Original paper

Solidago canadensis invasion enhances wheat susceptibility to aphids and pathogens through alterations in plant metabolism

Wu, Miao; Liu, Huiyuan; Xie, Zhaohui; Zhang, Yingli; Yang, Siyuan; Lin, Yule; Guo, Jiahui; Wang, Dingli

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Entomologia Generalis Volume 45 Number 5 (2025), p. 1523 - 1532

published: Nov 18, 2025
published online: Oct 23, 2025
manuscript accepted: Aug 18, 2025
final revised version received: Aug 11, 2025
manuscript revision requested: Aug 4, 2025
manuscript received: Jul 2, 2025

DOI: 10.1127/entomologia/3798

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ArtNo. ESP146004505025, Price: 29.00 €

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Abstract

Solidago canadensis, a widespread invasive plant, is known to affect the structure, function, and stability of native plant communities through allelopathy and resource competition. However, its impact on crop performance and herbivores and pathogens of crops remains poorly understood. In this open side greenhouse study, we investigated the effects of S. canadensis invasion on wheat (Triticum aestivum) growth, physiological and biochemical traits, as well as the abundance of aphids and pathogen damage, under different invasion intensities (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%) with or without activated carbon addition. Our results showed that S. canadensis reduced wheat total biomass by 47% at 75% invasion intensity and increased aphid abundance by 64% and pathogen damage by 110%, linked to increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and declines in lignin, cellulose, phenolics, and DIMBOA in leaves. Moreover, activated carbon treatment increased wheat total biomass by 9%, reduced oxidative stress (SOD by 18%, POD by 19%, CAT by 27%, MDA by 15%), and enhanced defensive metabolites (lignin by 10%, cellulose by 8%, phenolics by 13%, DIMBOA by 13%). These findings suggest that S. canadensis allelopathy weakens wheat resistance by altering primary and secondary metabolism, thereby facilitating performance of herbivore and pathogen.

Keywords

Canada goldenrod • invasive species • activated carbon • allelopathy • multitrophic interactions • plant defense • plant nutrition • oxidative stress