Lespedeza Cuneata Research Articles

LC–MS-based chemotaxonomic classification of wild-type Lespedeza sp. and its correlation with genotype

In this study, 39 specimens belonging to Lespedeza species (Lespedeza cyrtobotrya, L. bicolor, L. maximowiczii, and Lespedeza cuneata) (Leguminosae) were classified phenotypically and genotypically. We constructed a phylogenetic tree based on the combined nrDNA (internal transcribed spacer; ITS) and cpDNA (trnL-trnF) sequences with the aim of classifying the genotypes. Samples were mainly divided into three genotypes. Samples of L. cyrtobotrya and L. bicolor were mixed in a single branch, whereas samples of L. maximowiczii and L. cuneata were clustered within species, respectively. We performed a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling analysis to classify the phenotypes. Multivariate statistical analyses such as principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) were used for the clustering pattern analysis and distance analysis between species, respectively. According to the PCA and HCA results, leaves were classified into four phenotypes according to species. In both the genetic and chemotaxonomic classification methods, the distance between L. cyrtobotrya and L. bicolor was the closest between species, and L. cuneata was the farthest away from the other three species. Additionally, orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis was employed to identify significantly different phytochemicals between species. We classified L. cyrtobotrya and L. bicolor by identifying significantly different phytochemicals. Interestingly, leaves and stems showed different phenotypic classifications based on the chemotaxonomic classification. Stem samples of the other three species were mixed regardless of species, whereas L. cyrtobotrya stem samples were clustered within species. The phenotypic classification of leaves coincided more with the genotypic classification than that of stems. Key message We classified four wild-type Lespedeza sp. by analyzing the combined nrDNA (ITS) and cpDNA (trnL-trnF) sequences. We also classified leaves and stems of Lespedeza sp. by applying liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy-based metabolite profiling.

자생식물과 생약자원 추출물의 폴리페놀, 플라보노이드 함량 및 항산화 활성 탐색

본 연구에서는 전통적으로 약으로써 이용되었거나 민간요법으로 사용되던 식물을 문헌고찰을 통해 40여종(자생식물 26종과 생약식물 14종)을 선발하여, 폴리페놀과 플라보노이드 함량 측정 및 DPPH 라디칼 소거능을 측정하였다. 자생식물인 비수리의 폴리페놀(228.90 mg/g extract)과 플라보노이드 함량(90.15 mg/g extract)이 가장 높았으며, DPPH 라디칼 소거능(75.69%)이 모두 높게 나타났다. 감나무와 관중의 폴리페놀 함량(감나무 112.98 mg/g extract, 관중 121.46 mg/g extract)과 플라보노이드 함량(감나무 46.10 mg/g extract, 관중 58.69 mg/g extract)은 높은 편은 아니었으나, DPPH라디칼 소거능은 각각 72.87%와 79.50%로 가장 높게 나타났다. 생약식물에서는 삼백초의 총 폴리페놀함량이 194.60 mg/g extract, 애엽이 203.93 mg/g extract로 폴리페놀 함량이 높았으며, DPPH 라디칼 소거능(삼백초 66.27%, 애엽 66.22%) 또한 높게 나타났다. 그러나 삼백초와 애엽을 제외한 12종류의 생약식물의 DPPH 라디칼 소거능이 50% 미만인 것으로 조사되었다. 최근에 다양한 자생식물과 약용식물의 폴리페놀, 플라보노이드 함량 및 기능성 탐색에 대한 연구가 많이 진행되고 있지만, 아직까지도 연구되지 않은 무수히 많은 식물 소재들이 많아서 지속적인 연구가 필요하다. 본 연구 결과, 그 동안 대중화 되어있지 않았던 식물 소재들의 기능성 소재로의 가능성이 새롭게 조명 될 수 있을 것으로 사료되며 이와 관련된 의약품, 미용제품 및 건강보조식품 등의 개발에 기초자료로 이용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다. 향후 본 연구에서 조사한 자생식물과 생약식물 중 총 폴리페놀함량과 플라보노이드 함량이 높고, DPPH 라디칼 소거능이 뛰어나게 나타난 몇몇 식물에 대한 심도 있는 연구가 필요할 것으로 판단된다. The purpose of this study was to investigate total polyphenols, total flavonoid, and DPPH radical scavenging activity in 26 species of Korean natural plants and 14 species of medicinal plant extracts. The plant containing the highest total polyphenols and total flavonoids were Plantago asiatica, and Lespedeza cuneata G. Don, respectively. The content of polyphenols and flavonoids in natural plants was the highest in Lespedeza cuneata G. Don, which also demonstrated high DPPH radical scavenging activity. In medicinal plant extract, Saururus chinensis (Lour.) Baill and Artemisiae Asiaticae Herba had the highest level of total polyphenols (194.60 and 203.92 mg/g extract, respectively) and DPPH radical scavenging activity. Diospyros kaki Thunb and Dryopteris crassirhizoma did not contain high levels of total polyphenols (112.98, 121.46 mg/g extract, respectively) and flavonoids (46.10, 58.69 mg/g extract respectively), but DPPH radical scavenging activity was relatively high. Further study regarding plants that exhibit higher total polyphenols, total flavonoid, and DPPH radical scavenging activity is needed.

반응표면분석법을 이용한 야관문(Lespedeza cuneata) 기능성분의 에탄올 추출조건 최적화

Abstract This study was conducted to monitor the quality characteristics of Lespedeza cuneata ethanolic extracts, by a response surface methodology. The independent variables were the extraction temperature (35～95℃), extraction time (2～10 hr), and ethanol concentration (10～90%). The coefficients of the determinations (R2) were 0.8562 (p<0.1), 0.9787 (p<0.01), and 0.8344 (p<0.1) in total polyphenol, total flavonoid, and electron donating ability, respectively. The electron donating ability and nitrite scavenging effect were improved with an increase of ethanol concentration, rather than the extraction temperature. ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) with extraction conditions was 1,636.47～2,696.99 μmoles TE/g, and was increased with the increase of extraction temperature and 40～60% of ethanol concentration. Estimated conditions for the maximized extraction including the yield, total polyphenol, electron donating ability, nitrite scavenging effect, and ORAC, were 60～68℃ in extraction temperature, 6～7 hr in extraction time, and 38～60% in ethanol concentration.Key words : Lespedeza cuneata, ethanol extract, antioxidant, optimization, RSM

하천 제방 비탈면 녹화용 자생 지피식물의 종자발아 특성에 관한 연구

To investigate the attributes of seed germination of the plants for greening of river bank slope, low-temperature treatment, chemical treatment, plant hormones treatment, and stratification were conducted using the seeds of 6 herbs growing naturally around river banks, such as Setaria glauca and faberii, Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii, Miscanthus sinensis, Pennisetum alopecuroides, Lespedeza cuneata and the seeds of 3 shrubs, such as Lespedeza bicolor., Rosa multiflora, Spiraea prunifolia for. simpliciflora. The findings are as follows. In case of herbs, Setaria glauca and faberii. have stone seeds. In the treatment with , they were germinated through dormancy breaking, even though there were some differences depending on immersion time, and the germination rate of Setaria faberii was a bit higher than that of Setaria glauca. The germination rate of Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii was low in the treatment with , NAA, and the plant hormone, but the seed germination rate has improved and the germination rate of Miscanthus sinensis and Pennisetum alopecuroides showed the improved seed germination rate in low temperature treatment. In case of Lespedeza cuneata and bicolor, the leguminous plants, the treatment with was most effective for the improvement of seed germination and the decrease in germination time. Only Spiraea prunifolia for. simpliciflora, the rose among 3 woody plants showed the seed germination rate above 50% without any additional treatment. Thus, it was thought to be appropriate for greening. Rosa multiflora showed the attribute of germination in a dark condition at low temperature through stratification, despite its low germination rate. Based on the results as above, with respect to the greening using directly collected seeds, Miscanthus sinensis, Pennisetum alopecuroides, and Spiraea prunifolia for. simpliciflora are suitable for greening, because they do not need any additional treatment, and Lespedeza cuneata and bicolor are also suitable for greening because it is possible to improve the germination rate and reduce the germination time through the treatment on the seeds before sowing.

Methane emissions by goats consuming Sericea lespedeza at different feeding frequencies

Twenty-four yearling Boer (87.5%)×Spanish wethers (32.5±0.36kg body weight) were used in a 32 d experiment to assess effects of frequency of feeding condensed tannin (CT)-containing Sericea lespedeza (SL; Lespedeza cuneata) on ruminal methane emission. Fresh SL (153g/kg CT) was fed at 1.3 times the metabolizable energy requirement for maintenance every day (1SL), other day (2SL), fourth day (4SL), and eighth day (8SL), with alfalfa (Medicago sativa) offered at the same level on other days. Ruminal fluid for microbial assays was collected 1 d after SL feeding and at the end of the feeding interval (short and long interval samples, respectively). Dry matter intake was not affected by frequency of SL feeding. Daily ruminal methane emissions increased at a decreasing rate (Linear and Quadratic; P<0.01) as frequency of SL feeding decreased (6.3, 7.4, 10.5, 12.0g/d for 1SL, 2SL, 4SL, and 8SL, respectively), but emissions on days when SL was fed were not affected by SL feeding frequency (6.3, 6.4, 6.7, 7.0g/d, respectively). There were carryover effects of feeding SL on ruminal methane emissions. For example, with 8SL ruminal methane emission did not reach a maximum until day 5–6, or 4–5 days after SL was first fed. Energy in ruminally emitted methane relative to digestible energy intake increased linearly (P<0.05) as frequency of SL feeding decreased (49, 48, 66, 81kJ/MJ for 1SL, 2SL, 4SL, and 8SL, respectively). The number of protozoa in the short interval sample was not affected by frequency of feeding SL (5.2, 5.3, 5.7, 6.5×105/ml), whereas the number in the long interval sample increased at a decreasing rate (Linear P<0.01; Quadratic P=0.02) as frequency of SL feeding decreased (6.5, 10.4, 18.4, 20.5×105/ml for 1SL, 2SL, 4SL, and 8SL, respectively). In vitro methane emissions (3 wk incubation in serum bottles for methanogens; indicative of methanogen presence and activity in ruminal fluid) were lower for short than for long samples (19.0 and 24.2ml, respectively) and increased linearly (P<0.05) as frequency of SL feeding decreased (19.3, 19.3, 23.0, 24.8 for 1SL, 2SL, 4SL, and 8SL, respectively). In conclusion, the influence of CT containing SL on ruminal methane emission was immediate and short-lived, and the effect appeared attributable to activity of methanogenic bacteria and possibly ciliate protozoa.

Flavor Compounds and Quality Parameters of Chevon As Influenced by Sericea Lespedeza Hay

This research assessed the utilization of sericea lespedeza (SL, Lespedeza cuneata ) hay, a highly condensed tannin (CT) forage (87-181 g CT/kg), as a dietary regimen of meat goats, and thereby the effects on physicochemical properties of goat meat (chevon) and flavor compounds in cooked chevon chops were evaluated. Although it is commonly believed that higher amounts of CT can have deleterious effects on animal performance due to low digestibility and low voluntary intakes in ruminants, feeding meat goats with SL hay increased the body weight compared to goats fed bermudagrass hay without altering the chemical composition and meat quality of chevon. Feeding SL hay to meat goats also did not significantly influence the flavor volatiles in cooked chevon chops. The findings indicate that SL hay can be used as a low-input forage to replace expensive forages.

In vitro anthelmintic activity of crude extracts of selected medicinal plants against Haemonchus contortus from sheep

Ethanol extracts of 25 plant species were screened for anthelmintic effects against Haemonchus contortus. Ethanol extracts of each plant were used at various concentrations (10, 20 and 30%) to treat 10-day faecal cultures, incubated at 27°C with control cultures which were treated with ethanol for 48 h. Five plants with high efficacies (Ananas comosus, Aloe ferox, Allium sativum, Lespedeza cuneata and Warburgia salutaris) were selected from the first screening for further investigation using ethanol, dichloromethane and water extracts at four concentrations (2.5, 5, 10 and 20%). Ethanol was the most effective solvent. Larval counts decreased with increasing extract concentrations, of which 10 and 20% had similar effects. Lespedeza cuneata caused more than 70% mortality at all concentrations. However, there remains a need to assess in vivo efficacy of these plants.

Effects of different fresh-cut forages and their hays on feed intake, digestibility, heat production, and ruminal methane emission by Boer × Spanish goats1

Twenty-four yearling Boer × Spanish wethers were used to assess effects of different forages, either fresh (Exp. 1) or as hay (Exp. 2), on feed intake, digestibilities, heat production, and ruminal methane emission. Treatments were: 1) Sericea lespedeza (SER; Lespedeza cuneata), a legume high in condensed tannins (CT; 20% and 15% in fresh forage and hay, respectively), 2) SER supplemented with polyethylene glycol (SER-PEG; 25 g/d), 3) alfalfa (Medicago sativa), a legume low in CT (ALF), and 4) sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor), a grass low in CT (GRASS). Experiments were 22 d, which included 16 d for acclimatization followed by a 6-d period for fecal and urine collection, and gas exchange measurement (last 2 d). Intake of OM was 867, 823, 694, and 691 g/d (SEM = 20.1) with fresh forage, and 806, 887, 681, and 607 g/d with hay for SER, SER-PEG, ALF, and GRASS, respectively (SEM = 46.6). Apparent total tract N digestion was greater for SER-PEG vs. SER (P < 0.001) with fresh forage (46.3%, 66.5%, 81.7%, and 73.2%; SEM = 1.71) and hay (49.7%, 71.4%, 65.4%, and 54.8% for SER, SER-PEG, ALF, and GRASS, respectively; SEM = 1.57). Intake of ME was similar among treatments with fresh forage (8.24, 8.06, 7.42, and 7.70 MJ/d; SEM = 0.434) and with hay was greater for SER-PEG than ALF (P < 0.03) and GRASS (P < 0.001) (8.63, 10.40, 8.15, and 6.74 MJ/d for SER, SER-PEG, ALF, and GRASS, respectively; SEM = 0.655). The number of ciliate protozoa in ruminal fluid was least for SER with fresh forage (P < 0.01) (9.8, 20.1, 21.0, and 33.6 × 10(5)/ml; SEM = 2.76) and hay (P < 0.02) (6.3, 11.4, 13.6, and 12.5 × 10(5)/ml for SER, SER-PEG, ALF, and GRASS, respectively; SEM = 1.43). Methane emission as a percentage of DE intake was lower (P < 0.01) for SER vs. ALF and GRASS with fresh forage (6.6, 8.3, 9.4, and 9.2%; SEM = 0.64) and hay (4.3, 4.9, 6.4, and 6.7% for SER, SER-PEG, ALF, and GRASS, respectively; SEM = 0.38). In summary, methane emission in this short-term experiment was similar between a legume and grass low in CT as fresh forage and hay. The CT in SER markedly decreased N digestibility and elicited a moderate decline in ruminal methane emission. Supplementation with PEG alleviated the effect of CT on N digestibility but not ruminal methane emission, presumably because of different modes of action. In conclusion, potential of using CT-containing forage as a means of decreasing ruminal methane emission requires further study, such as with longer feeding periods.

The Biology and Preliminary Host Range of Megacopta cribraria (Heteroptera: Plataspidae) and Its Impact on Kudzu Growth

The bean plataspid, Megacopta cribraria (F.), recently was discovered in the United States feeding on kudzu, Pueraria montana Lour. (Merr.) variety lobata (Willd.), an economically important invasive vine. We studied its biology on kudzu and its impact on kudzu growth. We also tested its ability to use other common forest legumes for oviposition and development. Flight intercept traps operated from 17 May 2010 to 31 May 2011 in a kudzu field near Athens, GA showed three peaks of adult flight activity suggesting there are two generations per year on kudzu. Vine samples examined for eggs from April 2010 to April 2011 and June to October 2011 showed two periods of oviposition activity in 2010, which coincided with the peaks in adult activity. In 2011, the second period of oviposition began on or before 24 June and then egg abundance declined gradually thereafter until late August when we recovered <2 eggs/0.5 m of vine. Samples of the five nymphal instars and adults on vines did not show similar trends in abundance. Adults did not lay eggs on the various legume species tested in 2010 in a no-choice test possibly because the cages were too small. In the 2011 field host range experiments conducted in a kudzu field by using 12 legume species, M. cribraria preferentially oviposited on kudzu over soybean, Glycine max Merrill., but they still laid 320 eggs per plant on soybean. Lespedeza hirta (L.) Hornem. and Lespedeza cuneata (Dum. Cours.) G. Don had 122.2 and 108.4 eggs per plant, respectively. Kudzu and soybean were the only species M. cribraria completed development on. Plots protected from M. cribraria feeding by biweekly insecticide applications had 32.8% more kudzu biomass than unprotected plots. Our results show that M. cribraria has a significant impact on kudzu growth and could help suppress this pest weed.

Effects of corn steep liquor supplementation on voluntary selection of tallgrass prairie hay contaminated with sericea lespedeza and uncontaminated tallgrass prairie hay (2012)

Introduction Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) is classified as a noxious weed throughout the Great Plains. It produces copious amounts of seed annually and contains high levels of condensed tannins during much of the growing season, which deters grazing by large domestic herbivores. In Kansas alone, this plant infests approximately 600,000 acres of native range, reducing native grass production by up to 92%. Increased grazing pressure on sericea lespedeza by beef cattle may slow its spread and facilitate some measure of biological control. Feedstuffs or feed additives with tannin-binding properties may promote voluntary consumption of this plant by grazing beef cattle.

Effects of corn steep liquor supplementation on intake and digestion of tallgrass prairie hay contaminated with sericea lespedeza (2012)

Prolific seed production, in combination with little or no grazing pressure, has contributed to the rapid spread of sericea lespedeza in the Flint Hills. Increasing grazing pressure on sericea lespedeza may reduce seed production and slow its advance; however, the presence of condensed tannins inhibit consumption by grazing animals. Reports have indicated that feed-grade polyethylene glycol may inhibit formation of tannin-protein complexes in the rumen, but beef producers have not widely adopted polyethylene glycol because, at the rates necessary to increase intake of sericea lespedeza, it is cost-prohibitive and disallowed by regulations. Therefore, identifying substances that are generally regarded as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, cost-effective, and that mitigate the consequences of consuming a diet high in tannins is advantageous. Such information could lead to a degree of biological control of this noxious weed using the most economically important grazer (i.e., beef cattle) in the Flint Hills.

Grazing sericea lespedeza for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs

Alternatives to chemical dewormers are needed to counter anthelmintic resistance and improve worm control in organic management systems. The objective was to examine the effectiveness of grazing sericea lespedeza (SL) compared with grass pastures for control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in lambs. In Experiment 1, Katahdin lambs grazed bermudagrass (BG; n=14), tall fescue (TF; n=7), or SL (n=19) pastures during early summer months. In Experiment 2, lambs grazed TF (n=15) or SL (n=13) pastures during late summer. Stocking rate of pastures was based on forage availability; additional lambs grazed pastures in Experiment 2, but were not sampled. Lambs were dewormed with 0.5g COWP if FAMACHA© score was >3. In Experiment 1, FEC were reduced within 35 days in SL compared with BG lambs (forage by time, P=0.03). The PCV was more resilient to changes over time in SL compared with other groups of lambs (forage by time, P=0.001). In Experiment 2, FEC were lower (P=0.02) and PCV tended to be higher (P=0.09) in lambs grazing SL compared with TF forage. Incidence of deworming was similar among forage groups in both experiments. Grazing SL reduced FEC in lambs in early and late summer, despite reluctance by lambs to graze. Grazing forage and selective deworming using COWP was effective in lambs.

Use of a mixed sericea lespedeza and grass pasture system for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs and kids

Because of a high prevalence of anthelmintic resistance and consumer demand for chemical free meat products, management tools to minimize the need for deworming are needed. The objective was to examine the effectiveness of grazing sericea lespedeza (SL) in a mixed grass or a pure forage system for control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN); in other words pasture systems included grass, grass plus SL, or SL alone (Experiments 2 and 3). Selective use of copper oxide wire particles (COWP) based on the FAMACHA© system was used to aid in GIN control. In Experiment 1, lambs co-grazed bermudagrass (BG; n=21) or SL in a mixed grass pasture (SLM; n=22) with dams for 14 days. In Experiment 2, lambs grazed BG (n=14), SLM (n=13), or pure SL (SLP; n=13) pastures for 56 days. In Experiment 3, doe kids grazed BG (n=12), SLM (n=13), or SLP (n=13) for 84 days. Animals were fed a 16% crude protein supplement based on NRC requirements and estimated forage quality of pastures, so that 454, 389, and 200g/lamb (Experiment 2), or 454, 300, and 150g of supplement/goat (Experiment 3) was fed to BG, SLM, and SLP, respectively. Animals were dewormed with COWP if FAMACHA© was >3. Coprocultures were conducted to identify GIN genus. In Experiment 1, FEC were reduced in lambs grazing SLM compared with BG pastures. In Experiment 2, FEC were reduced in SLP compared with BG lambs on all days, and reduced in SLM compared with BG lambs on day 56. Initially, Haemonchus contortus was the predominant nematode, but the population shifted to other species in the SL groups by the end of the study. The mean number of dewormings/lamb was 0.71, 0.20, and 0.21±0.13 for BG, SLM, and SLP groups, respectively. In goats in Experiment 3, Trichostrongylus spp. was the predominant nematode in May and June and H. contortus in July. There was little meaningful effect of forage treatments on GIN infection in kids. Because H. contortus was not the predominant nematode in kids, the integrated approaches used may not have been effective in controlling GIN. Grazing SL was effective for GIN control in lambs in early summer, but the effect was delayed in lambs grazing a mixed SL/grass pasture unless lambs initially grazed with dams. An integrated approach used that included SL grazing and COWP for deworming was effective in lambs.

The invasive Lespedeza cuneata attracts more insect pollinators than native congeners in tallgrass prairie with variable impacts

Invasive plant species can potentially exert competitive or facilitative effects on insect pollination services of native species. Factors that influence these effects include the degree of shared pollinator species, synchronous flowering phenology, similar flower morphology and color, relatedness of invasive and natives, and showiness and densities of flowers. We investigated such plant-pollinator dynamics by comparing the invasive Lespedeza cuneata and three native congeners, all sympatric with synchronous flowering, using in situ populations over 2 years during peak floral displays. Insect visitation rates of the invasive were significantly higher per plant in both years than on the native species. The invasive exerted a competitive effect on visitation of the two native species with fewer shared pollinators, and a facilitative effect on visitation of the native species with the highest degree of shared insect visitors. Positive correlations were found between floral density and visitation rate per plant in all the native species. Although no such correlation was found for the invasive, floral density in L. cuneata was at least twenty times higher than in the native species and likely saturated the response of the pollinator community. Analyses of insect visitor taxonomic data indicated the insect communities visiting each of the Lespedeza species were generally similar though with species-specific differences. The main exception was that the common honeybee, Apis mellifera, was a primary visitor to the invasive plant species, yet was never observed on the native Lespedeza species.

Experiences with integrated concepts for the control of Haemonchus contortus in sheep and goats in the United States

The generally warm, moist environmental conditions in the southern United States (U.S.) are ideal for survival and growth of the egg and larval stages of Haemonchus contortus and other gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) of sheep and goats. Consequently, infection with GIN is the greatest threat to economic small ruminant production in this region. With anthelmintic resistance now reaching epidemic proportions in small ruminants in the U.S., non-chemical control alternatives are critically needed. The Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (SCSRPC) was formed in response to this crisis and over the last decade has successfully validated the use of several novel control technologies, including FAMACHA© for the implementation of targeted selective treatments (TST), copper oxide wire particles (COWP), nematode-trapping fungi, and grazing or feeding hay of the high-tannin perennial legume sericea lespedeza [Lespedeza cuneata (Dum.-Cours. G. Don)]. Producer attitudes toward GIN control in the U.S. have been shifting away from exclusive dependence upon anthelmintics toward more sustainable, integrated systems of parasite control. Some novel control technologies have been readily adopted by producers in combination with appropriate diagnostic tools, such as FAMACHA©. Others techniques are still being developed, and will be available for producer use as they are validated. Although new drugs will likely be available to U.S. goat and sheep producers in the future, these will also be subject to development of anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, the adoption and implementation of sustainable GIN control principles will remain important. With emerging markets for grass-fed or organic livestock, there will continue to be a critical need for research and outreach on development and on-farm application of integrated GIN control systems for small ruminants in the U.S. for the foreseeable future.

Modelling the local spread of invasive plants: importance of including spatial distribution and detectability in management plans

Summary1. The success of locally applied treatments for exotic weed control depends on the effectiveness of the method used and workers’ abilities to find plants within infested sites. Detectability of exotic plants, however, depends on aspects of a plant’s spatial distribution such as the number and size of patches. We lack an explicit examination of how incomplete detection affects the spread of exotic weeds under a range of realistic field conditions.2. We developed a model of spatial spread of the exotic plant, Lespedeza cuneata, based on 3 years of data in a Kansas, USA, grassland. We then expanded and generalized the model to study how treatment intensity, spatial distribution of stems and detectability influenced control efforts.3. When left untreated, occupancy and abundance were higher with randomly distributed infestations than with patchy distributions. Control treatments slowed spread, but only the most intense treatments reduced occupancy and abundance.4. The greatest spread occurred when low detectability was accompanied with low treatment intensity because many small patches were not treated; this phenomenon was particularly common with random spatial distributions that initially lacked large, easily detectable patches. In contrast, high treatment intensity led to similarly slow spread for both spatial patterns and a range of detectability functions.5. Synthesis and applications. We developed a model to simultaneously manipulate the spatial distribution of the invading plant, the intensity of control methods used to manage the population and the detectability of occupied areas at a site; different combinations of these three factors led to very different rates of exotic spread. Managers will reasonably try to implement intensive weed control. However, poor timing of treatments, for example, could lead to variation in treatment effectiveness. To maximize success, managers should explicitly consider detectability, especially where small patches are scattered throughout a site. To quantify the probability of detection, managers could perform multiple observer surveys; such information could help to determine the effort needed for effective control. Creating weed maps may increase the detection of existing patches from year to year, but workers would still need to search the entire site for new or previously undetected patches.

Antioxidant Compounds and Antioxidant Activities of the Methanolic Extracts from Lespedeza cuneata G. Don

Lespedeza cuneata G. Don is a member of the Pea or Fabaceae family. This invasive plant has spread throughout the eastern Asia. L. cuneata is used as a medicinal herb to treat ailments such as skin ulcerations, dysentery, enteritis, and hernias (1). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant compounds and antioxidant activities of the methanolic extracts and solvent fractions from L. cuneata. To determine the antioxidant compounds in the methanolic extract and solvent fractions, the content of total polyphenol, flavonoid and tannin were measured by spectrophotometric methods. These were evaluated for antioxidative activities by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities. The yield of methanolic extracts, hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water fractions of L. cuneata were 19.52, 3.85, 21.00, 6.73, 7.31 and 61.11%, respectively. The total polyphenol, flavonoids and tannin contents of methanolic extracts on the L. cuneata were 12.44, 2.94 and 8.75mg/g extract residue, respectively. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of the methanolic extracts on the L. cuneata were 206.15 and 338.64mg Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity per g extract residue, respectively. The results of this study show that notable antioxidant activities in L. cuneata G. Don are considered to have significant health benefits.

Elevated CO 2 and plant species diversity interact to slow root decomposition

Changes in plant species diversity can result in synergistic increases in decomposition rates, while elevated atmospheric CO 2 can slow the decomposition rates; yet it remains unclear how diversity and changes in atmospheric CO 2 may interact to alter root decomposition. To investigate how elevated CO 2 interacts with changes in root-litter diversity to alter decomposition rates, we conducted a 120-day laboratory incubation. Roots from three species ( Trifolium repens, Lespedeza cuneata, and Festuca pratense) grown under ambient or elevated CO 2 were incubated individually or in combination in soils that were exposed to ambient or elevated CO 2 for five years. Our experiment resulted in two main findings: (1) Roots from T. repens and L. cuneata, both nitrogen (N) fixers, grown under elevated CO 2 treatments had significantly slower decomposition rates than similar roots grown under ambient CO 2 treatments; but the decomposition rate of F. pratense roots (a non-N-fixing species) was similar regardless of CO 2 treatment. (2) Roots of the three species grown under ambient CO 2 and decomposed in combination with each other had faster decomposition rates than when they were decomposed as single species. However, roots of the three species grown under elevated CO 2 had similar decomposition rates when they were incubated alone or in combination with other species. These data suggest that if elevated CO 2 reduces the root decomposition rate of even a few species in the community, it may slow root decomposition of the entire plant community.

Dose titration of sericea lespedeza leaf meal on Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs and kids

The objective of three experiments was to determine the impact of supplementing sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata; SL) in three concentrations in a loose or pelleted diet on gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in small ruminants. Experiments on lambs were conducted at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service in Booneville, AR (Exp. 1) and at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA (Exp. 2); an experiment on goat kids occurred at University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (Exp. 3). Exp. 1 used crossbred hair sheep lambs naturally infected with GIN that were randomly allocated to diets containing 0, 25, 50, and 75% SL diets (n=11 or 12/diet). Exp. 2 consisted of Haemonchus contortus-inoculated crossbred wool breed lambs that were blocked by gender and FEC and randomly assigned to 0, 25, 50, or 75% SL diet (n=8/diet). Fecal egg counts (FEC) and blood packed cell volume (PCV) were not influenced by SL supplementation in Exp. 1 and 2. Exp. 3 consisted of naturally GIN infected Boer crossbred goat kids in individual pens. Kids were blocked by FEC and randomly allotted to treatments of 0, 20, 40, or 60% SL with 9–13goats/diet. The more SL fed, the greater the reduction in FEC (P<0.001). There was an increase in PCV in SL fed goats (P<0.001). Larval speciation at the end of the experiment indicated that feces from control animals produced 43% H. contortus larva while 20, 40 and 60% SL resulted in 39%, 35% and 31% H. contortus larvae, respectively. Feeding dried SL may be less effective in lambs than kids, though concurrent studies must be conducted to confirm this.

Comparison of the herbivore defense and competitive ability of ancestral and modern genotypes of an invasive plant, Lespedeza cuneata

The evolution of increased competitive ability (EICA) hypothesis provides a compelling explanation for the success of invasive species. It contends that because alien plants have escaped their coevolved natural enemies, selection pressures favor a diversion of resources from herbivore defense to traits that confer increased competitive ability. Here, we provide evidence for EICA in the noxious grassland invader Lespedeza cuneata, by comparing the ancestral genotype introduced to North America in 1930 with modern‐day invasive (North American) and native (Japanese) genotypes. We found that the invasive genotype was a better competitor than either the native or the ancestral genotype. Further, the invasive genotype exhibited greater induced resistance but lower constitutive resistance than the ancestral and native genotypes. Our results suggest that selection has played a pivotal role in shaping this invasive plant species into a more aggressive, but less constitutively defended competitor.