02228nas a2200229   4500008004100000245014400041210006900185300001300254490000800267520148400275653001601759653002101775653002101796653001301817653001601830653002001846100001601866700001701882700001801899700001501917856006601932       2014                        eng d00aExperimental evidence that invasive grasses use allelopathic biochemicals as a potential mechanism for invasion: Chemical warfare in nature0 aExperimental evidence that invasive grasses use allelopathic bio  a165 -1790 v3853 a<p>Background and aims Bothriochloa spp. are non-native warm-season grasses invading native grasslands of the southern and central Great Plains, altering ecological services these grasslands supply. Our study investigated potential allelopathic effects of the invasive grass species B. ischaemum on native grass germination, growth, and survival. Methods Leachate or litter from Andropogon gerardii (native) or B. ischaemum were applied to two native grass species (A. gerardii; Schizachyrium scoparium). Leachate and litter were also added to B. ischaemum and a water control was included. Germination, above- and belowground biomass, and survival were determined. Results Application of B. ischaemum leachate or litter significantly reduced the germination, growth, and survival of both A. gerardii and S. scoparium but had no conspecific effects, while A. gerardii treatments had no effect on any species. Conclusions Bothriochloa spp. may gain a competitive advantage through allelopathic biochemicals. It is unclear if these allelopathic effects directly hinder competitors or indirectly hinder them through alterations in soil microbial communities, however, reductions in germination of native seeds strongly support direct allelopathic effects. Greater phenolic content in native grass leachates suggest allelopathic biochemical production may not be unique to non-native species and may be a mechanism for maintenance of plant species biodiversity in native systems.</p>10aAllelopathy10aBothriochloa spp10aInvasive species10aLeachate10aLeaf litter10aYellow bluestem1 aGreer, M.J.1 aWilson, G.T.1 aHickman, K.R.1 aWilson, S.  uhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11104-014-2209-3