Harvest represents a challenge for the persistence of insect-transmitted viruses in agroecosystems. To overcome this challenge, some viruses infect noncrop plants as reservoirs for future introduction to newly sown fields. The wheat dwarf disease (WDD), one of the most important viral diseases on cereals, is caused by the wheat dwarf virus (WDV) and is transmitted by the leafhopper Psammotettix alienus. To better understand the contribution of noncrop species in the epidemiology of WDD, plant-virus (i.e., infection rate of WDV-b1 and WDV-w1 isolates) and plant-vector (i.e., survival and fecundity) interactions were monitored on 20 noncrop Poaceae (NCP) species. Results showed that (i) the host range of WDV is wider than expected and (ii) NCP can be clustered according to their host quality for WDV and/or P. alienus. This suggests that NCP species contribute differentially to the maintenance of members of the WDD pathosystem. In addition, Bromus hordeaceus and Phalaris arundinacea (two species with contrasted host quality for WDV and P. alienus) were included in multihost arena experiments to assess the impact of a heterogeneous plant environment on leafhopper preferences and WDV-w1 infection. Collected data showed that P. alienus prefers B. hordeaceus (a poor efficient host for WDV) for oviposition. This could lead to a dilution of viruliferous vectors in environments containing B. hordeaceus plants as hosts for WDV-w1. While the isolate-specificity of the dilution effect cannot be excluded, this study indicates that host quality and composition of plant populations are important for maintenance of WDV and P. alienus in noncrop areas.

A Cynara cardunculus leaf extract enriched in sesquiterpene lactones (CcLERSLs) exhibited strong phytotoxic activity, notably inhibiting weed root growth. However, the poor water solubility limits practical application. This study aimed to develop and optimize an oil-in-water nanoemulsion containing CcLERSLs, using grape seed oil as carrier, and pectin and Tween®80 as emulsifiers. Ultrasound-assisted emulsification and response surface methodology were applied to optimize droplet size, stability and bioavailability. Phytotoxicity and storage stability were evaluated. Models for droplet size and zeta-potential identified ultrasound amplitude and Tween®80 content as significant variables, respectively. Model validation confirmed high predictive accuracy, particularly for droplet size, and this guided the formulation of the CcLERSLs nanoemulsion (5% w/w GSO, 4% Tween® 80, 1% pectin, 80% ultrasound amplitude). Phytotoxicity against Portulaca oleracea, Plantago lanceolata and Phalaris arundinacea showed a ≥3-fold increase in activity compared with the crude extract, particularly for root inhibition. P. oleracea was the most sensitive and the nanoemulsion outperformed the commercial herbicide at 400-800 ppm. The nanoemulsion remained physically stable at 4 and 25 °C for 90 days but degraded significantly at 45° C. Nanoemulsion formulation enhances bioavailability of the CcLERSLs and significantly improves its phytotoxic activity, supporting its potential as a promising natural herbicide. © 2026 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Abstract. Rewetting drained peatlands can reduce CO2 emissions but prevents traditional agriculture. Crop production under rewetted conditions may continue with flood-tolerant crops in paludiculture, but its effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to rewetting without further management are largely unknown. This study was conducted between 2021 and 2022 on a fen peatland in central Denmark established with Phalaris arundinacea L. (Reed Canary Grass) in 2018. Three harvest/fertilization management treatments (0, 2, and 5-cut) were applied with the 2-cut and 5-cut treatments receiving 200 kg N ha−1 yr−1 in equal split doses, whereas the 0-cut remained unfertilized. Measurements of CO2 and CH4 emissions were conducted biweekly under four different light intensities using a manual chamber connected to a gas analyzer. Although the mean annual water table depth (WTD) was −8 cm, indicating a rather wet peatland, the site remained a CO2 source with a mean net ecosystem C balance (NECB) of 6.6 t C ha−1 yr−1 across treatments. Methane emissions averaged 90 kg CH4-C ha−1 yr−1, equivalent to 11.7 % of NECB given as CO2 equivalents. Results showed that management marginally increased biomass production reflected by more negative gross primary productivity (GPP) in 2-cut and 5-cut compared to 0-cut. No significant treatment effect was found on NECB due to field heterogeneity reflected by differences in pore water nutrient concentrations and WTD dynamics among the studied blocks, with higher Reco corresponding to blocks where higher pore water nutrient concentrations were observed. The results indicated that GHG emissions might potentially be reduced when the biomass is harvested from the more productive peatland area in comparison with no management, whereas on the less productive area it might be beneficial to leave the biomass unmanaged. Model simulation of ecosystem respiration (Reco) using WTD data of high temporal resolution captured the variability better as compared to the use of mean annual WTD, which underestimated Reco by 18 % on average compared to the hourly WTD model. Data on pore water chemistry further improved statistical linear models of CO2 fluxes using soil temperature (Ts), WTD, ratio vegetation index (RVI) and photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) as explanatory variables. Overall, from a climate perspective the study supported biomass production compared to no management activity in rewetted fertile peatlands.

Phytomining of rare earth elements using native hyperaccumulator plants and surface soils from Idaho, USA.

Abstract Our research in Slovakia identified key plant species that support nesting by the Eurasian harvest mouse ( Micromys minutus ) in field-edge and mar­ginal habitats. Nests were most often found in couch grass ( Elymus repens ), reed canary grass ( Phalaris arundinacea ), blackthorn ( Prunus spinosa ) and bramble ( Rubus plicatus ). They were typically circle and oval and located in the middle part of the plant, with nest height depending on the height of the vegetation. Nest density varied greatly between sites and years, ranging from 1 to 3 nests/ha to over 270 nests/ha. The highest values were recorded in the Košická kotlina basin, such as 279.4 nests/ha in Košice part Šebastovce (Line 1) in 2021. These findings suggest that well-structured edge habitats can support high harvest mouse densities and play a key role in species conservation.

ABSTRACT Flooding is a critical driver of wetland plant growth. However, studies still often consider water depth or submergence duration in isolation. This limits our understanding of how hydrological variation affects plant performance. To address this, we have introduced cumulative emergence height (CEH) as a novel integrative parameter. This is defined as the product of emergence height above the water surface and the duration of emergence and quantifies the combined influence of hydrological exposure on wetland vegetation. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of CEH in predicting biomass accumulation and physiological responses of wetland plants under flood conditions. We investigated four dominant wetland species ( Phragmites australis , Persicaria hydropiper , Phalaris arundinacea and Carex brevicuspis ) in the Dongting Lake floodplain under four water levels (−30, 0, 30 and 60 cm) and three time points (45, 90 and 135 days). We measured aboveground and belowground biomass, leaf area, chlorophyll a and b concentration and nitrogen and phosphorus concentration. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS‐PM) was used to explore direct and indirect relationships between CEH and plant traits. Biomass and leaf area were significantly positively correlated with CEH, while chlorophyll and nitrogen concentrations showed negative correlations. CEH promoted biomass accumulation by increasing leaf area and individual number, and by reducing nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations. Species showed contrasting strategies: P. australis and P. hydropiper maintained consistent biomass growth, while P. arundinacea and C. brevicuspis peaked and declined under prolonged submergence. CEH effectively integrates flood depth and duration into a single, ecologically meaningful parameter. It is a useful predictor of plant growth and physiological responses under dynamic flood conditions in the Dongting Lake wetland. As the study was limited to four species from a single wetland system, the findings apply primarily to similar ecological contexts.

Ensuring the safety and quality of Phalaris arundinacea silage: The role of wilting and lactic acid bacteria

In recent years, second-generation perennial energy grasses have gained attention for their potential role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the possible health risks associated with their large-scale cultivation remain insufficiently addressed. This paper presents a narrative literature review of the potential allergenic effects of the main perennial grass energy crops (Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Miscanthus × giganteus, Arundo donax), with Zea mays used as a reference first-generation energy crop. A structured search was conducted in major electronic databases using predefined keywords related to bioenergy crops, pollen dispersal, and allergenicity. The search identified a wide body of literature on crop biology and bioenergy potential, but only a limited number of studies addressed allergenic outcomes directly. The evidence suggests that, except for P. arundinacea, most second-generation grasses are late-flowering species. If cultivated on a larger scale near urban centers, these crops could alter the seasonal pattern of allergenic pollen exposure by shifting the allergic burden toward the late growing season (August-October). While the expected overall impact on the annual pollen load appears modest-potentially reducing the June peak typical for Europe while slightly increasing exposure later in the season-these changes warrant consideration in land-use and public health planning.

Synergistic optimization of bioretention cells for antibiotic removal and denitrification by iron-copper bimetallic catalytic system with Phalaris arundinacea.

Peatlands lose their valuable carbon (C) sink function under intensive land use and turn into greenhouse gas (GHG) emission hotspots. Despite scarce empirical evidence, paludiculture is expected to have significant GHG mitigation potential for organic soils. This study provides the first comprehensive dataset on full GHG balances for newly established fen paludicultures over a water table (WT) gradient spanning an annual mean WT of -0.29 to +0.04 m, stratified into moderately rewetted conditions (-0.30 < WT < -0.10 m) and rewetted conditions (WT ≥ -0.10 m). We used manual and novel automated chambers to measure annual carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide emissions from five typical fen plant species (Carex acutiformis, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, and Typha latifolia) newly established as peatland biomass crops in three temperate fen peatlands in southern Germany. Our study confirms a significant GHG mitigation potential for the tested plant species and found a C sink function of paludiculture. The results yield preliminary emission factors of -0.1 and -12.0 t CO2-equivalents ha-1 year-1 under moderately rewetted conditions (n = 39) and under rewetted conditions (n = 43), respectively. We further identify an optimal annual mean WT of -0.07 m for maximizing GHG reduction across all plant species and sites with a net C sink achieved at a mean annual WT of ≥ -0.12 m. Presuming the conversion of arable land into paludiculture, a mitigation potential of up to -51.9 t CO2-equivalents is attainable per hectare and year. These findings highlight that well-managed paludiculture could make a considerable contribution toward achieving the politically targeted CO2 sink function in the LULUCF sector.

Characterizing the Niche of Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canarygrass) in Floodplain Forests of the Upper Mississippi River

Biodiversity loss and increasing extreme weather events disrupt the functioning of ecosystems and thus their ability to provide services. While the interplay among various climatic constraints, diversity and productivity has received increasing attention in the last decades, the role of flooding has been overlooked. In a greenhouse experiment, we manipulated species richness and water regimes to evaluate the influence of flooding on species diversity-productivity relationships. We measured biomass production and partitioned net biodiversity effects into complementarity and selection effects. To link changes in biodiversity effects to underlying mechanisms, we evaluated the contribution of species richness, species identity, functional diversity and community-level traits. Under flooding, biomass production decreased, and biodiversity effects were less frequently positive. By reducing the incidence of positive complementarity effects, flooding promoted a preponderance of selection effects. Flooding further favored competitive displacement by Phalaris arundinacea; balanced contributions to selection effects from all functional groups at field capacity subsided under flooding when P. arundinacea became the single dominant species. As a result, its acquisitive leaf trait attributes contributed more to selection effects and biomass production under flooding, while root traits contributed less to complementarity effects at field capacity. As an environmental stressor, flooding promoted the dominance of tolerant species and reduced the incidence of complementary species interactions in the experimental plant communities, clearly modulating the linkage between diversity and productivity.

Environmentally friendly and low-emission extraction methods are needed to meet worldwide rare earth element (REE) demand. Within a greenhouse setting, this study aims to investigate the REE hyperaccumulation ability of four plant species (e.g., Phalaris arundinacea, Solanum nigrum, Phytolacca americana, and Brassica juncea) and the impact of amending REE-rich soil with biochar or fertilizer and watering with citric acid solution. Harvested samples were pyrolyzed, and the resulting bio-ores were acid-digested and underwent elemental analysis to determine REE content. Amending soil with fertilizer and biochar increased bio-ore production, while plant species explained the most variation in bioaccumulation factor. The results indicate that Phalaris arundinacea achieved the highest average REE concentration of 27,940 µg/g for the targeted REEs (comprising cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, and yttrium) and 37,844 µg/g for total REEs. It is also found that soil amendment and plant species are critical parameters in the design and implementation of Idaho-based REE phytomining operations. The life cycle assessment study estimated that the electricity demand of the greenhouse contributed the most to GHG emissions during the greenhouse study. Within the field study, electricity demand of the pyrolysis reactor was determined to be the largest producer of GHGs. The techno-economic analysis estimated that the total cost of growing P. arundinacea for six weeks on a one-acre field area is USD 6213, including 39%, 22%, 21%, and 18% of that cost derived from cultivation, biomass processing, soil treatment with fertilizer, and pyrolysis, respectively. It is concluded that the proposed low-emission extraction pathway, which combines phytomining, drying, and pyrolysis, is a promising sustainable approach for REE extraction, especially from REE-rich soil sourced in Idaho.

Having analyzed the collection samples of ornamental cereal plants of the State Dendrological Park "Olexandria" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Bila Tserkva and the Botanical Garden of BNAU, we found that for compositional solutions of the formation of landscape space of territories with the function of nature therapy, the following artistic and decorative principles of selection should be taken into account: plant height (low-growing, medium-growing, "giant" grasses), inflorescence size (short, long), leaf color (gray, green, with variegated leaves, with white longitudinal stripes, with yellow-green longitudinal stripes, with transverse stripes of different widths, red), inflorescence color (green, straw-yellow, silvery, purple), pink. Based on the results of studying the decorative features of ornamental cereal plants and their impact on improving emotional state, reducing stress and creating a harmonious and calming environment for visitors, we propose using ornamental cereal plants for compositional solutions of landscape and architectural spaces with peri-natural functions, which will bring a sense of peace and harmony. After analyzing the collection samples of ornamental cereal plants from the State Dendrological Park “Alexandria” of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Bila Tserkva and the Botanical Garden of the BNAU, it was established that for compositional solutions for the formation of landscape space in areas with a nature therapy function, the following artistic and decorative principles of selection should be taken into account: plant height (low-growing, medium-growing, “giant” grasses), inflorescence size (short, long, and those that do not form or rarely form inflorescences), leaf color (blue, green, variegated leaves with white longitudinal stripes, with yellow-green longitudinal stripes, with transverse stripes of various widths, red), inflorescence color (green, straw-yellow, silvery, pink, purple). Based on the research results of decorative features of ornamental cereals and their impact on improving emotional state, reducing stress, and creation a harmonious and calming environment for visitors, we suggest using ornamental grasses for landscape and architectural space design solutions with nature therapy functions, which will bring a sense of peace and harmony. Compositions involving ornamental grasses should be formed from massive plantings of one or several species, with color being secondary in importance to the texture and shape of these arrays. We suggest using the following species: Festuca glauca, Helictotrichon sempervirens (Vill.) Pilg.), Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng., Cortaderia selloana, Phalaris arundinacea L., Calamagrostis acutiflora (Schrad.) DC. ‘Avalanche’, Alopecurus pratensis L. ‘Aureovariegatus’, Miscanthus sinensis Anderss. 'Strictus' and ‘Zebrinus’, Imperata cylindric, Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth., Miscanthus sacchariflorus (Maxim.) Hack., Stipa capillata, Eragrostis spectabilis (Pursh) Steud. ‘Purple Love’, Pennisetum glaucum R.Br. ‘Purple Baron’. Key words: ornamental cereals, nature therapy, landscape architecture space.

Wetland vegetation is vital for ecological purification and climate mitigation. This study analyzes the spatiotemporal characteristics and influencing factors of water areas, fractional vegetation cover (FVC), and land use types in Poyang Lake wetland across wet and dry seasons (1990–2022) using remote sensing technology. The results showed that the water area remained overall stable during the wet seasons but decreased significantly in the dry seasons (19.27 km2/a). FVC exhibited an overall increasing trend, with vegetation expanding from lake margins to central areas. The land use areas of shallow water, bare ground, and Phalaris arundinacea–Polygonum hydropiper (P. arundinacea–P. hydropiper) communities showed interannual fluctuating decreases, while other land use types areas increased. From 1990 to 2020, land use changes were mainly characterized by the transformation of shallow water into deep water and bare ground, other vegetation into Carex cinerascens (C. cinerascens) community and bare ground, bare ground into deep water, as well as P. arundinacea–P. hydropiper community to C. cinerascens community. Rising temperatures enhanced FVC in both seasons, stimulated the expansion of C. cinerascens community area and total vegetation area, and reduced the dry season water area. Decreasing accumulated precipitation exacerbated water area loss and the decline of P. arundinacea–P. hydropiper communities. These findings provide critical insights for wetland ecological conservation and sustainable management.

ABSTRACT Aquatic ecosystems face significant challenges globally from cyanobacterial blooms. Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass) is used in artificial wetlands and found in natural wetlands. We investigated whether allelochemicals released from Phalaris root exudates inhibit Microcystis aeruginosa growth. We conducted experiments to disentangle the effect of the root exudates from living plants on resource competition and the potential role of microbiota in controlling Microcystis growth. We found that allelochemicals from root exudates and their inhibitory effect decayed over time. Results from filtration experiments and microscopic observations indicated that the removal of microorganisms (≥0.22 µm) allowed the growth of Microcystis, suggesting that protists and rotifers may control Microcystis growth. We also tested commercial allelochemicals at environmentally relevant concentrations (≤1000 µg L−¹) against Microcystis. Concentrations of 1000 µg L−¹ of anthraquinone, gallic acid, gramine, hordenine, linoleic acid, naringuin, stigmasterol, tannic acid, 4-nitroindol-5-carboxaldehyde, and a mixture of the 9 allelochemicals inhibited Microcystis growth (≥87%). The minimum effective concentration was determined to be 100 µg L−¹ for most allelochemicals, except for anthraquinone, which had a hormetic effect of stimulating Microcystis growth by up to 70% compared to the controls. Our findings indicate that allelochemicals could be used to control Microcystis, but it is essential to establish the minimum effective allelochemical inhibitory concentrations from biofilters, wetlands, or macrophytes to assess their potential for managing Microcystis, other cyanobacteria, and microalgae. The increasing global use of artificial wetlands to control cyanobacterial blooms justifies further investigation into critical allelochemical concentrations, including decay trends over time and hormetic effects that occur in wetlands.

Abstract Carbon isotopes of long chain n‐alkanes and plant leaves record biochemical processes and plant responses to environmental factors. We analyzed seasonal variations of δ13Cn‐alkane and δ13C/δ15Nleaf of two riparian gymnosperm trees (Pinus strobus and Tsuga canadensis) and an angiosperm shrub and grass (Corylus americana and Phalaris arundinacea) to quantify carbon isotope discrimination between atmospheric, bulk leaf, and n‐alkane δ13C. Our data highlight three important results: (a) δ13C leaf and δ13Cn‐alkane decrease over the growing season for several of the sampled plants and the magnitude of change is largest in the angiosperm C. americana, (b) apparent fractionation between δ13Cn‐C29 and δ13Cleaf (εn‐C29‐leaf) for gymnosperm trees is small (−2 to −3 ‰) and changes little through the growing season, and (c) angiosperm grass and shrubs exhibit variable discrimination (ε) throughout the growing season (−4 to −10‰). εn‐C29‐leaf correlates with leaf C:N and δ15Nleaf, and differences in εn‐C29‐leaf likely result from differences in stomatal regulation, plant stoichiometry, and the distribution of compounds in leaves and above or below ground biomass. In some of the plants sampled, end of growing season δ13C of intact leaves are distinct from early or mid‐season values, whereas detrital n‐alkane δ13C records the season‐long time‐integrated history of production, loss and replacement of riparian‐produced n‐alkanes. Thus, although biomarker and bulk leaf δ13C may record pCO2 or water stress, isotopic signatures of sedimentary n‐alkanes may also reflect changes in plant resource allocation and the integrated record of isotopic change across a growing season.

ABSTRACTWind wave is a significant hydrodynamic factor in Poyang Lake, affecting the stability of the lake ecosystem. However, the processes and mechanisms by which it drives biodiversity patterns in ecological transition zones are not clear. This study delves into the intricate relationship between wind wave characteristics and the biodiversity of vegetation within the lake's ecological transition zone during the normal water level period from October to March in 2018–2019 and provides novel insights into the oscillation cycles of wind wave indexes and their influence on vegetation patterns. The main findings were as follows: (1) a cyclical trend occurred in wave height (WVH), wavelength (WVL) and shoreline flushing distance (FLD), with distinct oscillation periods and energy centres, notably a 47‐day primary oscillation for WVH and WVL, and 40 days for FLD. It underscored the dynamic nature of wind wave interactions and their potential to shape the lake's ecological landscape. (2) Species richness increased from grasslands to ecological transition zones, dominated by Carex cinerascens, Phragmites communis and Triarrhena lutarioriparia, then declined towards water areas where Phalaris arundinacea and Gnaphalium affine became key species. (3) The biodiversity indexes (Shannon Diversity Index [SHDI], Modified Simpson Diversity Index [MSIDI]) and the evenness indexes (Shannon Evenness Index [SHEI], Modified Simpson Evenness Index [MSIEI]) reached the highest in the ecological transition zone and the lowest in the grassland, indicating the importance of these areas for species diversity. (4) There was a positive correlation between wind wave‐induced shoreline flushing distance and vegetation height and coverage. This relationship was further linked to significant regulatory effects on vegetation richness, inversely affecting the size of vegetation diversity and evenness. Our findings highlight the complex trade‐offs between vegetation richness and evenness/diversity, providing a foundation for future ecological restoration and conservation efforts. It not only contributes to the scientific understanding of the Poyang Lake ecosystem but also offers strategic insights for sustainable ecosystem management.

Influence of Light Availability and Water Depth on Competition Between Phalaris Arundinacea and Herbaceous Vines

The frequent occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms poses severe threats to the global environment and to local human health. Therefore, it is vital to develop effective methods to control blooms. Phalaris arundinacea, a dominant hygrophyte in the Lake Poyang wetland, decomposes when submerged during high-water-level periods. Through indoor cultivation experiments, we examined the effects of crude aqueous, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and petroleum ether extracts of P. arundinacea on the growth of typical harmful bloom-forming cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa and Dolichospermum flos-aquae). The results revealed that the crude aqueous extract of P. arundinacea significantly inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa and D. flos-aquae, with average inhibition rates of 86.77 per cent and 80.08 per cent, respectively. The inhibitory effect generally increased with time and dose, with maximum inhibition rates of 99.15 per cent for M. aeruginosa and 97.27 per cent for D. flos-aquae. P. arundinacea crude extracts obtained with ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and petroleum ether reduced the cell density and chlorophyll a concentration of M. aeruginosa. Among the extracts, the petroleum ether extract had the strongest inhibitory effect. Generally, the inhibition rates of these three crude organic solvent extracts peaked on Day 8 or Day 12 of the experiment. The results confirmed that P. arundinacea, a dominant hygrophyte in Lake Poyang, has significant potential for controlling harmful cyanobacterial blooms through the release of allelochemicals and likely plays an important role in this process in summer. Therefore, this study offers novel insights and materials for the prevention and management of cyanobacterial blooms in the future.