Vegetos
(An International Journal of Plant Research & Biotechnology)
Effects of three invasive alien plant species on soil attributes at different disturbance gradients in Aizawl, Mizoram, North East India
*Article not assigned to an issue yet
Research Articles | Published: 23 June, 2025
First Page: 0
Last Page: 0
Views: 867
Keywords: Allelochemicals, Invasive alien plants, Biodiversity; disturbance regimes; climate change, Sustainable management
Abstract
Invasive alien plants (IAPs) perturb native biodiversity, ecosystem services, and human well-being. Allelopathy in IAPs is mediated by releasing allelochemicals, inextricably linked with the ‘novel weapon hypothesis’ (NWH). Also, the ‘resource hypothesis’ (RH) elucidates the role of soil attributes in facilitating IAPs spread. Present study aims to validate NWH and RH to compare the effects of IAPs on the soil physicochemical and allelochemic (total phenolic content (TPC)) attributes at different disturbance gradients in Aizawl, Mizoram, North East India. This Indo-Burma global biodiversity hotspot is faced with multiple anthropogenic disturbances, driving infestation of IAPs from Asteraceae with aggressive plant traits. The dominant IAPs i.e., Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King and H. Rob., Ageratum conyzoides L., and Mikania micrantha Kunth., were selected to assess their effects on soil attributes and allelochemicals. To this end, seasonal monitoring of soil physicochemical characteristics and TPC was performed at IAPs invaded sites using standard methodology. Results revealed modulations of soil chemistry along the disturbance gradient. Soil pH values decreased along the disturbance regime while variations in soil moisture and soil organic carbon (SOC) were IAP-specific. Among IAPs, A. conyzoides invaded sites demonstrated highest moisture content and SOC. Statistical validation through ANOVA corroborated the variable ‘IAPs-disturbance interactions’ (p < 0.05). Similarly, TPC values were noted in decreasing trend A. conyzoides > M. micrantha > C. odorata, however, variations noted significant only in the case of C. odorata with catechol as a standard (p < 0.05). The study concluded that the IAPs-disturbance interactions are inextricably linked with soil chemistry and play vital role in their sustainable control/management. Nevertheless, the TPC may act as an indirect proxy for allelopathy and require further allelochemic characterization with pot or microcosm bioassay experiments.
References
Adhikari D, Tiwary R, Barik SK (2015) Modelling hotspots for invasive alien plants in India. PLoS ONE 10(7):e0134665. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0134665
Afzal MR, Naz M, Ashraf W, Du D (2023) The legacy of plant invasion: impacts on soil nitrification and management implications. Plants 12(16):2980. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12162980
Akomeng N, Adusei S (2021) Organic solvent extraction and spectrophotometric quantification of total phenolic content of soil. Heliyon 7(11):e08388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08388
Anderson JM, Ingram JS (1994) Tropical soil biology and fertility: a handbook of methods. Soil Sci 157(4):265
Ayele DT, Akele ML, Melese AT (2022) Analysis of total phenolic contents, flavonoids, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Croton macrostachyus root extracts. BMC Chem 16:30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-022-00822-0
Barik SK, Adhikari D (2012) Predicting the geographical distribution of an invasive species (Chromolaena odorata L.(King) & HE Robins) in the Indian Subcontinent under climate change scenarios. Invasive alien plants: an ecological appraisal for the Indian Subcontinent. CABI, Wallingford UK, pp 77–88. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845939076.0077
Blumenthal D (2005) Interrelated causes of plant invasion. Science 310(5746):243–244. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1114851
Bora AR, Dasi SB, Kalita S, Chetry S (2023) Harmful effect of the invasive weed Mikania micrantha with special reference to india: A review. Agricultural Reviews 44(3):380–384. https://doi.org/10.18805/ag.R-2199
Callaway RM, Ridenour WM (2004) Novel weapons: invasive success and the evolution of increased competitive ability. Front Ecol Environ 2(8):436–443. https://doi.org/10.1890/1540-9295(2004)002[0436:NWISAT]2.0.CO;2
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) (2018) https://cgwb.gov.in/District_Profile/Mizoram/AIZWAL.pdf. Accessed 08 Jul 2024
Chatterjee S, Dewanji A (2019) Soil nutrients can influence exotic species richness in urban areas: a case study from the City of Kolkata. Am J Plant Sci 10(11):2052–2069. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2019.1011145
Chaudhary N, Narayan R, Sharma DK (2015) Differential biomass allocation to plant organs and their allelopathic impact on the growth of crop plants: A case study on the invasibility of Ageratum conyzoides in Indian dry tropics. Indian J Agricultural Sci 85(11):1405–1411. https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v85i11.53647
Choudhury MR, Deb P, Singha H (2017) Status of invasive plant species in the dry savanna grasslands of Rajiv Gandhi Orang National park, Assam. Int J Ecol Environ Sci 43(3):245–250
Clements DR, Kato-Noguchi H (2025) Defensive mechanisms of Mikania micrantha likely enhance its invasiveness as one of the world’s worst alien species. Plants 14(2):269. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14020269
Dar MA, Ahmad M, Singh R, Kohli RK, Singh HP, Batish DR (2023) Invasive plants alter soil properties and nutrient dynamics: a case study of Anthemis cotula invasion in Kashmir himalaya. CATENA 226:107069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2023.107069
Endara MJ, Coley PD (2010) The resource availability hypothesis revisited: a meta-analysis. Funct Ecol 25(2):389–398. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2435.2010.01803.x
Farooq N, Abbas T, Tanveer A, Jabran K (2020) Allelopathy for weed management. In: Mérillon JM, Ramawat K (eds) Co-Evolution of secondary metabolites. Reference Series in Phytochemistry. Springer, Cham, pp 505–519. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96397-6_16In
Gusain R, Suthar S (2020) Vermicomposting of invasive weed Ageratum conyzoids: assessment of nutrient mineralization, enzymatic activities, and microbial properties. Bioresour Technol 312:123537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123537
Hauchhum R, Tripathi SK (2019) Carbon and nitrogen differences in rhizosphere soil of annual plants in abandoned lands following shifting agriculture in Northeast India. Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst 113:157–166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-019-09972-5
India State of Forest Report (ISFR) (2021) Forest Survey of India.https://fsi.nic.in/forest-report-2021-details Accessed 08 Jul 2024
Kanjana N, Li Y, Ahmed MA, Shen Z, Zhang L (2024) Optimized extraction methodology for phenolic compounds in soil and plant tissues: their implications in plant growth and gall formation. MethodsX 13:102853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171329
Kato-Noguchi H (2022) Allelopathy and allelochemicals of Imperata cylindrica as an invasive plant species. Plants 11(19):2551. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192551
Kato-Noguchi H, Kato M (2025) Evolution of the secondary metabolites in invasive plant species Chromolaena odorata for the defense and allelopathic functions. Plants 12(3):521. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030521
Kaur M, Li J, Zhang P, Yang HF, Wang L, Xu M (2022) Agricultural soil physico-chemical parameters and microbial abundance and diversity under long-run farming practices: A greenhouse study. Front Ecol Evol 10:1026771. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.1026771
Kaur A, Kaur S, Singh HP, Batish DR, Kohli RK (2019) Phenotypic variations alter the ecological impact of invasive alien species: lessons from Parthenium hysterophorus. J Environ Manage 241:187–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.03.129
Kumar A, Phillips RP, Scheibe A, Klink S, Pausch J (2020) Organic matter priming by invasive plants depends on dominant mycorrhizal association. Soil Biol Biochem 140:107645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2019.107645
Kumar S, Swami N, Kumar VJ, Singh R, Singhal P (2021) Chemical composition and medicinal significance of Ageratum conyzoides: A review. Int J Pharm Biol Archives 12:91–99
Lazzaro L, Bolpagni R, Buffa G, Gentili R, Lonati M, Stinca A, Acosta ATR, Adorni M, Aleffi M, Allegrezza M, Angiolini C (2020) Impact of invasive alien plants on native plant communities and natura 2000 habitats: state of the art, gap analysis and perspectives in Italy. J Environ Manage 274:111140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111140
Li WH, Zhang CB, Jiang HB, Xin GR, Yang ZY (2006) Changes in soil microbial community associated with invasion of the exotic weed, Mikania micrantha HBK. Plant Soil 281:324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-005-9641-3
Lowe S, Browne M, Boudjelas S, De Poorter M (2000) 100 of the world’s worst invasive alien species: a selection from the global invasive species database, vol 12. Invasive Species Specialist Group, Auckland, p 12. https://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/pdf/100English.pdf
Meiners SJ, Kong CH, Ladwig LM, Pisula NL, Lang KA (2012) Developing an ecological context for allelopathy. Plant Ecol 213:1221–1227. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-012-0078-5
Metlen KL, Aschehoug ET, Callaway RM (2009) Plant behavioural ecology: dynamic plasticity in secondary metabolites. Plant Cell Environ 32(6):641–653. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3040.2008.01910.x
Molin RF, Dartora N, Borges ACP, Gonçalves IL, Di Luccio M, Valduga AT (2014) Total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity in oxidized leaves of mate (Ilex paraguariensis st. Hil). Brazilian Archives Biology Technol 57:997–1003. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-8913201402305
Momin MD, Singh NS, Kumar A, Tripathi SK (2021) Structural and functional characterization of rhizosphere actinomycetes of major crop plants under shifting cultivation practice in Northeast India. Vegetos 34:638–646. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-021-00221-1
Morris KA, Stark JM, Bugbee B, Norton JM (2016) The invasive annual Cheatgrass releases more nitrogen than crested wheatgrass through root exudation and senescence. Oecologia 181:983. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-015-3544-7
Qu T, Du X, Peng Y, Guo W, Zhao C, Losapio G (2021) Invasive species allelopathy decreases plant growth and soil microbial activity. PLoS ONE 16(2):e0246685. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246685
Rai PK (2009) Comparative assessment of soil properties after bamboo flowering and death in a tropical forest of Indo-Burma hotspot. Ambio 38(2):118–120. https://doi.org/10.1579/0044-7447-38.2.118
Rai PK (2012) Assessment of multifaceted environmental issues and model development of an Indo-Burma hotspot region. Environ Monit Assess 184:113–131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-011-1951-8
Rai PK (2015) Paradigm of plant invasion: multifaceted review on sustainable management. Environ Monit Assess 187:1–30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4934-3
Rai PK, Lee SS, Bhardwaj N, Kim KH (2023) The environmental, socio-economic, and health effects of invasive alien plants: Review on Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray in Asteraceae. South African journal of botany 162:461–480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2023.09.038
Rai PK, Singh JS (2020) Invasive alien plant species: their impact on environment, ecosystem services and human health. Ecol Ind 111:106020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.106020
Rai PK, Singh JS (2021) Plant invasion in protected areas, the Indian Himalayan region, and the North East india: progress and prospects. Proc Indian Natl Sci Acad 87:19–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43538-021-00013-w
Rai PK, Singh JS (2024) Ecological insights and environmental threats of invasive alien plant Chromolaena odorata: prospects for sustainable management. Weed Biology Manage 24(1):15–37. https://doi.org/10.1111/wbm.12286
Rai PK, Vanlalruati (2022) Societal perception on environmental and socio-economic implications of Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray invasion in an Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. Environmental & Socio-economic Studies 10(3):59–66. https://doi.org/10.2478/environ-2022-0017
Rathee S, Ahmad M, Sharma P, Batish DR, Singh HP (2023) Invasive plants in india: their adaptability, impact, and response to changing climate. In: Tripathi S, Bhadouria R, Srivastava P, Singh R, Batish DR (eds) Plant invasions and global climate change. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-5910-5_8
Ricciardi A, Blackburn TM, Carlton JT, Dick JT, Hulme PE, Iacarella JC, Jeschke JM, Liebhold AM, Lockwood JL, MacIsaac HJ, Pyšek P (2017) Invasion science: a horizon scan of emerging challenges and opportunities. Trends Ecol Evol 32(6):464–474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2017.03.007
Rice EL (1984) Allelopathy. 2nd Edition. New York: Academic Press, 422
Sagar R, Raghubanshi AS, Singh JS (2003) Tree species composition, dispersion and diversity along a disturbance gradient in a dry tropical forest region of India. For Ecol Manag 186(1–3):61–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-1127(03)00235-4
Sakachep ZK, Rai PK (2025) Effects of invasive alien plants on floristic diversity and soil physico-chemical characteristics in Hailakandi district, assam, an Indo Burma hotspot region. Trop Ecol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42965-025-00387-8
Saxena KG, Ramakrishnan PS (2011) Growth and allocation strategies of some perennial weeds of Slash and burn agriculture (Jhum) in Northeastern India. Can J Bot 61(4):1300–1306
Scavo A, Abbate C, Mauromicale G (2019) Plant allelochemicals: agronomic, nutritional and ecological relevance in the soil system. Plant Soil 442:23–48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-019-04190-y
Scavo A, Restuccia A, Mauromicale G (2018) Allelopathy: principles and basic aspects for agroecosystem control. In: Gaba S, Smith B, Lichtfouse E (eds) Sustainable Agriculture Reviews 28. Sustainable Agriculture Reviews, Springer, Cham, vol 28, pp 47–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90309-5_2
Schandry N, Becker C (2020) Allelopathic plants: models for studying plant–interkingdom interactions. Trends Plant Sci 25(2):176–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2019.11.004
Seebens H, Blackburn TM, Dyer EE, Genovesi P, Hulme PE, Jeschke JM, Pagad S, Pyšek P, Winter M, Arianoutsou M, Bacher S (2017) No saturation in the accumulation of alien species worldwide. Nat Commun 8(1):14435. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms14435
Sengupta R, Dash SS (2020) A comprehensive inventory and ecological assessment of alien plant invasion in mizoram, India. Indonesian J Forestry Res 7(2):135–154. https://doi.org/10.20886/ijfr.2020.7.2.135-154
Shan Z, Zhou S, Shah A, Arafat Y, Arif Hussain Rizvi S, Shao H (2023) Plant allelopathy in response to biotic and abiotic factors. Agronomy 13(9):2358. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092358
Soti PG, Jayachandran K, Koptur S, Volin JC (2015) Effect of soil pH on growth, nutrient uptake, and mycorrhizal colonization in exotic invasive Lygodium microphyllum. Plant Ecol 216:989–998. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-015-0484-6
Srivastava S, Joshi RK, Garkoti SC (2023) Carbon and nitrogen allocation in leaf, fine root, soil, and microbial biomass in invasive Prosopis juliflora and native Acacia nilotica in semi-arid forests of the Aravalli hills. Arid Land Res Manage 37(4):535–553. https://doi.org/10.1080/15324982.2023.2180456
Swain T, Hillis WE (1959) The phenolic constituents of Prunus domestica. I.—The quantitative analysis of phenolic constituents. J Sci Food Agric 10(1):63–68. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.2740100211
Syngkli RB, Rai PK (2024) Allelopathic effects of Ageratum conyzoides L. on the germination and growth of Zea mays L., Lactuca sativa L. and Solanum lycopersicum L. Allelopathy Journal 62(2):193–204. https://doi.org/10.26651/allelo.j/2024-62-2-1494
Syngkli RB, Rai PK, Lalnuntluanga (2025) Expanding horizon of invasive alien plants under the interacting effects of global climate change: multifaceted impacts and management prospects. Clim Change Ecol 100092. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecochg.2025.100092
Taârit MB, Msaada K, Hosni K, Marzouk B (2012) Fatty acids, phenolic changes and antioxidant activity of Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea L.) rosette leaves grown under saline conditions. Ind Crops Prod 38:58–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2012.01.002
Tataridas A, Travlos I, Freitas H (2023) Agroecology and invasive alien plants: A winner-take-all game. Front Plant Sci 14:1143814. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1143814
Tripathi RS, Yadav AS, Kushwaha SPS (2012) Biology of Chromolaena odorata, Ageratina adenophora and Ageratina riparia: a review. Invasive Alien Plants Ecol Apprais Indian Subcont 32:43–56. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781845939076.0043
Vijayaraghavan K, Rajkumar J, Bukhari SN, Al–Sayed B, Seyed MA (2017) Chromolaena odorata: A neglected weed with a wide spectrum of Pharmacological activities. Mol Med Rep 15:1007–1016. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2017.6133
Vujanović D, Losapio G, Milić S, Milić D (2022) The impact of multiple species invasion on soil and plant communities increases with invasive species co-occurrence. Front Plant Sci 13:875824. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.875824
Walkley A, Black IA (1934) An examination of Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter and a proposed modification of the chromic acid Titration method. Soil Sci 37:29–37
Weidenhamer JD, Callaway RM (2010) Direct and indirect effects of invasive plants on soil chemistry and ecosystem function. J Chem Ecol 36:59–69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-009-9735-0
Author Information
Department of Environmental Science, Mizoram University, (A Central University) Aizawl, Aizawl, India