Paper Details
Full metadata, abstract, citation, and access status.
Comparative analysis of volatile oil composition of noxious exotic plant Mikania micrantha and its indigenous akin Mikania cordata
Abstract
Mikania micrantha and M. cordata (Asteraceae) are plants of great concern in China. The former is known globally as a “plant killer”, while the latter is a harmless indigenous species. They form an ideal congeneric pair for comparative study to elucidate the invasive mechanisms of alien weeds. In this study, we analyzed the volatile oils from various tissues of the two plants using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and compared their chemical compositions. Both Mikania micrantha and M. cordata were rich in sesquiterpenes. β-Farnesene, β-caryophyllene, and α-zingiberene were their shared ingredients. Compared to M. cordata, M. micrantha had more detected compounds in its roots (24), stems (32), and flowers (43). Maximum differences were found in the volatile oil composition and content between the two plants. This study is valuable for exploring the allelopathy, prevention, and management of M. micrantha.
