Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-15T21:17:45.723Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) germination and growth responses to light: implications for logging debris retention after forest harvesting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2020

Timothy B. Harrington Open the ORCID record for Timothy B. Harrington [Opens in a new window]
Timothy B. Harrington*
Affiliation:
Research Forester, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Olympia, WA, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Timothy B. Harrington, Forestry Sciences Laboratory, 3625 93rd Avenue SW, Olympia, WA98512-1101. (Email: [email protected])
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Scotch broom [Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link] is a large nonnative, leguminous shrub that threatens native plant communities by rapidly invading recently disturbed sites, competing vigorously for soil water and nutrients, and imparting soil legacy effects that inhibit native plants. In the Pacific Northwest, logging debris retention after forest harvesting prevents or slows C. scoparius invasions. A series of studies were conducted to determine potential mechanisms by which logging debris modifies the light environment to limit germination and growth of C. scoparius. In laboratory studies, seed germination did not vary significantly (P > 0.05): (1) between presence and absence of light for several temperature regimes, (2) when exposed to red (660-nm wavelength) versus far-red (730-nm wavelength) light, and (3) across a range of red/far-red light (R/FR) ratios. These results indicate that modification of the light environment by logging debris or plant canopies has little or no influence on C. scoparius germination. In a study to simulate effects of variable mass of logging debris, “heavy” debris (2 kg m−2) caused biologically relevant reductions in photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and R/FR relative to conditions under “light” debris (1 kg m−2). Cytisus scoparius germination did not differ significantly between simulated heavy and light debris; however, values of seedling root and shoot biomass under heavy debris were 16% and 71% of those observed under light debris, respectively. These results indicate that heavy debris limits biomass of C. scoparius seedlings, particularly roots, by reducing both PPFD and R/FR, which increases seedling vulnerability to summer drought or other stressors. Retention of heavy logging debris after forest harvesting has potential application on sites likely to be invaded by C. scoparius, as well as those sites with seedbanks containing C. scoparius.

Keywords

Invasive plant specieslight qualityred/far-red ratiosoil seedbank
Type
Research Article
Information
Weed Science , Volume 68 , Issue 5 , September 2020 , pp. 517 - 526
Creative Commons
This is a work of the U.S. Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the United States.
Copyright
© Weed Science Society of America, 2020

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Associate Editor: Hilary A. Sandler, University of Massachusetts

References

Abdullah, MM, Jones, RA, El-Beltagy, AS (1989) An efficient method to overcome seed dormancy in Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). Environ Exp Bot 29:499–505CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bliss, D, Smith, H (1985) Penetration of light into soil and its role in the control of seed germination. Plant Cell Environ 8:475–483CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Borthwick, HA, Hendricks, SB, Parker, MW, Toole, EH, Toole, VK (1952) A reversible photoreaction controlling seed germination. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 38:662–666CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bossard, C (2000) Cytisus scoparius. Pages 145–149in Bossard, C, Randall, J, Hochovsky, M, eds. Invasive Plants of California’s Wildlands. Berkeley: University of California PressGoogle Scholar
Bossard, CC (1993) Seed germination in the exotic shrub Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom) in California. Madroño 40:47–61Google Scholar
Bossard, CC, Rejmánek, M (1994) Herbivory, growth, seed production, and resprouting of an exotic invasive shrub, Cytisus scoparius. Biol Conserv 67:193–200CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Caldwell, BA (2006) Effects of invasive Scotch broom on soil properties in a Pacific coastal prairie soil. Appl Soil Ecol 32:149–152CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carter, DR, Slesak, RA, Harrington, TB, Peter, DH, D’Amato, AW (2019) Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) alters microenvironment and promotes nonnative grasses. Biol Invasions 21:1055–1073CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[CABI] Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International (2020) Invasive Species Compendium: Cystisus scoparius (Scotch Broom). https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/17610. Accessed: March 20, 2020Google Scholar
[CAI] Community Attributes, Inc. (2017) Economic Impact of Invasive Species: Direct Costs Estimates and Economic Impacts for Washington State. Seattle, WA: CAI. 46 p https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/EconomicImptsRpt.pdfGoogle Scholar
Devine, WD, Harrington, CA (2007) Influence of harvest residues and vegetation on microsite soil and air temperatures in a young conifer plantation. Agric For Meteorol 145:125–138CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DiTomaso, JM, Brooks, ML, Allen, EB, Minnich, R, Rice, PM, Kyser, GB (2006) Control of invasive weeds with prescribed burning. Weed Technol 20:535–548CrossRefGoogle Scholar
[EDDMapS] Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (2020) EDDMapS home page. University of Georgia–Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. http://www.eddmaps.org. Accessed: March 20, 2020Google Scholar
Grove, S, Haubensak, KA, Parker, IM (2012) Direct and indirect effects of allelopathy in the soil legacy of an exotic plant invasion. Plant Ecol 213:1869–1882CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Grove, S, Parker, IM, Haubensak, KA (2015) Persistence of a soil legacy following removal of a nitrogen-fixing invader. Biol Invasions 17:2621–2631CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harrington, TB (2007) Establishment of Scotch broom seedlings in Douglas-fir forests: effects of overstory retention level and seedbed type. Pages 37–42 in Harrington TB, Reichard SH, eds., Meeting the Challenge: Invasive Plants in Pacific Northwest Ecosystems. Portland, OR: USDA Forest Service, PNW Res. Sta., Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-694. 166 pCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harrington, TB (2009) Seed germination and seedling emergence of Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). Weed Sci 57:620–626CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harrington, TB (2014) Synthetic auxin herbicides control germinating Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). Weed Technol 28:435–442CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harrington, TB, Peter, DH, Slesak, RA (2018) Logging debris and herbicide treatments improve growing conditions for planted Douglas-fir on a droughty forest site invaded by Scotch broom. For Ecol Manag 417:31–39CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harrington, TB, Schoenholtz, SH (2010) Effects of logging debris treatments on five-year development of competing vegetation and planted Douglas-fir. Can J For Res 40:500–510CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harrington, TB, Slesak, RA, Dollins, JP, Schoenholtz, SH, Peter, DH (2020) Logging-debris and vegetation-control treatments influence competitive relationships to limit 15-year productivity of coast Douglas-fir in western Washington and Oregon. For Ecol Manag, 10.1016/j.foreco.2020.118288CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haubensak, KA, Parker, IM (2004) Soil changes accompanying invasion of the exotic shrub Cytisus scoparius in glacial outwash prairies of western Washington [USA]. Plant Ecol 175:71–79CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holt, JS (1995) Plant responses to light: a potential tool for weed management. Weed Sci 43:474–482CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hulting, A, Neff, K, Coombs, E, Parker, R, Miller, G, Burrill, LC (2008) Scotch Broom: Biology and Management in the Pacific Northwest Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link. PNW 103. Pacific Northwest Extension (Oregon State University, University of Idaho, and Washington State University). 8 pGoogle Scholar
Ivens, GW (1983) The influence of temperature on germination of gorse (Ulex europaeus L.). Weed Res 23:207–216CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Keeley, JE (1987) Role of fire in seed germination of woody taxa in California chaparral. Ecology 68:434–443CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ketchum, JS, Rose, R (2003) Preventing establishment of exotic shrubs (Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link. and Cytisus striatus (Hill)) with soil active herbicides (hexazinone, sulfometuron, and metsulfuron). New Forest 25:83–92CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mack, RN (2003) Plant naturalizations and invasions in the eastern United States: 1634–1860. Ann Mo Bot Gard 90:77–90CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mobley, L (1954) Scotch broom, a menace to forest, range and agricultural land. Proc Calif Weed Sci Soc 6:39–43Google Scholar
Neter, J, Wasserman, W, Kutner, MH (1989) Applied Linear Regression Models. 2nd ed. Homewood, IL: Richard D. Irwin. Pp 271–284Google Scholar
O’Connell, AM, Grove, TS, Mendham, DS, Rance, SJ (2004) Impact of harvest residue management on soil nitrogen dynamics in Eucalyptus globulus plantations in south-western Australia. Soil Biol Biochem 36:39–48CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Oneto, SR, Kyser, GB, DiTomaso, JM (2010) Efficacy of mechanical and herbicide control methods for Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) and cost analysis of chemical control options. Invasive Plant Sci Manag 3:421–428CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Paynter, Q, Downey, PO, Sheppard, AW (2003) Age structure and growth of the woody legume weed Cytisus scoparius in native and exotic habitats: implications for control. J Appl Ecol 40:470–480CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Paynter, Q, Fowler, SV, Memmott, J, Sheppard, AW (1998) Factors affecting the establishment of Cytisus scoparius in southern France: implications for managing both native and exotic populations. J Appl Ecol 35:582–595CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peter, DH, Harrington, TB (2018) Effects of forest harvesting, logging debris, and herbicides on the composition, diversity and assembly of a western Washington, USA plant community. For Ecol Manag 417:18–30CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peterson, DJ, Prasad, R (1998) The biology of Canadian weeds 109 Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link. Can J Plant Sci 78:497–504CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Poorter, H, Niklas, KJ, Reich, PB, Oleksyn, J, Poot, P, Mommer, L (2012) Biomass allocation to leaves, stems and roots: meta-analyses of interspecific variation and environmental control. New Phytol 193:30–50CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rivas, M, Reyes, O, Casal, M (2006) Influence of heat and smoke treatments on the germination of six leguminous shrubby species. Int J Wildland Fire 15:73–80CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roberts, SD, Harrington, CA, Terry, TA (2005) Harvest residue and competing vegetation affect soil moisture, soil temperature, N availability, and Douglas-fir seedling growth. For Ecol Manag 205:333–350CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rolston, MP, Talbot, J (1980) Soil temperatures and regrowth of gorse burnt after treatment with herbicides. New Zeal J Exp Agr 8:55–61CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shaben, J, Myers, JH (2010) Relationships between Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), soil nutrients, and plant diversity in the Garry oak savannah ecosystem. Plant Ecol 207:81–91CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sheppard, AW, Hodge, P, Paynter, Q, Rees, M (2002) Factors affecting invasion and persistence of broom Cytisus scoparius in Australia. J Appl Ecol 39:721–734CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Slesak, RA, Harrington, TB, D’Amato, AW (2016a) Invasive Scotch broom alters soil chemical properties in Douglas-fir forests of the Pacific Northwest, USA. Plant Soil 398:281–289CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Slesak, RA, Harrington, TB, Peter, DH, DeBruler, DG, Schoenholtz, SH, Strahm, BD (2016b) Effects of intensive management practices on 10-year Douglas-fir growth, soil nutrient pools, and vegetation communities in the Pacific Northwest, USA. For Ecol Manag 365:22–33CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, H (1982) Light quality, photoperception, and plant strategy. Annu Rev Plant Physiol 33:481–518CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, JMB, Harlen, RL (1991) Preliminary observations on the seed dynamics of broom (Cytisus scoparius) at Barrington Tops, New South Wales. Plant Prot Q 6:73–78Google Scholar
Sokal, RR, Rohlf, JF (1981) Biometry. 2nd ed. San Francisco: Freeman. Pp 419–421, 427–428Google Scholar
[USDA-NRCS] U.S. Department of Agriculture–Natural Resources Conservation Service (2019) Official Soil Series Descriptions. https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/osdname.aspx Accessed: July 22, 2019Google Scholar
Watt, MS, Clinton, PW, Whitehead, D, Richardson, B, Mason, EG, Leckie, AC (2003a) Above-ground biomass accumulation and nitrogen fixation of broom (Cytisus scoparius L.) growing with juvenile Pinus radiata on a dryland site. For Ecol Manag 184:93–104CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Watt, MS, Whitehead, D, Mason, EG, Richardson, B, Kimberly, MO (2003b) The influence of weed competition for light and water on growth and dry matter partitioning of young Pinus radiata, at a dryland site. For Ecol Manag 183:363–376CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wearne, LJ, Morgan, JW (2004) Community-level changes in Australian subalpine vegetation following invasion by the non-native shrub Cytisus scoparius. J Veg Sci 15:595–604Google Scholar
Williams, PA (1981) Aspects of the ecology of broom (Cytisus scoparius) in Canterbury, New Zealand. New Zeal J Bot 19:31–43CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Young, JA, Young, CG (1992) Seeds of Woody Plants in North America. Portland, OR: Dioscorides Press. P 131Google Scholar