Role of plant functional traits in the invasion success: analysis of nine species of Asteraceae.

Various attributes are hypothesized to facilitate the dominance of an invasive species in non-native geographical and ecological regimes. To explore the characteristic invasive attributes of the family Asteraceae, a comparative study was conducted among nine species of this family, co-occurring in the western Himalayan region. Based on their nativity and invasion status, the species were categorized as "Invasive", "Naturalized", and "Native".

Leaf functional traits and resource use strategies facilitate the spread of invasive plant Parthenium hysterophorus across an elevational gradient in western Himalayas.

Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) is a highly prevalent invasive species in subtropical regions across the world. It has recently been seen to shift from low (subtropical) to high (sub-temperate) elevations.

Enhanced plasticity and reproductive fitness of floral and seed traits facilitate non-native species spread in mountain ecosystems.

Floral and seed traits, their relationships, and responses to abiotic constraints are considered the key determinants of the invasion success of non-native plant species. However, studies evaluating the pattern of floral and seed traits of non-native species in mountain ecosystems are lacking. In this study, we determined (a) whether the floral and seed traits of native and non-native species show similarity or dissimilarity across elevations in mountains, and (b) whether the non-native species follow different allometric patterns compared with native species.

Invasive Cirsium arvense displays different resource-use strategies along local habitat heterogeneity in the trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh.

Climate change and anthropogenic pressures have resulted in a significant shift in the invasion susceptibility and frequency of non-native species in mountain ecosystems. Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.

Comparison of synthetic and organic biodegradable chelants in augmenting cadmium phytoextraction in .

This study focused to enhance the cadmium (Cd) phytoextraction efficiency in by applying four biodegradable chelants (10 mM)-ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA), ethylenediamine disuccinate (EDDS), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), and citric acid (CA), when grown in Cd-spiked soil (12 and 48 mg kg). Plant height, dry biomass, photosynthetic traits, and metal accumulation varied significantly with Cd and chelant treatments. Cadmium-toxicity resulted in reduction of plant growth and photosynthetic physiology, whereas chelant supplementation alleviated the toxic effect of Cd and increased its accumulation.

Biodegradable chelant-metal complexes enhance cadmium phytoextraction efficiency of Solanum americanum.

Toxic contaminants (metals and metal-containing compounds) are accumulating in the environment at an astonishing rate and jeopardize human health. Remarkable industrial revolution and the spectacular economic growth are the prime causes for the release of such toxic contaminants in the environment. Cadmium (Cd) is ranked the 7th most toxic compound by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (USA), owing to its high carcinogenicity and non-biodegradability even at miniscule concentration.

Bridging the gap: linking morpho-functional traits' plasticity with hyperaccumulation.

Plant species exhibiting heavy metal tolerance are instrumental in phytoremediation of metalliferous sites. Most of the time, variations in plant functional traits (PFTs) are overlooked while identifying hyperaccumulators. However, investigating morphological, physiological, and phenological variations can contribute to our knowledge about stress tolerance, and aid in identifying potential hyperaccumulators.

Optimization of eco-friendly novel amendments for sustainable utilization of Fly ash based on growth performance, hormones, antioxidant, and heavy metal translocation in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) plant.

The present study has focused on the evaluation of the maximum amount of flyash (FA) utilization augmentation in the acidic soil (pH 6.1) with the manure during the growth performance and impact of toxic heavy metals under the pot experiment. The 15 days pre-incubated 40% FA treated combination (T16) significantly (P < 0.

Patterns of plant communities along vertical gradient in Dhauladhar Mountains in Lesser Himalayas in North-Western India.

Mountains are definitely the most rugged, yet frail resources and biodiversity-rich regions of the world. Environmental variables directly affect species composition, growth patterns, and the ecosystem resulting in a drastic change in the vegetation composition along ascending elevations. The present study investigated vegetation composition, nestedness, and turnover in plant communities along a vertical gradient (2000 to 4000 m) in Dhauladhar Mountains, Lesser Himalayas, India.

Processes affecting altitudinal distribution of invasive Ageratina adenophora in western Himalaya: The role of local adaptation and the importance of different life-cycle stages.

The spread of invasive plants along elevational gradients is considered a threat to fragile mountain ecosystems, but it can also provide the opportunity to better understand some of the basic processes driving the success of invasive species. Ageratina adenophora (Asteraceae) is an invasive plant of global importance and has a broad distribution along elevational gradients in the Western Himalayas. Our study aimed at understanding the role of evolutionary processes (e.

Is Recurving an Effective Strategy of Trifolium repens L. to Augment Reproduction?

Flowers of Trifolium repens L. show recurving. We, therefore, studied whether this is an effective strategy employed by the species to augment reproduction.