Effects of invasive Ageratina adenophora on mycelial growth of some important soil fungi

摘要

Ageratina adenophora, an invasive alien plant of neo-tropical origin, is known to have adverse impacts on nativespecies, soil nutrients and soil microbial activities. Impact of A. adenophora on ecologically important soil fungi is crucial toknow how it modifies soil microbial community during invasion. We studied mycelial growth of selected ecologically importantsoil fungi (Alternaria alternata, Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus niger, Chaetomium funicola and Fusarium oxysporum) byusing extracts obtained from A. adenophora leaves, litter and root. All types of extracts showed inhibitory effect on fungalgrowth. The degree of inhibition varied with fungal species, extract type and concentration. It is proposed that the inhibitoryactivities of A. adenophora to the soil fungi could bring changes in soil fungal diversity and their composition. It could be areason that affects soil characteristics, native plant species and ecosystem functioning by A. adenophora.