Metabolomic Insights into the Allelopathic Effects of Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle Volatile Organic Compounds on the Germination Process of Bidens pilosa (L.)

Background/Objectives: This study explores the allelopathic effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the invasive species Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle on the seed germination of Bidens pilosa. A. altissima</i&...

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Main Authors:	Leonardo Bruno, Diana M. Mircea, Fabrizio Araniti
Format:	Article
Language:	English
Published:	MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:	Metabolites
Subjects:	allelopathy alien species metabolomics plant metabolism phytotoxicity
Online Access:	https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/1/12
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author	Leonardo Bruno Diana M. Mircea Fabrizio Araniti
author_facet	Leonardo Bruno Diana M. Mircea Fabrizio Araniti
author_sort	Leonardo Bruno
collection	DOAJ
description	<b>Background/Objectives:</b> This study explores the allelopathic effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the invasive species <i>Ailanthus altissima</i> (Mill.) Swingle on the seed germination of <i>Bidens pilosa</i>. <i>A. altissima</i> is known for releasing allelopathic VOCs that suppress the growth of neighbouring plants, contributing to its invasive potential. <b>Methods:</b> To examine these effects, we exposed <i>B. pilosa</i> seeds to varying concentrations of <i>A. altissima</i> VOCs, assessing germination rates and metabolic changes through untargeted metabolomics. <b>Results:</b> Our findings revealed that VOCs from <i>A. altissima</i> significantly inhibited the germination speed and overall germination rates of <i>B. pilosa</i> in a dose-dependent manner. Metabolomic profiling showed disruptions in energy and amino acid metabolism pathways, specifically involving delayed breakdown of starch and key metabolites, indicating inhibition of critical metabolic processes during early germination stages. This metabolic delay likely impairs <i>B. pilosa</i>’s establishment and competitiveness, enhancing <i>A. altissima</i>’s ecological dominance. <b>Conclusions:</b> The results underscore the potential of VOC-based allelopathy as a mechanism of plant invasion, offering insights into the role of VOCs in interspecies plant competition and ecosystem dynamics.
format	Article
id	doaj-art-67de59195ad7492894901d9dc308b043
institution	Kabale University
issn	2218-1989
language	English
publishDate	2025-01-01
publisher	MDPI AG
record_format	Article
series	Metabolites
spelling	doaj-art-67de59195ad7492894901d9dc308b0432025-01-24T13:41:09ZengMDPI AGMetabolites2218-19892025-01-011511210.3390/metabo15010012Metabolomic Insights into the Allelopathic Effects of <i>Ailanthus altissima</i> (Mill.) Swingle Volatile Organic Compounds on the Germination Process of <i>Bidens pilosa</i> (L.)Leonardo Bruno0Diana M. Mircea1Fabrizio Araniti2Department of Biology, Ecology, and Hearth Sciences (DiBEST), University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata, ItalyMediterranean Agroforestry Institute (IAM), Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, SpainDepartment of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences—Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy<b>Background/Objectives:</b> This study explores the allelopathic effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the invasive species <i>Ailanthus altissima</i> (Mill.) Swingle on the seed germination of <i>Bidens pilosa</i>. <i>A. altissima</i> is known for releasing allelopathic VOCs that suppress the growth of neighbouring plants, contributing to its invasive potential. <b>Methods:</b> To examine these effects, we exposed <i>B. pilosa</i> seeds to varying concentrations of <i>A. altissima</i> VOCs, assessing germination rates and metabolic changes through untargeted metabolomics. <b>Results:</b> Our findings revealed that VOCs from <i>A. altissima</i> significantly inhibited the germination speed and overall germination rates of <i>B. pilosa</i> in a dose-dependent manner. Metabolomic profiling showed disruptions in energy and amino acid metabolism pathways, specifically involving delayed breakdown of starch and key metabolites, indicating inhibition of critical metabolic processes during early germination stages. This metabolic delay likely impairs <i>B. pilosa</i>’s establishment and competitiveness, enhancing <i>A. altissima</i>’s ecological dominance. <b>Conclusions:</b> The results underscore the potential of VOC-based allelopathy as a mechanism of plant invasion, offering insights into the role of VOCs in interspecies plant competition and ecosystem dynamics.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/1/12allelopathyalien speciesmetabolomicsplant metabolismphytotoxicity
spellingShingle	Leonardo Bruno Diana M. Mircea Fabrizio Araniti Metabolomic Insights into the Allelopathic Effects of <i>Ailanthus altissima</i> (Mill.) Swingle Volatile Organic Compounds on the Germination Process of <i>Bidens pilosa</i> (L.) Metabolites allelopathy alien species metabolomics plant metabolism phytotoxicity
title	Metabolomic Insights into the Allelopathic Effects of <i>Ailanthus altissima</i> (Mill.) Swingle Volatile Organic Compounds on the Germination Process of <i>Bidens pilosa</i> (L.)
title_full	Metabolomic Insights into the Allelopathic Effects of <i>Ailanthus altissima</i> (Mill.) Swingle Volatile Organic Compounds on the Germination Process of <i>Bidens pilosa</i> (L.)
title_fullStr	Metabolomic Insights into the Allelopathic Effects of <i>Ailanthus altissima</i> (Mill.) Swingle Volatile Organic Compounds on the Germination Process of <i>Bidens pilosa</i> (L.)
title_full_unstemmed	Metabolomic Insights into the Allelopathic Effects of <i>Ailanthus altissima</i> (Mill.) Swingle Volatile Organic Compounds on the Germination Process of <i>Bidens pilosa</i> (L.)
title_short	Metabolomic Insights into the Allelopathic Effects of <i>Ailanthus altissima</i> (Mill.) Swingle Volatile Organic Compounds on the Germination Process of <i>Bidens pilosa</i> (L.)
title_sort	metabolomic insights into the allelopathic effects of i ailanthus altissima i mill swingle volatile organic compounds on the germination process of i bidens pilosa i l
topic	allelopathy alien species metabolomics plant metabolism phytotoxicity
url	https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/15/1/12
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Metabolomic Insights into the Allelopathic Effects of <i>Ailanthus altissima</i> (Mill.) Swingle Volatile Organic Compounds on the Germination Process of <i>Bidens pilosa</i> (L.)

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