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Alternatives for a Sustainable Management of Invasive Plant Species
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Alternatives for a Sustainable Management of Invasive Plant Species

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 19011

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Paula Lorenzo

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Guest Editor
Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE)–Science for People & The Planet, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra (UC), 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: exotic plant invasion; impacts on native communities; plant invasion of new areas by releasing exotic allelochemicals (allelopathy); potential uses for the allelopathic compounds and plant residues (mainly from invasive plants) to palliate environmental problems related to conventional agriculture (phytotoxicity, natural compounds); new strategies to control invasive plants and its impacts on native communities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Maria Cristina Morais

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro de Investigação e de Tecnologias Agroambientais e Biológicas, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: fruits; postharvest; quality preservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Invasive plant species have proven to cause negative ecological and economic impacts on agroforestry ecosystems. The most common strategy to manage invasive plants is still based on chemical or mechanical control methods without post-control management. This strategy is not environmentally safe, involves huge costs, is insufficient, and fails for large invaded areas. For these reasons, alternative and sustainable management is urgently needed. The most recent idea proposed consists of finding alternative strategies to control invasive plants by the valorization of their waste. The valorization of invasive waste provides new natural resources and stimulates a long-term sustainable control of invaded areas, allowing to partially recover invested funds that otherwise would be lost. This strategy is also aligned with the principles of circular bioeconomy.

This Special Issue welcomes the submission of reviews, research papers, and short communications on a large array of potential uses such as, bioactivity, agriculture, raw material, paper production, animal feeding, etc. Innovative uses also included, but are not limited to, those briefly indicated by the keywords presented below or any other use that can facilitate and promote alternatives for long-term sustainable management of invasive plants.

Dr. Paula Lorenzo
Dr. Maria Cristina Morais
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • waste valorization
  • novel potential uses
  • Allelopathy
  • Bioactivity
  • Bioenergy
  • Raw material
  • sustainable agriculture
  • sustainable horticulture
  • organic fertilizers
  • green waste compost
  • integrated management control

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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23 pages, 2412 KiB  
Article
Invasive Alien Species as a Potential Source of Phytopharmaceuticals: Phenolic Composition and Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activity of Robinia pseudoacacia L. Leaf and Flower Extracts
by Mirela Uzelac, Barbara Sladonja, Ivana Šola, Slavica Dudaš, Josipa Bilić, Ibukun M. Famuyide, Lyndy J. McGaw, Jacobus N. Eloff, Maja Mikulic-Petkovsek and Danijela Poljuha
Plants 2023, 12(14), 2715; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12142715 - 21 Jul 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2561
Abstract
Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), an invasive tree in Europe, commonly known for its negative impact on biodiversity, is a rich source of phenolic compounds recognized in traditional medicine. Since the metabolite profile depends on the environment and climate, this study aimed [...] Read more.
Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), an invasive tree in Europe, commonly known for its negative impact on biodiversity, is a rich source of phenolic compounds recognized in traditional medicine. Since the metabolite profile depends on the environment and climate, this study aimed to provide the first LC-MS phytochemical screening of the black locust from the Istria region (Croatia). The compounds were extracted from leaves and flowers with 70% ethanol and 80% methanol. Total phenolics (TP) and flavonoids (TF), as well as antioxidant capacity (AC) measured by ABTS (17.49–146.41 mg TE/g DW), DPPH (24.67–118.49 mg TE/g DW), and FRAP (7.38–77.53 mg TE/g DW) assays, were higher in leaf than in flower extracts. Higher TP and total non-flavonoid (TNF) values were displayed in ethanolic than in methanolic extracts. In total, 64 compounds were identified, of which flavonols (20) and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (15) were the most represented. Flavanols such as catechin dominated in leaf extracts, followed by flavonols, with kaempferol glucuronyl rhamnosyl hexosides as the main compound, respectively. Flower extracts had the highest share of flavones, followed by ellagitannins, with luteolin dirhamnosyl hexosides and vescalagin, respectively, being predominant. The extracts had good quorum sensing, biofilm formation prevention, and eradicating capacity. The results provided new insights into the phytochemical properties of R. pseudoacacia as the first step toward its potential pharmaceutical use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternatives for a Sustainable Management of Invasive Plant Species)
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14 pages, 1440 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Mineral Composition and Nutritional Value of Acacia Green Pods
by Soraia I. Pedro, Carlos A. L. Antunes, Carmo Horta, Inês Pitacas, Joana Gonçalves, Jorge Gominho, Eugenia Gallardo and Ofélia Anjos
Plants 2023, 12(9), 1853; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091853 - 30 Apr 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2863
Abstract
The Acacia genus is considered one of the most invasive taxa in some habitats, namely coastal dunes, maritime calcareous soils, fresh lands in the valleys, mountainous areas, and the banks of watercourses and roadsides. In Portugal, the severity risk is very high, so [...] Read more.
The Acacia genus is considered one of the most invasive taxa in some habitats, namely coastal dunes, maritime calcareous soils, fresh lands in the valleys, mountainous areas, and the banks of watercourses and roadsides. In Portugal, the severity risk is very high, so this study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and mineral contents of the green pods as a potential source for livestock feeds and soil fertilizer because, as far as we know, there is no use for this species. The seven different species of Acacia (Acacia mearnsii Link, Acacia longifolia (Andrews) Willd, Acacia melanoxylon R. Br., Acacia pycnantha Bentham, Acacia dealbata Link., Acacia retinodes Schlecht, and Acacia cyclops A. Cunn. ex G. Don fil) were evaluated. The results showed that Acacia green pods have a high protein, fibre and minerals content, especially in potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). All species present a different profile of the studied parameters, suggesting different potentials for their future use. Near-infrared spectroscopy was a potential tool to predict the earlier quality of the Acacia green pods to better select the raw material for the different applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternatives for a Sustainable Management of Invasive Plant Species)
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18 pages, 2266 KiB  
Article
Valorization of Pennisetum setaceum: From Invasive Plant to Fiber Reinforcement of Injected Composites
by Patricia Cabrera-García, María Dolores Marrero, Antonio Nizardo Benítez and Rubén Paz
Plants 2023, 12(9), 1777; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091777 - 26 Apr 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1782
Abstract
During the control campaigns of Pennisetum setaceum (invasive species widespread worldwide), the generated waste has accumulated in landfills. This study investigates its use to obtain P. setaceum fibers for their application as reinforcement of polymeric materials for injection molding, thus facilitating and promoting [...] Read more.
During the control campaigns of Pennisetum setaceum (invasive species widespread worldwide), the generated waste has accumulated in landfills. This study investigates its use to obtain P. setaceum fibers for their application as reinforcement of polymeric materials for injection molding, thus facilitating and promoting alternatives for the long-term sustainable management of P. setaceum. The extracted fibers were treated with alkaline, silane, acetic acid, and combined alkaline and silane treatments. Different composites with 20 and 40 wt% of fiber were extruded, and test samples were obtained by injection molding using recycled polyethylene as matrix. The composition of the fibers was determined by gravimetric methods, and contrasted with the analysis of the functional chemical groups using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Increases of up to 47% in the cellulose content of the treated fiber were observed. The thermal degradation was also evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis, which determined an increase in the degradation temperature, from 194 to 230 °C, after the combined alkaline–silane treatment. In order to analyze the differences in the composites, tensile, flexural, and impact properties were evaluated; in addition, differential scanning calorimetry was performed. Regarding the flexural behavior, it was possible to improve the flexural modulus up to 276% compared with that of the unreinforced polymer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternatives for a Sustainable Management of Invasive Plant Species)
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24 pages, 5835 KiB  
Article
Screening and Evaluation of Dermo-Cosmetic Activities of the Invasive Plant Species Polygonum cuspidatum
by Vanille Quinty, Cyril Colas, Rouba Nasreddine, Reine Nehmé, Christine Piot, Micheline Draye, Emilie Destandau, David Da Silva and Gregory Chatel
Plants 2023, 12(1), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12010083 - 23 Dec 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3398
Abstract
Polygonum cuspidatum (P. cuspidatum) is among the world’s most problematic invasive plant species with negative ecological, socio-economic and security consequences. Management operations in areas invaded systematically generate a large quantity of plant waste, most often without outlets. Using this plant material [...] Read more.
Polygonum cuspidatum (P. cuspidatum) is among the world’s most problematic invasive plant species with negative ecological, socio-economic and security consequences. Management operations in areas invaded systematically generate a large quantity of plant waste, most often without outlets. Using this plant material could constitute a new alternative treatment for sustainable management. P. cuspidatum is well known to have numerous biological properties, containing notably stilbenes, quinones, flavonoids and phenolic acids. The present work proposes a reliable strategy using powerful techniques for the screening and the evaluation of the dermo-cosmetic potential of its aerial parts (AP) and root parts (RP). To the best of our knowledge, only antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities were previously evaluated on P. cuspidatum among the targets studied (superoxide dismutase, hyaluronidase, elastase, collagenase and tyrosinase). The results revealed strong antioxidant and anti-collagenase activities, moderate anti-hyaluronidase activity, while weak anti-elastase and anti-tyrosinase activities were observed for ethanolic extracts. Different standards selected and screened on the same targets made it possible to correlate the observed residual activities of produced extracts of P. cuspidatum from Savoie Mont Blanc and their chemical compositions. A structure-activity study was thus conducted on main molecular families, widely represented in the genus Polygonum. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternatives for a Sustainable Management of Invasive Plant Species)
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16 pages, 1083 KiB  
Article
HPLC-DAD-MS Identification and Quantification of Phenolic Components in Japanese Knotweed and American Pokeweed Extracts and Their Phytotoxic Effect on Seed Germination
by Maja Mikulic-Petkovsek, Robert Veberic, Metka Hudina and Eva Misic
Plants 2022, 11(22), 3053; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11223053 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1670
Abstract
We performed a detailed HPLC-MSn analysis of the phenolic compounds from the extracts of two invasive alien plant species (IAPS): Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decr.) and American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana L.). The major phenolic groups were hydroxycinnamic acids and [...] Read more.
We performed a detailed HPLC-MSn analysis of the phenolic compounds from the extracts of two invasive alien plant species (IAPS): Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decr.) and American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana L.). The major phenolic groups were hydroxycinnamic acids and flavanols in Japanese knotweed (J. knotweed) and flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, and stilbenes in American pokeweed (A. pokeweed). We investigated the influence of solvent type and extraction time on the extraction efficiency of the phenolic compounds. The solvent 80% methanol had a higher polyphenolic extraction efficiency than water, since 14.5 times more flavonols and 2.3 times more stilbenes were extracted from J. knotweed and 5.2 times more flavonols and 2.6 times more stilbenes were extracted from A. pokeweed. In contrast, with water, we obtained a 52% higher hydroxycinnamic acids (HCA) content from J. knotweed. Hydroxycinnamic acids were best extracted in water after 24 h, flavanols after 12 h, stilbenes between 12 and 24 h, and flavonol glycosides after 48 h of extraction. We also tested the allelopathic effect of the aqueous extract of A. pokeweed and J. knotweed on seed germination and shoot and root growth of perennial ryegrass. The results showed that the water extract of J. knotweed resulted in 38 to 48% lower seed germination of perennial ryegrass, and the extract of A. pokeweed resulted in 83 to 90% lower seed germination. The phytotoxic effect of the extract of J. knotweed and A. pokeweed was also reflected in a characteristic reduced growth of shoots and roots of perennial ryegrass. The phytotoxic action of IAPS could also be applied for beneficial purposes, since this would be an effective strategy for their control and a reduction of their spread in the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternatives for a Sustainable Management of Invasive Plant Species)
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16 pages, 2444 KiB  
Article
From a Lose–Lose to a Win–Win Situation: User-Friendly Biomass Models for Acacia longifolia to Aid Research, Management and Valorisation
by Florian Ulm, Mariana Estorninho, Joana Guedes de Jesus, Miguel Goden de Sousa Prado, Cristina Cruz and Cristina Máguas
Plants 2022, 11(21), 2865; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11212865 - 27 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1875
Abstract
Woody invasive species pose a big threat to ecosystems worldwide. Among them, Acacia longifolia is especially aggressive, fundamentally changing ecosystem structure through massive biomass input. This biomass is rarely harvested for usage; thus, these plants constitute a nuisance for stakeholders who invest time [...] Read more.
Woody invasive species pose a big threat to ecosystems worldwide. Among them, Acacia longifolia is especially aggressive, fundamentally changing ecosystem structure through massive biomass input. This biomass is rarely harvested for usage; thus, these plants constitute a nuisance for stakeholders who invest time and money for control without monetary return. Simultaneously, there is an increased effort to valorise its biomass, e.g., for compost, growth substrate or as biofuel. However, to incentivise A. longifolia harvest and usage, stakeholders need to be able to estimate what can be obtained from management actions. Thus, the total biomass and its quality (C/N ratio) need to be predicted to perform cost–benefit analyses for usage and determine the level of invasion that has already occurred. Here, we report allometric biomass models for major biomass pools, as well as give an overview of biomass quality. Subsequently, we derive a simplified volume-based model (BM ~ 6.297 + 0.982 × Vol; BM = total dry biomass and Vol = plant volume), which can be applied to remote sensing data or with in situ manual measurements. This toolkit will help local stakeholders, forest managers or municipalities to predict the impact and valorisation potential of this invasive species and could ultimately encourage its management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternatives for a Sustainable Management of Invasive Plant Species)
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14 pages, 869 KiB  
Opinion
Strategies for the Management of Aggressive Invasive Plant Species
by Paula Lorenzo and Maria Cristina Morais
Plants 2023, 12(13), 2482; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12132482 - 28 Jun 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3850
Abstract
Current control methods for invasive alien plants (IAPs) have acceptable short-term outcomes but have proven to be unfeasible or unaffordable in the long-term or for large invaded areas. For these reasons, there is an urgent need to develop sustainable approaches to control or [...] Read more.
Current control methods for invasive alien plants (IAPs) have acceptable short-term outcomes but have proven to be unfeasible or unaffordable in the long-term or for large invaded areas. For these reasons, there is an urgent need to develop sustainable approaches to control or restrict the spread of aggressive IAPs. The use of waste derived from IAP control actions could contribute to motivating the long-term management and preservation of local biodiversity while promoting some economic returns for stakeholders. However, this strategy may raise some concerns that should be carefully addressed before its implementation. In this article, we summarize the most common methods to control IAPs, explaining their viability and limitations. We also compile the potential applications of IAP residues and discuss the risks and opportunities associated with this strategy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Alternatives for a Sustainable Management of Invasive Plant Species)
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