The Role of Flavonoids in Invasion Strategy of Solidago canadensis L.

This study provides data on the problem of potential complexation of phenolic compounds synthesized by the plants Solidago canadensis L. and Solidago gigantea Ait. with ammonium forms of nitrogen, partly immobilized in the soil. A comparative analysis of secondary metabolites of the studied plants was performed by HPLC. The leaves of invasively active Solidago canadensis contain nine times more rutin than the plants of Solidago gigantea. Adding to the leaf extracts (v/v1/20) aqueous ammonia solution to pH 8.0 on the chromatograms decreases the intensity or completely causes peaks of flavonoids to disappear; instead, there are peaks of new polar substances (tR 1.5 and 2.0 min). The selective effect of the phenol-ammonium complex on various plant species was revealed. At a concentration of 20 μg/mL, these substances stimulated the formation of lateral roots in soybean seedlings and chrysanthemum cuttings. The suppression of root growth in radish seedlings occurred at a concentration of flavonoids in the extract of 25 μg/mL. In addition, a positive chemotaxis of the Pseudomonas putida (PGPR) was detected in the nitrogen-containing complex based on rutin (5 μg/mL). The identified feature allows PGPR colonization of the root system of Solidago canadensis with corresponding changes in the structure of the microbial community. The ability of the obtained nitrogen-containing polar complexes to regulate the growth processes of plants at extremely low concentration points to promising research in this direction.

Solidago gigantea Ait. and Calamagrostis epigejos (L) Roth invasive plants as potential forage for goats

The experiment focused on feed evaluation was conducted with goats to determine the feeding value of two aggressive weeds, the giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) and the bushgrass (Calamagrostis epigejos). Studied plants at the pre bloom stage were evaluated for feeding value by 7-month-old castrated goats (n=5 per group, BW=25.0 kg). All animals received no supplemental feed. The two plants differed in content of dry matter (DM) (266 vs. 394 g/kg) as well as in crude protein (119 vs. 86g), crude fibre (222 vs. 317 g) and N-free extract (523 vs. 447 g) per kg DM. In this study, total daily DM intake from giant goldenrod and bushgrass was similar (666 vs. 689 g/goat). Apparent digestibility of these plants was similar for organic matter (58-59%), but differed for crude protein (71 vs 53%) and N-free extract (72-62%). The values of total digestible nutrients (55.9-53.4%), net energy for maintenance (NEm: 4.90-4.54 MJ) and net energy for lactation (NEl: 5.16-4.91 MJ) per kg DM were similar. The study concluded that Solidago gigantea and Calamagrostis epigejos aggressive plants could be interesting feed for goats due to their feeding values. In addition, both of these aggressive weeds are relatively easily available.

NEW FINDINGS OF ALIEN PLANT ERGAZIOPHYTES IN THE LEFT BANK FOREST-STEPPE OF UKRAINE

The article summarizes the data on the distribution of 25 alien vascular plants in the territory of the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. All of them are ergaziophytes (mostly ornamental plants) escaped from their areas of cultivation. Ten species (Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees, Iberis umbellata L., Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv., Ricinus communis L., Hemerocallis fulva (L.) L., Iris germanica L., Salvia sclarea L., Mirabilis jalapa L., Sorghum drummondii (Nees ex Steud.) Millsp. & Chase and Viola sororia Willd.) have been firstly found as wild plants in this region. Four species (Rudbeckia triloba L., Euphorbia marginata Pursh, Portulaca grandiflora Hook. and Solanum lycopersicum L.) are new for Poltava region, one(Solidago gigantea W.T. Aiton) – for Sumy region, two (Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Spreng. and Salvia sclarea L.) – for Kharkiv city and Kharkiv region. The data of distribution of Amaranthus caudatus L. in the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine were confirmed by herbarium specimen. Other eight species (Allium schoenoprasum L., Calendula officinalis L., Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (L.) G.L. Nesom, Dianthus barbatus L., Phedimus spurius (M. Bieb.) 't Hart, Phlox paniculata L., Solanum tuberosum L.) belong to locally distributed alien plants. Based on analysis of the chorology of these species, it is found that eight alien plants have North-American origin, other main regional chorological groups are represented by species from Eastern Asia (4), South America (3) and Europe (3). Major part of the found alien plants includes ephemerophytes in the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine (22 species), only three representatives (Heliopsis helianthoides, Phedimus spurius and Solidago gigantea) are naturalized on this territory and belong to the stable floristic component. Two species (Hemerocallis fulva and Iris germanica) are sporadically distributed in different locations, but represented by vegetative clones only and have not been considered as elements of the spontaneous flora. Key words: adventive plants, new localities, Forest-Steppe zone.