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Identification of volatile compounds released by roots of an invasive plant, bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera spp. rotundata), and their inhibition of native seedling growth

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Abstract

Allelopathy has been suggested as a mechanism promoting the monoculture formation of some invasive exotic plants. Previous studies have shown that hydrophobic extracts of the roots and soil of exotic bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera spp. rotundata (DC.) T. Norl.) inhibited the seedling growth of five Australian native plants, including the dominant acacia (Acacia longifolia var. sophorae (Labill.) F. Muell.). Based on this finding, we compared the hydrophobic root and soil chemical profiles of bitou bush and acacia to determine whether bitou bush roots release allelopathic compounds that are novel to the invaded system. We detected three compounds that were exclusive to the bitou bush root and soil, and seven compounds that were common to the bitou bush and acacia roots but only present in the bitou bush soil. The compounds unique to the bitou bush invaded soil were all sesqui- and diterpenes. Several of these compounds were found to inhibit the seedling growth of a native sedge, Isolepis nodosa (Rott.) R. Br. Of particular interest are the sesquiterpenes: β-maaliene, α-isocomene, β-isocomene, δ-cadinene, 5-hydroxycalamenene and 5-methoxycalamenene which were found in high concentrations in the bitou bush root and soil extracts and exhibited phytotoxic activity. Therefore, we present evidence to suggest that bitou bush exudes low molecular weight volatile compounds into the soil which inhibit native plant seedling growth. The reduced establishment of native plants via allelopathy is likely to create space and contribute to the invasion of bitou bush on the eastern Australian coast.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to Julie Locke for laboratory assistance and the Hermon Slade Foundation and the Australian National Heritage Trust for funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Science, Institute for Conservation Biology and Law, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia

    E. J. Ens & K. French

  2. Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia

    J. B. Bremner & J. Korth

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  1. E. J. Ens
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  2. J. B. Bremner
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Correspondence to E. J. Ens.

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Ens, E.J., Bremner, J.B., French, K. et al. Identification of volatile compounds released by roots of an invasive plant, bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera spp. rotundata), and their inhibition of native seedling growth. Biol Invasions 11, 275–287 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-008-9232-3

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