The competition between Bidens pilosa and Setaria viridis alters soil microbial composition and soil ecological function

Bidens pilosa is recognized as one of the major invasive plants in China.Its invasion has been associated with significant losses in agriculture,forestry,husbandry,and biodiversity.Soil ecosystems play an important role in alien plant invasion.Microorganisms within the soil act as intermediaries between plants and soil ecological functions,playing a role in regulating soil enzyme activities and nutrient dynamics.Understanding the interactions between invasive plants,soil microorganisms,and soil ecological processes is vital for managing and mitigating the impacts of invasive species on the environment.In this study,we conducted a systematic analysis focusing on B.pilosa and Setaria viridis,a common native companion plant in the invaded area.To simulate the invasion process of B.pilosa,we constructed homogeneous plots consisting of B.pilosa and S.viridis grown separately as monocultures,as well as in mixtures.The rhizosphere and bulk soils were collected from the alien plant B.pilosa and the native plant S.viridis.In order to focus on the soil ecological functional mechanisms that contribute to the successful invasion of B.pilosa,we analyzed the effects of B.pilosa on the composition of soil microbial communities and soil ecological functions.The results showed that the biomass of B.pilosa increased by 27.51% and that of S.viridis was significantly reduced by 66.56%.The organic matter contents in the bulk and rhizosphere soils of B.pilosa were approximately 1.30 times those in the native plant soils.The TN and NO_(3)^(-)contents in the rhizosphere soil of B.pilosa were 1.30 to 2.71 times those in the native plant soils.The activities of acid phosphatase,alkaline phosphatase,and urease in the rhizosphere soil of B.pilosa were 1.98-2.25 times higher than in the native plant soils.Using high-throughput sequencing of the16S rRNA gene,we found that B.pilosa altered the composition of the soil microbial community.Specifically,many genera in Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were enriched in B.pilosa soils.Further correlation analyses verified that these genera had significantly positive relationships with soil nutrients and enzyme activities.Plant biomass,soil p H,and the contents of organic matter,TN,NO_(3)^(-),TP,AP,TK,and AK were the main factors affecting soil microbial communities.This study showed that the invasion of B.pilosa led to significant alterations in the composition of the soil microbial communities.These changes were closely linked to modifications in plant traits as well as soil physical and chemical properties.Some microbial species related to C,N and P cycling were enriched in the soil invaded by B.pilosa.These findings provide additional support for the hypothesis of soil-microbe feedback in the successful invasion of alien plants.They also offer insights into the ecological mechanism by which soil microbes contribute to the successful invasion of B.pilosa.Overall,our research contributes to a better understanding of the complex interactions between invasive plants,soil microbial communities,and ecosystem dynamics.

Antidiabetic Properties of Bidens pilosa and Its Polyacetylenic Compounds for Management of Diabetes: Systematic Review

Bidens pilosa is a member of the Asteraceae family that is widely distributed across the tropics. It has been utilized by different communities both as food and medicinal herb. This plant and its polyacetylenic compounds hold potential as a natural antidiabetic intervention that can be used to combat this global public health problem. Bioactive compounds found in this plant constitute promising interventions for combating obesity which is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. These phytocompounds can work independently or synergistically to modulate appetite, lipase activity, adipogenesis and adipocyte apoptosis. However, the efficacy, mode of action and scope of management of diabetes by these compounds remains elusive. The current review aims to summarize data on efficacy in the management of diabetes, an antidiabetic candidate polyacetylenic compound and possible biological activities as an antidiabetic agent from the available literature. Much emphasis has been directed to cytopiloyne as a representative of polyacetylenic compounds extracted from Bidens pilosa and its activity on diabetic animal models. The majority of the studies conducted on animal models described antidiabetic mechanisms that range from hypoglycemic to secretagogue activity of cytopiloyne in a dose-dependent manner. A clinical trial pilot indicated improved glycemic control of Bidens pilosa formulation among diabetic patients in the study. Bidens pilosa and its compounds are highly potent antidiabetic agent(s) that should be graduated to an intervention for management of diabetes through pre-clinical and clinical trials to elucidate its efficacy and safety.

Comparison on the phytoextraction efficiency of Bidens pilosa at heavy metal contaminated site in natural and electrokinetic conditions

The plant samples of Bidens pilosa were collected from a coal gangue vacant site and its surrounding area,located in central China,to study the remediation effect of the plant species on heavy metal(HM)contamination in both natural and electrokinetic(EK)conditions.The analytical results showed that the effect of phytoextraction and bioconcentration on the heavy metals in the sample of the EK group is more significant than those in the other control group.Compared with the results of natural condition,under the EK condition the concentrations of cadmium(Cd),lead(Pb),copper(Cu)and zinc(Zn)in the stems and leaves of the Bidens pilosa increased to 0.40 mg/kg,4.23 mg/kg,7.27 mg/kg,830.24 mg/kg,respectively,with their increments of 292%,1731%,141%,2076%.For root samples,the Cd,Pb,Cu and Zn concentrations increased to 0.52 mg/kg,4.36 mg/kg,10.87 mg/kg,and 98.12 mg/kg and the increase rates were 1034%,140%,29%,and 181%,respectively.The phytoextraction efficiency of the Bidens pilosa was significantly higher than that of control group.The removal efficiency of Cd,Pb,Cu and Zn in soil increased to 26%,72%,27%,and 79%with the EK applied.In addition,the mechanism of HM migration,extraction and enrichment in Bidens pilosa under the EK condition was discussed.

Assessment of in Situ Anthelminthic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Bidens pilosa against Adult’s Gastro-Intestinal Strongyle of Small Ruminants

Infections caused by gastrointestinal nematodes are major threats to livestock industry in the developing countries. They cause direct effects in form of loss in production and indirect economic losses due to high cost of anthelmintic drugs. Various alternative strategies are in practice to control parasitism which includes the usage of medicinal plants. This study evaluates the in situ anthelminthic activity of Bidens pilosa ethanolic extract on gastro-intestinal strongyles of small ruminants. Twenty (20) naturally infested goats of both sexes were distributed into 5 groups (n = 4) corresponding to groups receiving Tween 80 at 2.8%, Albendazole at 5 mg/kg and the three doses of extract (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg). The doses of extract and 2.8% Tween 80 were administered twice daily for 3 consecutive days while Albendazole was administered in a single dose. Faecal eggs count reduction, body weight, packed cell volume (PCV) and total worm count reduction were determined. Results showed that the ethanolic extract of B. pilosa was not effective against adult worms while Albendozole inflicted a 100% reduction of eggs count and total worm count of digestive strongyle. Body weight and PCV remain almost constant. This study indicates that ethanolic extract of B. pilosa at tested doses has no anthelminthic activity. However, further optimization and standardization of the ethanolic extract of B. pilosa could enhance its anthelminthic activity.

Allelopathic Potentials of Some Crop Residues on the Germination and Growth of Bidens pilosa. L.

The allelopathic potentials of the aqueous extracts of rice husk and sorghum stem were examined on the germination and growth ofBidens pilosa. L. The extracts inhibited the germination ofB. pilosa seeds and the growth lengths of its radicle and plumule. In both extracts, the severity of the inhibition increased with the increase in the concentrations of the extracts, indicating that the effects of the extracts were concentration dependent. The results obtained also showed that the degree of retardation appeared to be more pronounced in the rice husks extract-treated seeds than those of sorghum extract-treated seeds. However there were no significant differences （at 5% level） in the comparison of the degree of inhibitions of radicle and plumule growths at the varying extract concentrations as well as those of the control in both extracts treated seeds.

Anti-Acute Fatigue Effects of Ethanol Extract of Bidens pilosa L.and the Profiling of Antioxidant Index in ICR Mice

The effects of ethanol extract of Bidens pilosa L.(EEB)on acute exercise fatigue and its underlying biochemical mechanism were investigated in this study.Sixty adult male ICR mice were divided into control,model,vitamin C(VC)100,EEB40,EEB80,and EEB160 groups,receiving VC(100 mg/kg)or EEB(40,80,160 mg/kg)for 28 days(intragastrically,I.G.).The mice underwent tailsuspension,elevated plus maze(EPM),rotarod,and loaded swimming tasks and biochemical indices were measured.There were no significant differences in body weight,tail suspension time,EPM open arm time/entries and serum cortisone levels among the groups.Compared with the model group,there was an increase in rotarod latency in the VC100/EEB80 groups and an increase in loaded swimming time in the EEB80/EEB160 groups.Furthermore,the haptic and muscle glycogen levels decreased in the model group,while the haptic glycogen levels increased in the all VC/EEB groups.Similarly,the serum lactate and creatinine levels increased in the model group,but decreased in lactate(except for EEB160),creatinine(except for EEB40)and lactate dehydrogenase in the EEB80 group.In the liver,malonaldehyde(MDA)and oxidized glutathione(GSSG)levels increased in the model group;however,glutathione reductase(GR)(except for EEB40),glutathione(GSH)and GSH/GSSG ratios increased,with GSSG levels decreasing in all VC/EEB groups.In the quadriceps,the GR levels increased in the model,whereas it decreased in the VC100,EEB40 and EEB80 groups.These results suggest that EEB has anti-acute fatigue effect,potentially attributed to mitigate metabolite accumulation,enhancing glycogen reserves,and fortifying the antioxidant mechanism.

Flavonoids from the herb of Bidens pilosa L.

Chemical constituents of the whole herb of Bidens pilosa L. were investigated. By using various column chromatography （CC） and spectroscopic methods, 13 flavonoids were isolated and identified as follows： 2′-hydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxy-chalcone （1）, isoliquiritigenin （2）, 3,2′,4′-trihydroxy-4-methoxy-chalcone （3）, licochalcone A （4）,4′-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-2′,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-chalcone （5）, butein （6）, apigenin （7）, luteolin （8）, diosmetin （9）, chrysoeriol （10）, 3,5,6,7,3′,4′,5′-heptamethoxyflavone （11）, 7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyt-5,3′dihydroxy-3,6,4′-trimethoxyfiavone （12）, sulfuretin （13）. Compounds 1-5, 9, 11 were obtained from the genus Bidens for the first time.

Weed Interference in the Morphophysiological and Nutritional Characteristics of Erva-Mate(Ilex paraguariensis)

The erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) represents an alternative crop for agricultural exploitation in South Brazilian farms with potential to export the harvested product. However, there is scarce information about the interference caused by weeds on this crop. The objective of this work was to evaluate the interference of weed species on the morphophysiological and nutritional characteristics of erva-mate. The experiment was installed in greenhouse at the Federal University of Fronteira Sul (UFFS), Campus Erechim/RS, Brazil, in randomized blocks design, arranged in a 4 × 6 factorial scheme, with four replications. In factor A, weed species (Urochloa plantaginea—Alexandergrass, Bidens pilosa—Hairy beggarticks, Ipomoea indivisa—Morning glory and Conyza bonariensis—Hairy fleabane) were allocated, and in B the populations of these species competing with the erva-mate (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 plants per pot) were considered. The variables evaluated in erva-mate were sub-stomatal CO2 concentration, photosynthetic rate, CO2 consumed, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, water use efficiency, height, stem diameter, leaf area and shoot dry mass. Concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were also evaluated. Overall, all weed species and densities among the tested ones harmed the development of erva-mate plants, which was considered as low competitive with weeds.

重度干旱降低两种菊科入侵植物凋落物共同降解的速率

当前,中国已分布的入侵植物隶属于菊科的种类数量最多。更关键的是,两种入侵植物可以在同一生境中形成共同入侵。此外,干旱可以影响入侵植物的凋落物降解和土壤酶活性。基于此,本研究旨在解析干旱背景下两种菊科入侵植物鬼针草(Bidens pilosa)和加拿大一枝黄花(Solidago canadensis)对凋落物降解和土壤酶活性的单一影响和复合影响。本研究主要通过聚乙烯凋落袋实验完成,其中每一个凋落袋装入5 g入侵植物鬼针草的凋落物,或装入5 g入侵植物加拿大一枝黄花的凋落物,或装入5 g两种菊科入侵植物鬼针草和加拿大一枝黄花等比例混匀的凋落物。干旱处理水平设置为:对照、轻度干旱和重度干旱。实验结束后测定两种菊科入侵植物凋落物单一降解速率和共同降解速率以及土壤酶活性。两种菊科入侵植物凋落物共同降解对土壤脲酶活性的影响为叠加效应。两种菊科入侵植物凋落物共同降解速率以及入侵植物鬼针草凋落物单一降解速率显著高于入侵植物加拿大一枝黄花凋落物单一降解速率。轻度干旱显著增加土壤脲酶活性,但重度干旱显著降低土壤脲酶活性。重度干旱显著降低两种菊科入侵植物凋落物共同降解速率以及入侵植物鬼针草凋落物单一降解速率,但干旱处理未显著影响入侵植物加拿大一枝黄花凋落物单一降解速率。因此,重度干旱可能通过减缓营养循环速率显著影响两种菊科入侵植物共同入侵进程以及入侵植物鬼针草单一入侵进程,但并未显著影响入侵植物加拿大一枝黄花单一入侵进程。

Current plant diversity but not its soil legacy influences exotic plant invasion

Current plant diversity can influence exotic plant invasion,but it is unclear whether there is a legacy effect of plant diversity on exotic plant invasion.As plant diversity can affect soil microbial communities and physio-chemical properties,which may cascade to impact subsequent exotic plant growth,we hypothesize that the soil legacy effect of plant diversity can influence exotic plant invasion.We conducted a plant–soil feedback experiment.In the conditioning phase,we trained soils by monocultures of 12 plant species from three functional groups(4 grasses,3 legumes and 5 forbs)and mixtures of 8 randomly selected species with all three functional groups from this 12-species pool.In the test phase,we grew the invasive plant Bidens pilosa with a co-occurring native grass(Arthraxon hispidus),with a co-occurring native forb(Pterocypsela indica)or with both in each type of the conditioned soils.The performance of B.pilosa relative to its native competitors varied depending on the functional type of both conditioning plant species in the conditioning phase and competing plant species in the test phase.Diversity of the conditioning plants did not influence the growth difference between B.pilosa and its native competitors.However,increasing diversity of the competing plant species reduced the performance of B.pilosa relative to its native competitors.Our results suggest that current plant diversity can reduce exotic plant invasion through increasing growth inequality between invasive and native plants,but the soil legacy effect of plant diversity may have little impact on exotic plant invasion.