The Invasive Plant Impatiens glandulifera Manipulates Microbial Associates of Competing Native Species.

ABSTRACT: Impatiens glandulifera or Himalayan balsam is one of the most invasive weeds across Europe and can seriously reduce native plant diversity. It often forms continuous monocultures along river banks, but the mechanisms of this arrested succession are largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on balsam competitive ability with two native plant species, Plantago lanceolata and Holcus lanatus. We also studied how competition with Impatiens affects colonisation by foliar endophytes and mycorrhizas of two other co-occurring native species, Urtica dioica and Cirsium arvense. Mycorrhizal colonisation reduced balsam growth when the plants were grown singly, but appeared to have little effect when balsam experience

SUBMITTER: Ab Razak N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10096542 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature