CONTROL OF INVASIVE AND UNWANTED PLANT SPECIES IN THE U.S. FORESTS WITH ENDOCIDES

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: MCINTIRE-STENNIS
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1006310
• Project Start Date: Apr 20, 2015
• Project End Date: Mar 31, 2020
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
BOX 6109
NACOGDOCHES,TX 75962

Performing Department
College of Forestry & Agriculture

Non Technical Summary
Invasive species have caused significant environmental, economic, and human health problems, particularly loss of native ecosystem function and biodiversity and some major economic losses in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries and wildlife management. In the southeastern U.S., exotic Chinese tallow tree, kudzu, tree of heaven, Brazilian pepper tree, golden bamboo, Chinese privet, and Japanese climbing fern are among the most aggressive invasive plant species in the forests while sweetgum, red maple, and yaupon are common native trees or shrubs but often undesirable in the forest management. Conventional pesticide, biological and mechanical control methods of these invasive or unwanted species are costly, and either largely ineffective or not environmental friendly. A novel philosophy to successfully control the noxious invasive species is required.Recently, investigators at Stephen F. Austin State University developed novel endocides (endogenous biocide) concept and approach to control invasive species. Both greenhouse and field tests in some species showed promising results. The primary objective of this project is to develop endocide methods to control these ten major invasive or unwanted plant species in U.S. forests by laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments. The success of this project will also establish a prototype of our endocide technology in application to other invasive species.

Animal Health Component

70%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

30%

Applied

70%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
123	2300	1140	100%

Knowledge Area
123 - Management and Sustainability of Forest Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
2300 - Weeds;

Field Of Science
1140 - Weed science;

Keywords

endocides

invasive species

tallow tree

kudzu

tree of heaven

chinese privet

sweetgum

yaupon

Goals / Objectives
The primary objective of this project is to develop endocide methods to control ten major exotic or native invasive plant species in U.S. forests. This study is focused on "Forestry Research" as defined in the Public LAW 87-788, the McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Program and the funding purposes "to increase forestry research in the production, utilization, and protection of forestland". The project directly addresses the FY 2015 funding high priority described in the current McIntire-Stennis Strategic Plan: "Sustaining Healthy and Productive Forests: An Investment in America's Competitive Position in the Global Marketplace" and involves several of the seven research priorities: 1) science of integration; 2) forest ecosystem services; 3) human attitudes and behaviors; 4) conflict, uncertainty, and decision-making; 5) technological advancements, productivity, and forest applications; 6) agroforestry and 7) urban ecosystems and societal challenge on Changing Climate of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The success of this project will also establish a prototype of our endocide technology in application to other forest invasive species.

Project Methods
Ten invasive or unwanted plant species commonly found in the southeastern U.S. forests will be investigated in the endocide experiments. Of these species, Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi), Chinese tallow tree (Triadica sebifera (L.) Small), tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima (P. Mill.) Swingle), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.), and red maple (Acer rubrum L.) are trees, golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea Riviere & C. Riviere), Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense Lour.), and yaupon (Ilex vomitoria Sol. Ex Alton) are shrubs or small trees, and kudzu (Pueraria lobata (Wild.) Ohwi)) and Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum (Thunb.) Sweet) are vines.Sweetgum, red maple, and yaupon are native but often undesirable species in the forests; the other seven species are all exotic invasive species in the forests. These species also represent different taxonomic groups of vascular plants. Japanese climbing fern is a fern, golden bamboo is a monocotyledonous plant, and the others are dicotyledonous species.The endocides of the tree or shrub species will be ethanol (95%) extracts of leaves, branches, and bark, respectively for each species. For the two vine species, the ethanol (95%) extracts of whole plants will be used as experimental endocides. For foliar applications in each of the ten species, various concentrations of the extracts (with tap water as the solvent and surfactant will be investigated in the greenhouse and field tests. For eight tree/shrub species, additional investigations will be conducted: various concentrations of the extracts with bark oil EC Blue as the solvent will also be investigated in cut stump treatments, hack and squirt applications, and basal bark applications. In addition to determine effective concentrations of the extracts, interval and volume will be investigated in each endocide experiment in the greenhouse tests or initial field tests. For each of these species, chemical constituents of experimental endocides will be investigated to determine possible bioactive compounds or fractions by bio-guided assays using intact plants. Also, selectivity of each endocide over some nearby non-target species will be investigated in both greenhouse and field experiments. Particularly, the toxicity of the endocides on selected major timber species (e.g., Pinus spp. and Quercus spp.) and wildlife food and habitat species (e.g., Callicarpa americana L. and Desmodium sp.) will be tested. Effects of endocides on the testing plant will be measured as mortality and injury rate. The experimental results will be analyzed by statistical analyses methods.

Progress 04/20/15 to 03/31/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The success of this project will provide a prototype for endocide technology, a new environmentally-friendly approach to control invasive plants. Upon completion of the project or during the project, we will contact government agencies and industry for possible commercialization of the endocide technology. The efforts to deliver our new knowledge to people include scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentation in national and regional academic and professional meetings, extension and outreach to the forest and natural resource management, herbicide, and environmental industry. If any very promising active endocidal compounds are identified, mass production methods in both extraction and synthesis will be developed. Changes/Problems:Two staff members participating the project left the university to pursue other opportunities during the summer 2019. Also, the PI for this project retired suddenly in October 2019 and left the community. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Presentations to regional, state, national and international meetings of invasive species control. These meetings were heldin Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Washington, DC. The main audience for these presentations were researchers and managers that work with invasive species control. These researchers and managers held positions in federal agencies and state agencies, as well asprivate industry in the land/lake management and herbicide fields. Also attending these presentations were forest landowners. Trainingwas provided to a USDA Forest Service scientist. This training included demonstration of plant extraction and chemical profiling equipment and procedures used in endocide science. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Findings were disseminated to communities of interest by way of presentations and journal publications. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Development of endocide methods to control 10 major invasive or unwanted plant species in U.S. forests. These methods were achieved through laboratory, green house and field experiments.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Gao, Ruixin, Zushang Su, Yanbao Yin, Linni Sun, and Shiyou Li. Germplasm, chemical constituents, biological activities, utilization, and control of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera (L.) Small). Biological Invasions

Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems:Two staff members participating the project left the university to pursue other opportunities during the summer 2019. We are looking to hire a scientisit to paricipate in the project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The investigators made 32 invited presentsations at regional, state, national, and international meetings of invasive species control in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Washington DC. The main audience are the researchers and managers in invasive species control from federal and state and agencies, forest landowners, and professionals from land/lake management and herbicide industry. The investigators had provided a week of training about endocide development for a USDA Forest Service scientist. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Initial results were dissominated to public and professionals via the publication of a journal article and presentations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to identify endocidal compounds from the target species and investigate the selectivity of some endocides against other plant species.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During the report period, we collected plant matters and investigated chemical investigation of endocidal compounds from Chinese tallow, giant salvinia, cogongrass, and pigweed. Activities of the isolated agents were investigated against the producing species.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Ping Wang, Fuqiang Zhao, Xiaohua Deng, Bo Cui, and Shiyou Li. Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Bioactivities of Amaranthus L.

Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:The success of this project will provide a prototype for endocide technology, a new environmentally-friendly approach to control invasive plants. Upon completion of the project or during the project, we will contact government agencies and industry for possible commercialization of the endocide technology. The efforts to deliver our new knowledge to people include scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentation in national and regional academic and professional meetings, extension and outreach to the forest and natural resource management, herbicide, and environmental industry. If any very promising active endocidal compounds are identified, mass production methods in both extraction and synthesis will be developed. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The investigators made36 presentsations at regional, state, national, and international meetings of invasive species control in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The main audience are the researchers and managers in invasive species control from federal and state and agencies, forest landowners, and professionals from land/lake management and herbicide industry. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Initial results were dissominated to public and professionals via the publication of a journal article and presentations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to identify endocidal compounds from the target species (e.g., Chinese tallow and cogongrass) and investigate the selectivity of some endocides against other plant species.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During the report period, we collected plant matters and investigated chemical investigation of endocidal compounds from Chinese tallow, giant salvinia, and cogongrass. Activities of the isolated agents were investigated against the producing species.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Li, S., P. Wang, Z. Su, E. Lozano, O. LaMaster, J.B. Grogan, Y. Weng, T. Decker, J. Findeisen, M. McGarrity. 2018. Endocide-induced abnormal growth forms of invasive giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta). Scientific Reports 8: 25986; doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-25986-5.

Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The success of this project will provide a prototype for endocide technology, a new environmentally-friendly approach to control invasive plants. Upon completion of the project or during the project, we will contact government agencies and industry for possible commercialization of the endocide technology. The efforts to deliver our new knowledge to people include scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentation in national and regional academic and professional meetings, extension and outreach to the forest and natural resource management, herbicide, and environmental industry. If any very promising active endocidal compounds are identified, mass production methods in both extraction and synthesis will be developed. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?32 presentsations about the research results were made to professionals in forest and aquatic plant management, researchers in chemistry, state and federal agencies, foundations, and concerned citizens of invasive species control in Texas, Louisiana, and Washington DC. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Initial results were dissominated to public and professionals via 32 presentations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue to identify endocidal compounds from one or two species and investigate the selectivity of some endocides against plant species and toxicity against fish.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During the report period, we collected plant matters and investigated chemical investigation of endocidal compounds from Chinese tallow, golden bamboo, yaupon, sweetgum, kudzu, and Brazilian pepper tree. Activities of the isolated agents were investigated against the producing species and fish.

Publications

Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period, the research team worked closely with T&M Forest Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and forest management and environmental conservation organizations in East Texas in collection of plant materials and field tests of endocides. Academic, industry. and government professional in invasive speciescontrolwere reached by thepublished journal article and presentations. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?28 presentsations about the research results were made in regional conferences of invasive species control, state agencies, lake/river management teams, and concerned citizens in Texas and Louisiana. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Initial research results were dissminated by the publication of an journal article andconference presentations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To identify endocidal compounds from one or two species and investigate the selectivity of some endocides against plant species and toxicity against fish.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During the report period, detail chemical investigation of endocidal compounds from Chinese tallow, golden bamboo, yaupon,and Brazilian pepper tree were under investigation. One peer-reviewed article was published.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Li, S., P. Wang, W. Yuan, Z. Su, and S.H. Bullard. 2016. Endocidal regulation of secondary metabolites in the producing organisms. Scientific Reports 6, 29315; doi: 10.1038/srep29315.

Progress 04/20/15 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:The success of this project will provide a prototype for endocide technology, a new environmentally-friendly approach to control invasive plants. Upon completion of the project or during the project, we will contact government agencies and industry for possible commercialization of the endocide technology. The efforts to deliver our new knowledge to people include scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentation in national and regional academic and professional meetings, extension and outreach to the forest and natural resource management, herbicide, and environmental industry. If any very promising active endocidal compounds are identified, mass production methods in both extraction and synthesis will be developed. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Initial research results were presentedin papers for publications What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To identify more active extracts, fractionsand compounds as endocides to control the producing species

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During the report period,four species including Chinese tallow, golden bamboo, yaupon,and Brazilian pepper treewere preliminarily investigated. One promising endocidal fraction from theextracts of Chinese tallow was identified. The tallow seedlings were injured within several hours and killed within several days by foliar spray ofthis fraction at the 1% concentration. From this fraction, one active compound has been identified and isolated. Golden bamboo extracts showed promising endocidal activities against the bamboo. Yauponfruit extractsexhibited endocidal activity againstyaupon leaves and stems. Thewood matter and seeds of Brazilian pepper treewere collected and the identification of bioactive fraction and compounds is in process.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Gao, Ruixin, Zushang Su, Yanbao Yin, Linni Sun, and Shiyou Li. Germplasm, chemical constituents, biological activities, utilization, and control of Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera (L.) Small). Biological Invasions
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Li, Shiyou, Ping Wang, Wei Yuan, Zushang Su, and Steven H. Bullard. Endocidal regulation of secondary metabolites in the producing organisms.