Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Allelopathic effects account for the inhibitory effect of field-pea (Pisum sativum L.) shoots on wheat growth in dense clay subsoils

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Biology and Fertility of Soils Aims and scope Submit manuscript

A Correction to this article was published on 14 August 2020

This article has been updated

Abstract

The deep-placement of nutrient-rich organic amendments in poorly-structured subsoils can improve subsoil structure and increase grain yields, but its widespread adoption by farmers is limited by the availability and cost of animal manures, the current choice of amendment. Three glasshouse experiments investigated the effectiveness of dried field pea (Pisum sativum L.) shoots (green chop), as green manure, on wheat growth in three subsoils with contrasting soil chemical and physical properties. The growth of wheat plants was greatly suppressed when the green chop was placed in Sodosol and Chromosol subsoils. In contrast, there was a twofold increase in shoot biomass in response to the addition of green chop to Vertosol. Three allelopathic compounds, pisatin, anhydropisatin, and maackian, were identified at higher concentrations in the extracts of remaining green chop residues in the Sodosol and Chromosol, compared to the Vertosol, directly supporting phytotoxicity as the cause of observed inhibitory effects of green chop in these soils. The persistence of the phytotoxicity in the Sodosol might be attributed to its poor aeration caused by poor structure or compaction. Nevertheless, pre-incubation led to microbial decomposition of the allelochemicals in the Sodosol, though at a much slower rate than in the Vertosol. Further studies are needed to determine the time period required for the disappearance of the phytotoxic effects in soils with different physico-chemical properties.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Change history

  • 14 August 2020

    The name of the co-author of the article mentioned above was incorrectly presented.

References

  • AlKhatib K, Libbey C, Boydston R (1997) Weed suppression with brassica green manure crops in green pea. Weed Sci 45:439–445

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • An M, Pratley JE, Haig T (2001) Phytotoxicity of vulpia residues: IV dynamics of allelochemicals during decomposition of vulpia residues and their corresponding phytotoxicity. J Chem Ecol 27:395–409

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arman M (2011) LC-ESI-MS characterisation of phytoalexins induced in chickpea and pea tissues in response to a biotic elicitor of Hypnea musciformis (red algae). Nat Prod Res 25:1352–1360

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong J, Armstrong W (2001) An overview of the effects of phytotoxins on Phragmites australis in relation to die-back. Aquat Bot 69:251–268

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong R, Eagle C, Jarwal S (2007) Application of composted pig bedding litter on a Vertosol and Sodosol soil. 2. Effect on soil chemical and physical fertility. Aust J Exp Agric 47:1341–1350

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blum U, Shafer SR, Lehman ME (1999) Evidence for inhibitory allelopathic interactions involving phenolic acids in field soils: concepts vs. an experimental model. Crit Rev Plant Sci 18:673–693

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bollag JM (1992) Decontaminating soil with enzhymes. Environ Sci Technol 26:1876–1881

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bonanomi G, Sicurezza MG, Caporaso S, Esposito A, Mazzoleni S (2006) Phytotoxicity dynamics of decaying plant materials. New Phytol 169:571–578

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bonanomi G, Incerti G, Antignani V, Capodilupo M, Mazzoleni S (2010) Decomposition and nutrient dynamics in mixed litter of Mediterranean species. Plant Soil 331:481–496

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bonanomi G, Incerti G, Barile E, Capodilupo M, Antignani V, Mingo A, Lanzotti V, Scala F, Mazzoleni S (2011) Phytotoxicity, not nitrogen immobilization, explains plant litter inhibitory effects: evidence from solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy. New Phytol 191:1018–1030

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carlson RE, Dolphin DH (1981) Chromatographic analysis of isoflavonoid accumulation in stressed Pisum sativum. Phytochemistry 20:2281–2284

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Conn C, Dighton J (2000) Litter quality influences on decomposition, ectomycorrhizal community structure and mycorrhizal root surface acid phosphatase activity. Soil Biol Biochem 32:489–496

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cruickshank IAM, Perrin DR (1960) Isolation of a phytoalexin from Pisum sativum L. Nature 187:799–800

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Curlango-Rivera G, Duclos DV, Ebolo JJ, Hawes MC (2010) Transient exposure of root tips to primary and secondary metabolites: impact on root growth and production of border cells. Plant Soil 332:267–275

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dinnes DL, Karlen DL, Jaynes DB, Kaspar TC, Hatfield JL, Colvin TS, Cambardella CA (2002) Nitrogen management strategies to reduce nitrate leaching in tile-drained Midwestern soils. Agron J 94:153–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers BK (2011) Soil microorganisms alleviate the allelochemical effects of a thyme monoterpene on the performance of an associated grass species. PLoS One 6:e26321

    PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fageria N, Baligar V (2003) Upland rice and allelopathy. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 34:1311–1329

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fageria N (2007) Green Manuring in Crop Production. Journal of Plant Nutrition 30 (5):691–719

  • Gill JS, Sale PWG, Tang C (2008) Amelioration of dense sodic subsoil using organic amendments increases wheat yield more than using gypsum in a high rainfall zone of southern Australia. Field Crop Res 107:265–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill J, Sale P, Peries R, Tang C (2009) Changes in soil physical properties and crop root growth in dense sodic subsoil following incorporation of organic amendments. Field Crop Res 114:137–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill J, Clark G, Sale P, Peries R, Tang C (2012) Deep placement of organic amendments in dense sodic subsoil increases summer fallow efficiency and the use of deep soil water by crops. Plant Soil 359:57–69

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Green C, Blackmer A (1995) Residue decomposition effects on nitrogen availability to corn following corn or soybean. Soil Sci Soc Am J 59:1065–1070

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harborne JB (2013) The flavonoids: advances in research since 1980. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Harper JL (1977) Population biology of plants. Academic, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hille M, Den Ouden J (2005) Charcoal and activated carbon as adsorbate of phytotoxic compounds-a comparative study. Oikos 108:202–207

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hodge A, Robinson D, Fitter A (2000) Are microorganisms more effective than plants at competing for nitrogen? Trends Plant Sci 5:304–308

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Isebell RF (2002) The Australian Soil Classification. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood

  • IUSS Working Group (2015) World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2014, update 2015 international soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps. World Soil Resources Reports No 106:192

  • Kato-Noguchi H (2003) Isolation and identification of an allelopathic substance in Pisum sativum. Phytochem 62:1141–1144

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaur H, Kaur R, Kaur S, Baldwin IT (2009) Taking ecological function seriously: soil microbial communities can obviate allelopathic effects of released metabolites. PLoS One 4:e4700

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kraus TE, Dahlgren RA, Zasoski RJ (2003) Tannins in nutrient dynamics of forest ecosystems-a review. Plant Soil 256:41–66

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krishnan GD, Holshauser L, Nissen SJ (1998) Weed control in soybean (Glycine max) with green manure crops. Weed Technol 12:97–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Kushwah S, Reddy DD, Somasundaram J, Srivastava S, Khamparia R (2016) Crop residue retention and nutrient management practices on stratification of phosphorus and soil organic carbon in the soybean-wheat system in Vertisols of Central India. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 47:2387–2395

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacEwan R, Crawford D, Newton P, Clune T (2010) High clay contents, dense soils, and spatial variability are the principal subsoil constraints to cropping the higher rainfall land in south-eastern Australia. Soil Res 48:150–166

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller DA (1996) Allelopathy in forage crop systems. Agron J 88:854–859

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris N, Miller P, Orson J, Froud-Williams R (2010) The adoption of non-inversion tillage systems in the United Kingdom and the agronomic impact on soil, crops and the environment-a review. Soil Tillage Res 108:1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohno T, Doolan K, Zibilske LM, Liebman M, Gallandt ER, Berube C (2000) Phytotoxic effects of red clover amended soils on wild mustard seedling growth. Agric Ecosyst Environ 78:187–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Patrick ZA (1971) Phytotoxic substances associated with the decomposition in soil of plant residues. Soil Sci 111:13–18

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perrin DR, Bottomley W (1962) Studies on Phytoalexins. V. The Structure of Pisatin from Pisum sativum L. J Am Chem Soc 84:1919–1922

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reigosa MJ, Pedrol N, González L (2006) Allelopathy: a physiological process with ecological implications. Springer Science & Business Media, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Rice EL (1984) Allelopathy. Acedemic, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Rice SK, Westerman B, Federici R (2004) Impacts of the exotic, nitrogen-fixing black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) on nitrogen-cycling in a pine-oak ecosystem. Plant Ecol 174:97–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Rugare JT (2018) Allelopathic effects of green manure cover crops on the germination and growth of blackjack (Bidens pilosa L.) and rapoko grass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn]. Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch

    Google Scholar 

  • Sale P, Malcolm B (2015) Amending sodic soils using sub-soil manure: economic analysis of crop trials in the high rainfall zone of Victoria. Aust Farm Bus Manag J 12:22–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt S, Lipson D (2004) Microbial growth under the snow: implications for nutrient and allelochemical availability in temperate soils. Plant Soil 259:1–7

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schoenau JJ, Campbell CA (1996) Impact of crop residues on nutrient availability in conservation tillage systems. Can J Plant Sci 76:621–626

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vance ED, Brookes PC, Jenkinson DS (1987) An extraction method for measuring soil microbial biomass C. Soil Biol Biochem 19:703–707

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wortman SE, Holmes AA, Miernicki E, Knoche K, Pittelkow CM (2017) First-season crop yield response to organic soil amendments: a meta-analysis. Agron J 109:1210–1217

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu H, Pratley J, Lemerle D, An M, Liu D (2007) Autotoxicity of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as determined by laboratory bioassays. Plant Soil 296:85–93

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xuan T, Tawata S, Khanh T, Chung I (2005) Decomposition of allelopathic plants in soil. J Agron Crop Sci 191:162–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Yadvinder-Singh, Bijaw-Singh, Khind C (1992) Nutrient transformations in soils amended with green manures. In: Advances in soil science. Springer, Berlin, pp 237–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuo SP, Wang HM, Ma YQ (2008) Sawtooth effects in wheat stubbles allelopathy. Allelopath J 21:287–298

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This research was supported under Grains Research and Development Corporation Projects funding scheme (project DAV00149).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Sciences, Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Melbourne Campus, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia

    Xiaojuan (Juan) Wang, Sale Peter & Caixian Tang

  2. Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport & Resources, Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3083, Australia

    Zhiqian Liu & Simone Rochfort

  3. Department of Jobs, Precincts & Resources, Horsham, VIC, 3401, Australia

    Roger Armstrong

Authors
  1. Xiaojuan (Juan) Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sale Peter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhiqian Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Roger Armstrong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Simone Rochfort
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Caixian Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiaojuan (Juan) Wang.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 115 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, X.(., Peter, S., Liu, Z. et al. Allelopathic effects account for the inhibitory effect of field-pea (Pisum sativum L.) shoots on wheat growth in dense clay subsoils. Biol Fertil Soils 55, 649–659 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-019-01384-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-019-01384-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation