Agroekologija i ekolo'Ska poljoprivreda

ORIGINAL SCIENTIFIC PAPER Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. - invasive and allergic weed species on the territory of

Branko Konstantinoviel, Maja Meseldlijal, Bojan Konstantinovie2, Nataga Mandiel, Milena Korael Faculty of Agiculture, Trg Dositeja Obradoviea 8, Novi Sad, Srbija ([email protected]) 2Agrimatco Group-Dipkom d.o.o., Novi Sad, Srbija

Abstract All deliberately or accidentally transferred weed species from their natural habitats into new ecosystems, where in the process of competition they repress native ones by invading their areas are considered as invasive species. This definition could be accepted as relative, for all introduced weed species are not invasive, and from the other hand, some native species can behave as invasive ones, spreading fast and aggressively. However, smaller numbers of invasive plants are native ones, while majority of them originate from other countries and from other continents. Allergenic weeds distribute mainly on ruderal sites, homesteads, building sites, suburbs, places along roads and railways. On our areas the most frequent invasive weed speciesthatare alsoallergenic ones are Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Asclepias syriaca L., Iva xanthifolia Nutt., Artemisia vulgaris L., and some species from the family Poaceae. Decision on their management must comprehend the most efficient and ecologically safest control measures. Invasive weed species can be controlled mechanically, chemically, as well as by combination of mechanical and chemical control measures. Application of low toxicity and ecologically acceptable herbicides proved also very efficient in control of allergenic weeds.

Key words: invasive, allergenic, weed, pollen

Introduction The most frequently invasive species spread as accidental companion of different human activities. These species primarily occupy urban settlements and rural habitats, spreading later also on other areas. Invasive weeds are problematic, for they grow rapidly in new areas and spread aggressively, endangering other plants, violating existing water and soil ecosystems by changing their structure and function. Each year, great number of invasive plant is introduced into new areas. However, only limited number of them is able to develop population while inhabiting new habitats (Jauzein, 1998). The major characteristic of invasive plant is their high reproductive capability that implies production of greater seed quantity per plant that easily and fast spread into greater areas and have small demands concerning conditions for emergence and shooting. Beside reproduction by seed, these plants also reproduce vegetative by rhizomes and adventive buds on roots. The additional characteristic of invasive species is their capability of adaptation to different environmental conditions, as well as ability of exploitation that leads to disturbance of existing environmental conditions (Ravinder et al., 2009). Based on previous experience it was established that adventive plant species that inhabit arable areas may become very problematic weeds in conditions of unchanging technology of weed control (Maillet and Lopez-Garcia, 2000). This is possible for biological- ecological characteristics of certain families or phylogenetic relatedness of families can speed up their success as invasive weeds. This is the case with many adventive weed species belonging to the family Asteraceae that became very dangerous and aggressive

45. hrvatski i 5. medunarodni simpozij agronoma Agroecology and Organic Agriculture weeds in , such as Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Erigeron canadensis L., Galinsoga parviflora Cay., Iva xanthifolia Nutt., Solidago canadensis L., Stenactis annua (L.)Ness., Xanthium strumariumL.etc.,aswellasweedspeciesAsclepiassyriacaL. (Asclepiadaceae) (Vrbnieanin et al., 2004; Konstatinovie, 2008). With development of transport and trade in last thousand years, humans accidentally or purposely introduced different plant species in new ecosystems (Mack et al., 2000). Spreading of species that are not native in certain area, i.e. habitat became global problem that rose also in Serbia. In relation to the total diversity of segetal florae that consists of 1009 taxons, i.e. 28% of the total vascular florae in Serbia (Vrbnieanin et al., 2004), 97 ones, i.e. 9.6% belong to group of invasive adventive species. Within these species, the most distributed are representatives of families Asteraceae and Poaceae. According to the study of Igie et al. (2005) at the territory of Novi Sad 44 allergenic weed species were determined asthe most dangerous for human organism. Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. was the wildest distributed and was found in suburbs of the city, as well as on and the neglected places in the city, near banks of the , DTD Channel, i.e. it was established that ragweed populations surround the city. The first data on the existence of A. artemisiifolia L. in our country in beans, potatoes, corn and wheat crops published Maly (1949). Slavnie (1953) recorded this species for the first time in Serbia near , and Novi Sad. From these focuses, A. artemisiifolia L. spread all over , and for the last 60 years invaded all territory of Serbia (Konstantinovic, 2008; Vrbnieanin et al., 2008). Asclepias syriaca L. was introduced in Europe from North America as bee plant, and first written data on its presence in our country are from the beginning of the last century. After this that species slowly spread, and nowadays it is distributed all over Serbia, especially in the northern part of Vojvodina. The most frequently it is found near river banks and on the edges of woods, as well as near banks of the rivers Danube, Sava and Tisa and some smaller rivers in Vojvodina. It occurs on sandy soil (Deliblato desert and Subotica-Horgos desert). Due its small seed that has hairy, web-like extensions, it is easily transferred by wind, and today this species is completely domesticated in the region of Vojvodina (Vrbnieanin et al., 2008). As in certain protected objects it already presents a danger, their population should be continually controlled (Konstantinovic et al., 2008). First data on allergenic weed species Iva xanthifolia Nutt.originate from 1966. Koljadlinski and Sajinovie (1978) established presence of this allergenic weed speices near roads and other non-arable lands. I. xanthifolia is ruderal weed species, but in last ten years its presence was established in field crops such as maize, sugar beet, sunflower and soy bean (Marisavljevie and Veljkovie, 2000). According to the study of Marisavljevie (2007), in the period 2002/2006 I. xanthifolia was found on 24 localities on the territory of Banat, Backa and Srem.

Materials and Methods In the period 2005-2007 on the territory of the municipality Novi Sad, terrain studies of A. artemisiifolia L. distribution, as well as mapping were performed on regulated and disordered green areas and on arable areas. For mapping of ragweed distribution, partially modified method of Braun-Blanquet (1951) was used, and data processing was perfomed by for the purpuse specially designed program Ambrosia Spot Marker. (Konstantinovic et al., 2008). Monitoring of this species was also done because of the occurrence of retrovegetation after mowing. During vegetation period, this allergenic weed species was controlled by multiple mowing, and rough ruderal sites outside settlements were treated by glyphosate at a rate of 1.2-2.4 kg ha-1.

45th Croatian & 5th International Symposium on Agriculture Agroekologija i ekolo'Ska poljoprivreda

During 2009 vegetation period, pollen concentration was monitored at the Faculty of Agriculture by Rotorod sampler pollen collector. Pollen concentration was calculated according to the formulae for Rotorod sampler used in Peter Engle Science Centre (Anonymous, 2009).

Results and Discussion Three years lasting monitoring studies suggested that A. artemisiifolia L. control led to significant reduction of its abundance. Recommended mechanical control measures are predominantly cultivating in germination phase, maintenance of crops without weeds, as well as mowing of non-arable land (Konstantinovie, 2008). Danger of A. artemisiifolia is in its abundance, huge seed production and its allergen effect on people (Konstantinovie et al., 2008). In the period 2005-2007 in Novi Sad, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. was established in 21 city zones on over 200 localities, on the banks of the rivers Danube and Sava, in Petrovaradin, Sremski Karlovci (Picture 1).

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Veternik R° a'' fif = Darvemedar111111 I Velem/eke I/11 - AIM/'' 11, 46kisedski 4.put rrIar 1, o i V 111 (7 -1111/PaZi Ii Denayski sedae Ji 11

0-10 plants/m2 10-20 plants/m2 over 20 plants /m2

Picture 1. The map of ragweed distribution on the territory of Veternik one city zone of Novi Sad

During 2008 control of A. artemisiifolia on the territory of Vojvodina was executed by help of the Province's authorities in 42 municipality where it was controlled mechanically and chemically on the area of over 2 500 ha. Monitoring of this species confirmed occurrence of retrovegetation. Only several species belonging to the family Asteraceae are relevant as allergenic source, and the most important are A. artemisiifolia and Artemisia vulgaris. In the period June September pollination of allergenic plants is the highest. During 2001 in Novi Sad Makra et al. (2005) established the highest number of pollen grains of 3247 per m3 of the air in a day. Measurements of pollen concentrations at the territory of the city of Novi Sad, it was established that in 2004 pollen concentration was decreasing (185 m3), whereas in 2003 average daily quantity was 653 pollen grain per m3 of the air (Konstatinovie et al., 2004;

45. hrvatski i 5. medunarodni simpozij agronoma Agroecology and Organic Agriculture

Kazinczi et al., 2008). During summer 2009, at the Faculty of Agriculture daily monitoring of allergenic weed species Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. pollen concentrations showed that the highest number of pollen grains in the air was in the second half of August with 783 pollen grains per m3 of the air and by the beggining of September with 705 pollen grains per m3 of the air (Graph 1). Measured pollen concentrations manifold exceed the tolerance level and present extremely high and dangerous concentrations for human health.

Number of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. pollen per m3 of the air

800 700 "" 600 500 400 300/". 200 r" 100 0 r a a a a a a a a a a 0:: (3,..9 (P al: al" O9. a'". 0 c5' 0 0Y 'S.O. 0' ' De N' 'I R. /,Y 1RY h O'Y ' 1, n) 0 . 0

Graph 1. Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. pollen concentration in the air of Novi Sad

Conclusion Invasive weed species Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. is widely distributed on the territory of the City of Novi Sad. It builds huge and compact communities, predominantly at ruderal sites. Distribution sites of invasive weed species are ruderal sites, yards, construction sites, suburbs of cities, sites along the roads and railway lines, dams and the edges of forests. In the three years, lasting period (2005-2007), at the territory of the City of Novi Sad, A. artemisiifolia L. was determined on over 100 localities in 21 city zones. Mapping, determination of abundance and distribution of this invasive weed species was performed during vegetation season for each month from April to October, and the highest number of A. artemisiifolia L. was 50 individuals per m2. Control was performed on around 900 ha on annual level, and monitoring confirmed occurrence of retrovegetation. Recommended mechanical measures such as mowing, drilling in the phase of germination, and chemical control measures that included application of glyphosate at a rate of 1.2-2.4 kg ha-1, resulted in significant reduction of invasive weed species on the territory of the City of Novi Sad. During 2009, the average number of pollen grains during vegetation was in interval of 99-783 per m3 of the air, and the highest daily peak occurred in the second half of August.

References Anonymus (2009). Center for Pollen Studies. Available from: http://www.csbsju.edu/pollen/methodsprocedures/pollen_counting_old.htm Braun-Blanquet J. (1951). Pflanzensoziologie. Wien, Osstereich. Igie R., Boa I., Anaekov G., Vukov D. (2005). Atlas alergijskih biljaka Novog Sada. Prirodno- matematieki fakultet u Novom Sadu, Novi Sad.

45th Croatian & 5th International Symposium on Agriculture Agroekologija i ekolo'gka poljoprivreda

Jauzein Ph. (1998). Bilan des especes naturalisees en France mediterraneenne. In; Proceeding 6th Mediterraneen Symposium EWRS, Montpellier, France, 18-25. Kazinczi G., Beres I., Pathy Z., Novak R. (2008). Common rgweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.): A review with the special regards to the results in Hungary: II. Importance and harmful effect, allergy, habitat, allelopathy and beneficial characteristics. Herbologia Vol. 9 (N.1), 93-118. Kolja&inski B., Sajinovie B. (1978). Prilog proueavanju procesa naturalizacije adventivnih biljnih vrsta-Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. 1753 i Iva xanthifolia Nutt. 1818. ( Asteraceae) u Vojvodini. Biosistematika 14, 81-92. Konstantinovie B. (2008). Korovi i njihovo suzbijanje. Poljoprivredni fakultet, Novi Sad. Konstantinovie B., Mesel&ija M., Konstantinovie Bo. (2008). Mapiranje vaznih invazivnih korova i njihovo suzbijanje. ACTA herbologica, Vol.17 (N.2), 53. Konstantinovie B., Mesel&ija M., Mandie N. (2008). Distribution of Asclepias syriaca L. on the territory of Vojvodina and possibilities of its control. Herbologia, Vol. 9 (N.2), 39-46. Mack R.N., Simberloff D., Lonsdale W.M., Evans H., Clout M., and Bazzaz F.A. (2000). Biotic invasions: Causes, epidemiology, global consequences, and control, Ecol. Appl., Vol. 10 (No.3), 689. Maillet J., Lopez-Garcia C. (2000). Wheat criteria are relevant for predicting the invasive capacity of a new agricultural weed? The case of invasive american species in France. Weed Research, Vol.40, 11-26. Maly K. (1940). Notizen zur Flora von Bosnien-Herzegovina. Glasnik zemaljskog muzeja za Bosnu i Hercegovinu, Sarajevo, II, 1-2. Makra L., Juhasz M., Beczi R., Borsos E. (2005). The history and impacts of the airborne Ambrosia (Asteraceae) pollen in Hungary. Grana 44, 57-64. Marisavljevie D., Veljkovie B. (2000). Iva xanthifolia Nutt. - novi korov na nagim poljima i moguenost hemijskog naeina suzbijanja. Zbornik rezimea XI jugoslovenskog simpozijuma o zagtiti bilja sa medunarodnim ueegeem, Zlaibor, 109. Marisavljevie D. (2007): Rasprostranjenost, bioekologke karakteristike i suzbijanje ive (Iva xanthifolia Nutt.). Doktorska disertacija. Ravinder K.K., Shibu J., Harminder P. S., Daizy R. B. (2009). Invasive Plants and Forest Ecosystems. CRC Press. New York. Slavnie Z. (1953). Prilog flori nageg Podunavlj a. Glasnik biologke sekcije. Serija II, bt 4-6. Zagreb. Vrbnieanin S., Kara&ie B., Dajie Stevanovie Z. (2004). Adventivne i invazivne korovske vrste na podrueju Srbije. Acta biologica Jugoslavica, serija G: Acta herbologica, 13 (1): 1-13. Vrbnieanin S., Mali&a G., Stefanovie S., Elezovie I., Stankovie-Kalezie R., Jovanovie- Radovanov K., Marisavljevie D., Pavlovie D., Gavrie M. (2008): Mapping of invasive non- native weed species in Serbia. Book of Abstracts Meeting Invasive Species, Osijek, , 23.

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