engleski

Phytotoxic effect of indigobush (Amorpha fruticosa L.) on periphyton development

Indigobush (Amorpha fruticosa L.) is a deciduous shrub which extensively occupies forest edges, riversides, roadsides and many other habitat types. Allelochemicals in leaves of this invasive plant have strong phytotoxic effects and inhibit seed germination and seedling growth. In natural environments, during the decomposition of its dead mass (e.g. leaves), allelochemicals could be released into the aquatic systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the indigobush aqueous extracts (0.05, 1 and 2 %) on physical and chemical parameters as well as on periphyton development in the experimental aquatic systems. All concentrations of leaf extract caused changes in the aquatic environments - electrical conductivity, total nitrogen and total phosphorus content has a higher value compared to the control. This offered favourable conditions for periphyton development. On the last sampling day periphyton biomass in all treatments was higher than in the control. Chlorophyll content varied during the study indicating changes in the periphytic algal assemblages. The results suggest that the rapid invasion of indigobush along the riversides may affect aquatic environments and their biotic communities.

experimental aquatic system ; aqueous extracts ; invasive plant ; algae

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