Invasive weed outperforms native plant under combined soil pollution
Akbar R, Bo Y, Jin C, Aslam T, Ahmad K
Invasive Species
If you've noticed aggressive weeds like beggar-ticks taking over disturbed lots near farmland or roadsides, this research suggests soil pollution itself may be tipping the competitive balance in their favor over native plants.
Researchers grew an invasive weed called hairy beggarticks alongside a native plant, black nightshade, in soil contaminated with both cadmium and biodegradable plastic bits, then compared how each handled the stress. The invasive weed kept its leaves greener, its photosynthesis steadier, and suffered far less cell damage than the native plant, largely because it revved up its own antioxidant defenses. The plant with better internal defenses also had a healthier root zone, hinting that pollution-tolerant invaders might get a leg up on native competitors in contaminated soils.
Key Findings
Combined Cd and PLA microplastic exposure reduced chlorophyll content, photosystem II efficiency, nitrogen accumulation, biomass, and rhizosphere enzyme activity in both species.
Invasive Bidens pilosa showed higher antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, CAT, POD), lower reactive oxygen species (H2O2, O2-) accumulation, and less lipid peroxidation (MDA) than native Solanum nigrum under combined stress.
Root antioxidant capacity correlated closely with rhizosphere microbial enzyme activity, pointing to a root-centered link between plant stress tolerance and soil nutrient cycling.
chevron_right Technical Summary
When cadmium pollution and biodegradable microplastics show up together in soil, an invasive weed handles the double stress far better than a native plant does, suggesting pollution could give invasive species an extra edge over natives.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Comparative Responses of Invasive and Native Plant Species to Combined Cd and Microplastic Pollution.
The co-occurrence of heavy metal contamination and biodegradable microplastic (polylactic acid, PLA) pollution poses increasing risks to terrestrial plant communities and soil functioning, yet spec...
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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