The allelopathic, adhesive, hydrophobic and toxic latex of Euphorbia species is the cause of fairy circles investigated at several locations in Namibia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In this multidisciplinary study we present soil chemical, phytochemical and GIS spatial patterning evidence that fairy circles studied in three separate locations of Namibia may be caused by Euphorbia species.

Results

We show that matrix sand coated with E. damarana latex resulted in faster water-infiltration rates. GC-MS analyses revealed that soil from fairy circles and from under decomposing E. damarana plants are very similar in phytochemistry. E. damarana and E. gummifera extracts have a detrimental effect on bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of Stipagrostis uniplumis and inhibit grass seed germination. Several compounds previously identified with antimicrobial and phytotoxic activity were also identified in E. gummifera. GIS analyses showed that perimet

SUBMITTER: Meyer JJM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7397633 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature