HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (21) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Barrilleaux, T. C. Articles by Grace, J. B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Barrilleaux, T. C. Articles by Grace, J. B. Agricola Articles by Barrilleaux, T. C. Articles by Grace, J. B.

Growth and invasive potential of Sapium sebiferum (Euphorbiaceae) within the coastal prairie region: the effects of soil and moisture regime¹

⁰ University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Biology Department, Lafayette, Louisiana 70504 USA; and United States Geological Survey-National Wetlands Research Center, 700 Cajundome Boulevard, Lafayette, Louisiana 70506 USA

ABSTRACT

The introduced tree Sapium sebiferum (Euphorbiaceae) is considered a serious threat to the preservation of the coastal prairie region of Louisiana and Texas, although it is currently uncommon in the western part of the region. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of location, soils, and available moisture on the growth and survival of S. sebiferum in coastal prairie. In a field experiment, S. sebiferum mortality was significantly greater at a western site than at central and eastern sites. The greatest mortality and least growth of surviving plants occurred on a soil from the western region, regardless of site. A greenhouse study also found that S. sebiferum growth was lowest on the western soil. Watering frequency significantly affected S. sebiferum growth, except on the western soil. Sapium sebiferum growth responded to both nitrogen and phosphorus additions for all soils. Soil analyses revealed the highest sand, sodium, and phosphorus contents, and much higher electrical conductivity in the western soil. It is concluded that the soil examined from the western region is unfavorable for S. sebiferum growth, though not to the extent to preclude S. sebiferum completely. Evidence suggests that soil salinity may be the primary cause of the poor S. sebiferum growth at the western site.

Key Words: Chinese tallowtree • coastal prairie • Euphorbiaceae • invasions • moisture effects • salinity • Sapium sebiferum • soil effects

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. E. Rogers and E. Siemann Effects of simulated herbivory and resources on Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum, Euphorbiaceae) invasion of native coastal prairie Am. J. Botany, February 1, 2003; 90(2): 243 - 249. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. PIGLIUCCI and A. KOLODYNSKA Phenotypic Plasticity and Integration in Response to Flooded Conditions in Natural Accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh (Brassicaceae) Ann. Bot., August 1, 2002; 90(2): 199 - 207. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]