation in temperate forests is imperative to maintain an intact ecosystem. In many urbanized landscapes, invasive species are also increasing and could interfere with natural recovery from environmental disturbance. We quantified the impact and 17-year recovery from a major tornado in a temperate deciduous forest. We used vegetational surveys in southwestern Ohio at the Harris M. Benedict Nature Preserve, where approximately a third of this site was damaged by a tornado in 1999. Plots were established in the tornado-damaged area and the nearby undisturbed forest to examine forest recovery of trees/saplings, shrubs and vines, and tree seedlings during 2003, 2006, 2010, and 2016/2017. The number of tree saplings, shrubs, and vines increased immediately after the tornado, but then declined by 2010, relative to the undisturbed forest. Forest tree recruitment was lower in tornado-damaged sites with fewer tree seedlings, but more saplings. Tree diversity was also affected by Agrilus planipennis (Emerald Ash borer) which targeted native ash trees within this time period. Despite an initial increase in shrubs and vines in the damaged area, the diversity and density of shrubs approached equality in both sites by 2016. Most shrubs in both sites were the invasive Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle). In tornado sites, honeysuckle thinned out over time, leaving larger shrubs with greater mean basal diameter compared to the undisturbed forest. Other woody invasive species were also more prevalent in the damaged area, but increased in number in both locations by 2017. The forest has the capability to begin to recover from the initial tornado, but its future composition may differ from its initial trajectory due to invasive species, loss of ash trees, and anthropogenic impacts within the urban landscape.

Long-term interactive impacts of the invasive shrubLonicera maackiiand white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on a deciduous forest understory

AbstractWhite-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) (hereafter, ‘deer’) and invasive plants affect forest understories, but few studies have investigated their interaction. We investigated long-term (11-yr) effects of excluding deer and removing the invasive shrub, Amur honeysuckle [Lonicera maackii(Rupr.) Herder], on plants in southwest Ohio. Deer exclusion enhanced tree seedling richness and density, but reduced annual and bare ground cover. Vine density was reduced byLonicera, especially where deer were excluded. Seedlings of several tree species, the invasive shrub, burning bush [Euonymus alatus(Thunb.) Siebold], and the invasive vine, winter creeper [Euonymous fortunei(Turcz.) Hand.-Maz.], were indicator species of the deer exclosure byLoniceraremoval treatment combination. The effect of deer on cover of native species depended onLoniceratreatment: where shrubs were removed, cover was higher where deer were excluded, but where shrubs were present, cover was higher where deer had access. We attribute these interactions to the reduced growth of, and shading by,Lonicerawhere deer had access and browsed this invasive shrub. Some of these effects were evident in the first 6 yr, but are now larger. Other effects were not evident in the earlier evaluation. These findings inform management of areas with high densities of deer and invasive shrubs palatable to deer. Control of only invasive shrubs will reduce native cover and not improve tree regeneration. Managing only deer will increase woody plants but reduce native cover. Management of both stressors is needed to promote tree regeneration and restoration of plant communities.

High-throughput screening of ancient forest plant extracts shows cytotoxicity towards triple-negative breast cancer

According to the World Health Organization, women's breast cancer is among the most common cancers with 7.8 million diagnosed cases during 2016–2020 and encompasses 15 % of all female cancer-related mortalities. These mortality events from triple-negative breast cancer are a significant health issue worldwide calling for a continuous search of bioactive compounds for better cancer treatments. Historically, plants are important sources for identifying such new bioactive chemicals for treatments. Here we use high-throughput screening and mass spectrometry analyses of extracts from 100 plant species collected in Chinese ancient forests to detect novel bioactive breast cancer phytochemicals. First, to study the effects on viability of the plant extracts, we used a MTT and CCK-8 cytotoxicity assay employing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 and normal epithelial MCF-10A cell lines and cell cycle arrest to estimate apoptosis using flow cytometry for the most potent three speices. Based on these analyses, the final most potent extracts were from the Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) wood/root bark and Nigaki (Picrasma quassioides) wood/root bark. Then, 5 × 106 MDA-MB-231 cells were injected subcutaneously into the right hind leg of nude mice and a tumour was allowed to grow before treatment for seven days. Subsequently, the four exposed groups received gavage extracts from Amur honeysuckle and Nigaki (Amur honeysuckle wood distilled water, Amur honeysuckle root bark ethanol, Nigaki wood ethanol or Nigaki root bark distilled water/ethanol (1:1) extracts) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), while the control group received only PBS. The tumour weight of treated nude mice was reduced significantly by 60.5 % within 2 weeks, while on average killing 70 % of the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells after 48 h treatment (MTT test). In addition, screening of target genes using the Swiss Target Prediction, STITCH, STRING and NCBI-gene database showed that the four plant extracts possess desirable activity towards several known breast cancer genes. This reflects that the extracts may kill MBD-MB-231 breast cancer cells. This is the first screening of plant extracts with high efficiency in 2 decades, showing promising results for future development of novel cancer treatments.

Rodent-mediated seed limitation affects woody seedling establishment more than invasive shrubs and downed woody debris

Seedling establishment is crucial for the development of self-regenerating tree populations. Determinants of tree establishment vary widely and may compound in their effects. Using a factorial experiment, we manipulated invasive shrubs, downed woody debris (DWD), and rodent access to evaluate factors limiting the establishment of six woody species (five native trees, one invasive shrub). Our results suggest these factors independently contribute to tree seedling establishment. Exclusion of rodents increased establishment threefold. Invasive shrub removal ( Elaeagnus umbellata; Lonicera maackii) and the presence of DWD promoted establishment of two native trees ( Pinus strobus; Sassafras albidum). Notably, the presence of DWD halved L. maackii establishment. In identifying rodents as drivers of seed limitation, our results support findings that seed additions will likely promote woody seedling establishment when rodents are not abundant (e.g., low populations) or when seeds are physically or chemically protected (e.g., via taste deterrents). Management plans vary in DWD retention; results from our experimental cohort indicate retaining or introducing DWD promotes native tree recruitment and limits invasive shrub establishment. Future studies exploring the species-specific effects of invasive shrub removal and DWD amendments across multiple cohorts will help determine which woody species benefit most from these management practices.

Photosynthesis and shoot allocation of amur honeysuckle and two native shrubs in deep shade

Photosynthesis and shoot allocation of amur honeysuckle and two native shrubs in deep shade

High-resolution genome mapping and functional dissection of chlorogenic acid production in Lonicera maackii.

Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is a widely used medicinal plant of the Caprifoliaceae family that produces chlorogenic acid. Research on this plant mainly focuses on its ornamental value and medicinal compounds, but a reference genome sequence and molecular resources for accelerated breeding are currently lacking. Herein, Nanopore sequencing and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) allowed a chromosome-level genome assembly of Lonicera maackii (2n = 18). A global view of the gene regulatory network involved in the biosynthesis of chlorogenic acid and the dynamics of fruit coloration in L. maackii was established through metabolite profiling and transcriptome analyses. Moreover, we identified the genes encoding hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA quinate transferase (LmHQT) and hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA shikimic/quinate transferase (LmHCT), which localized to the cytosol and nucleus. Heterologous overexpression of these genes in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves resulted in elevated chlorogenic acid contents. Importantly, HPLC analyses revealed that LmHCT and LmHQTs recombinant proteins modulate the accumulation of chlorogenic acid (CGA) using quinic acid and caffeoyl CoA as substrates, highlighting the importance of LmHQT and LmHCT in chlorogenic acid biosynthesis. These results confirmed that LmHQTs and LmHCT catalyze the biosynthesis of CGA in vitro. The genomic data presented in this study will offer a valuable resource for the elucidation of CGA biosynthesis and facilitating selective molecular breeding.

Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) increases abundance and diversity of shrub-dwelling arthropods and birds in forest edge habitat

Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) increases abundance and diversity of shrub-dwelling arthropods and birds in forest edge habitat

Ecological and Soil Data Applied to Conservation Management of an Urban Forest

Urban ecosystems have great potential for urban biodiversity conservation, but achieving conservation goals relies on comprehensive ecological assessments to assist in active management practices; however, land use changes in urban ecosystems have led to unique abiotic and biotic inputs that have affected and altered below-ground soil composition, with potentially negative implications across trophic levels. We investigated the relationships between soil attributes and key indicators of forest health, specifically the composition and condition of vegetation and soils in an urban remnant forest area. The major findings revealed a dominance of native plant species, with some invasion by non-native plants, and acidic high-carbon soils sufficient in most plant available nutrients. Moreover, stepwise regression analysis showed significant relationships between soil attributes and native species diversity and abundance; prevalence of invasive plants (Lonicera maackii, Pueraria montana, Albizia julibrissin, Ligustrum sinense, Lonicera japonica, Ailanthus altissima, and Paulownia tomentosa); forest canopy gaps; and fine woody debris on the forest floor. These findings identified attributes of urban soils affecting forest health and biodiversity conservation, with broad implications for the long-term monitoring of urban forests.

The First Evidence of Gibberellic Acid's Ability to Modulate Target Species' Sensitivity to Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) Allelochemicals.

Invasive species employ competitive strategies such as releasing allelopathic chemicals into the environment that negatively impact native species. Decomposing Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) leaves leach various allelopathic phenolics into the soil, decreasing the vigor of several native species. Notable differences in the net negative impacts of L. maackii metabolites on target species were argued to depend on soil properties, the microbiome, the proximity to the allelochemical source, the allelochemical concentration, or environmental conditions. This study is the first to address the role of target species' metabolic properties in determining their net sensitivity to allelopathic inhibition by L. maackii. Gibberellic acid (GA3) is a critical regulator of seed germination and early development. We hypothesized that GA3 levels might affect the target sensitivity to allelopathic inhibitors and evaluated differences in the response of a standard (control, Rbr), a GA3-overproducing (ein), and a GA3-deficient (ros) Brassica rapa variety to L. maackii allelochemicals. Our results demonstrate that high GA3 concentrations substantially alleviate the inhibitory effects of L. maackii allelochemicals. A better understanding of the importance of target species' metabolic properties in their responses to allelochemicals will contribute to developing novel invasive species control and biodiversity conservation protocols and may contribute to applications in agriculture.

Use of invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) by native caterpillars

Use of invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) by native caterpillars

New cellular T-DNAs in naturally transgenic plants

Naturally transgenic plants represent the result of Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer. T-DNA of soil bacteria Agrobacterium integrated into plants genome is called cellular T-DNA (cT-DNA) [1]. Today, more than 50 species of naturally transgenic plants, or natural GMO (nGMO) are known [2, 3]. The function of cT-DNA in plants remains unknown. It is assumed that the fixation of transgenes could give plants different selective advantages depending on which genes had been integrated into the plant [4]. In order to clarify this issue, it is necessary to study more naturally transgenic plants. Until recently, the list of nGM plants contained less than 2 dozen species, but a search through genomic and transriptomic sequencing data made it possible to more than double this list [2]. In this work, we used the same approach, looking for cT-DNA genes in whole genome sequencing data that have appeared in the NCBI WGS since 2021. We found 14 new species of naturally transgenic plants, among which the most extended cT-DNAs were found in Triadica sebifera, Lonicera japonica, and Lonicera maackii. The cT-DNAs in these species are organized as imperfect inverted repeats. In the genomes of the species Paulownia fortunei, Apocynum venetum, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Erythroxylum havanense, E. densum, E. daphnites, E. cataractarum, Ceriops decandra, Camellia oleifera, Silene uniflora, short cT-DNAs containing only opine synthesis genes were found. We also estimated the approximate age of the cT-DNAs. The first described examples date back to the Late Paleogene, and the process continues to the present. Thus, we can conclude that natural GMOs are a widespread phenomenon, many aspects of which remain unclear, requiring additional research on the topic.
 The article was made with support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in accordance with agreement No. 075-15-2022-322 dated 22.04.2022 on providing a grant in the form of subsidies from the federal budget of the Russian Federation. The grant was provided for state support for the creation and development of a world-class scientific center, Agrotechnologies for the Future.

Whole-Genome Sequence, Assembly and Annotation of an Invasive Plant, Lonicera maackii (Amur Honeysuckle)

The invasive species Lonicera maackii (Amur Honeysuckle) is an increasing problem sweeping from the eastern United States toward the west, impacting normal forest development and animal survival across multiple taxa. Little is known about the genomics of this species, although a related invasive, Lonicera japonica, has been sequenced. Understanding the genomic foundation of the Lonicera maackii species could help us understand the biochemistry and life history that are the underpinnings of invasive success, as well as potential vulnerabilities and strengths which could guide research and development to control its spread. Here we present a draft, but high-quality, short-read whole-genome sequence, assembly, and annotation of Lonicera maackii, demonstrating that inexpensive and rapid short-read technologies can be successfully used in invasive species research. Despite being a short-read assembly, the genome length (7.93 × 108) and completeness (estimated as 90.2-92.1% by BUSCO and Merqury) are close to the previously published chromosome-level sequencing of L. japonica. No bias, by means of a Gene Ontology analysis, was identified among missing BUSCOs. A duplication of the 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase gene in both Lonicera species is identified, and the potential impact on controlling these invasive species is discussed. Future prospects for a diversity analysis of invasive species is also discussed.

Pattern of infection by honeysuckle leaf blight, a possible accumulating pathogen, on invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) shrubs in understory and open habitats

Pattern of infection by honeysuckle leaf blight, a possible accumulating pathogen, on invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) shrubs in understory and open habitats

Parasitoid Increase During an Outbreak of a Native Herbivorous Insect Following Small-scale Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) Removal

Recolonization by native species following removal of invasive plant species can often be uneven and lead to the rapid increase of one or a few native plant species. This can result in the formation of a significant resource pulse that may consequently affect populations of herbivorous species and their natural enemies. Here we present results from observations of parasitism rates during a localized outbreak of the Asimina webworm moth, Omphalocera munroei, a locally monophagous herbivore of the common paw-paw. Asimina triloba. This outbreak initiated from locations of increased understory growth of A. triloba, following the removal of Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). Parasitism rates during the outbreak reached 50%, with higher parasitism rates observed in larvae collected at the end of the local outbreak relative to those the year following the peak of the outbreak. Parasitism rates remained high 3 y after the end of the local O. munroei outbreak, indicating >7 y of high parasitoid densities. O. munroei emerges late in the growing season, making it fairly inaccessible as a host or prey to many generalist predators/parasitoids, which emerge earlier the following year. This suggests the O. munroei outbreak potentially contributed to an increase in natural enemy pressure of other native species in the community.

Herbicide control of the invasive Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) does not alter soil microbial communities or activity

Abstract Invasive plants are a major problem for land managers and have widespread and lasting environmental impacts. The invasive shrub Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii) is a pervasive and noxious plant in the Midwest region of the United States. Despite this, many land managers may be uncomfortable with herbicide control of this and other invasive plants due to unknown impacts on ecosystem components including soils. To examine if herbicide control of Amur honeysuckle impacts soil enzyme activity and soil communities, we treated Amur honeysuckle with Garlon® 4 (triclopyr) suspended in Basal Bark Oil, Basal Bark Oil alone and untreated controls, then assessed soil community, soil enzyme activity and arbuscular mycorrhizal density changes among treatments and across the subsequent growing season. We found that basal bark herbicide treatments of Amur honeysuckle do not negatively impact soil enzyme activity, nor do they impact fungal, prokaryotic or oomycotan diversity or community structure. There was a slight but likely ecologically unimportant effect on community structure associated with basal bark oil applications, but not with herbicide applications. Arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization was negatively affected by herbicide use but this is likely due to reduction in host health and/or mortality. Taken together, this suggests that herbicide control of Amur honeysuckle does not impact soils and land managers can treat these invasive plants without concern for negative soil outcomes.