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Conservatoire botanique national des Pyrénées et de Midi-Pyrénées

Sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) – A new pest in Eurasian sand areas? / P. Török (2021) 

Public Citation Titre : Sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) – A new pest in Eurasian sand areas? Type de document : Numérique Auteurs : P. Török ; D. Schmidt ; Z. Bátori ; E. Aradi ; A. Kelemen ; A. A. Hábenczyus ; C. P. Diaz ; C. Tölgyesi ; R. W. Pál ; N. Balogh ; E. Tóth ; G. Matus ; Jana Táborská ; G. Sramkó ; L. Laczkó ; S. Jordán ; J. Sonkoly Année de publication : 2021 Importance : 38 p. Langues : Anglais (eng) Catégories : [CBNPMP-Thématique] Plantes subspontanées, naturalisées, envahissantes Mots-clés : Sporobolus cryptandrus A.Gray, 1848 Résumé : For the effective control of an invasive species, gathering as much information as possible on its ecology, establishment and persistence in the subjected communities is of utmost importance. We aimed to review the current distribution and characteristics of Sporobolus cryptandrus (sand dropseed), an invasive C4 grass species of North American origin recently discovered in Hungary. We aimed to provide information on (i) its current distribution paying special attention to its invasion in Eurasia; (ii) the characteristics of the invaded habitats in Central Europe; (iii) seed bank formation and germination characteristics, crucial factors in early establishment; and (iv) the effects of its increasing cover on vegetation composition. Finally, we aimed to (v) point out further research directions that could enable us to understand the invasion success of this potential invasive species. Field surveys uncovered large stands of the species in Central and Eastern Hungary with most of the locations in the former, especially the Kiskunság region. The species invaded disturbed stands of dry and open sand grasslands, closed dune slack grasslands and it also penetrates into natural open sand grasslands from neighbouring disturbed habitats. Increasing cover of Sporobolus cryptandrus caused a decline in species richness and abundance of subordinate species both in the vegetation and seed banks, but a low density of Sporobolus cryptandrus can even have a weak positive effect on these characteristics. Viable seeds of Sporobolus were detected from all soil layers (2.5 cm layers measured from the surface to 10 cm in depth), which indicates that the species is able to form a persistent seed bank (1,114 to 3,077 seeds/m2 with increasing scores towards higher abundance of the species in vegetation). Germination of Sporobolus cryptandrus was negatively affected by both litter cover and 1 cm deep soil burial. To sum up, Sporobolus cryptandrus can be considered as a transformer invasive species, whose spread forms a high risk for dry sand and steppe grasslands in Eurasia. We can conclude that for the effective suppression of the species it is necessary: (i) to clarify the origin of the detected populations; (ii) to assess its competitive ability including its potential allelopathic effects; (iii) to assess its seed bank formation potential in habitats with different abiotic conditions; and (iv) to assess the possibility of its suppression by natural enemies and management techniques such as mowing or livestock grazing. Identifiant : DOI : 10.1101/2021.07.05.451115 Permalink : https://biblio.cbnpmp.fr/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=152892 Török, P., Schmidt, D., Bátori, Z., Aradi, E., Kelemen, A., Hábenczyus, A.A., Diaz, C.P., Tölgyesi, C., Pál, R.W., Balogh, N., Tóth, E., Matus, G., Táborská, J., Sramkó, G., Laczkó, L., Jordán, S., Sonkoly, J., 2021 . Sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) – A new pest in Eurasian sand areas? , . 38 pp.

Documents numériques

Article (2021) URL

The role of sterile plant lines in the management of invasive and allergenic plants in urban environments / Szilvia Kisvarga in Urban forestry & urban greening, 113 (November 2025) 

Public Citation [article]  inUrban forestry & urban greening > 113 (November 2025) . - 129083 Titre : The role of sterile plant lines in the management of invasive and allergenic plants in urban environments Type de document : Imprimé Auteurs : Szilvia Kisvarga ; Katalin Horotán ; Zsanett Istvánfi ; Jana Táborská ; Dániel István Mosonyi ; László Orlóci Année de publication : 2025 Article en page(s) : 129083 Résumé : Urbanization is accelerating worldwide, intensifying ecological and public health challenges linked to invasive and allergenic plant species. Sterile ornamental cultivars have been proposed as a promising response, offering the potential to reduce allergenic pollen loads and limit invasive spread. However their deployment in urban green infrastructure cannot be assessed solely on biological grounds; it requires a broader understanding of ecological trade-offs, regulatory frameworks, public acceptance, and long-term economic feasibility. Ecologically, sterility may reduce pollen and seed production, but it can also simultaneously limit floral resources for pollinators, decrease genetic diversity in nursery stocks, and even risk fertility reversion through hybridization or mutation. These trade-offs highlight the need for diversified planting schemes that combine sterile lines with pollinator-supporting species, as well as continuous genetic and ecological monitoring. From a regulatory standpoint, heterogeneity across regions complicates implementation, with some countries treating sterility as a biosafety advantage, while others impose GMO-related restrictions that delay commercialization. Public acceptance further shapes outcomes: while residents may welcome reductions in nuisance fruiting and allergens, cultural attachment to fruiting trees and skepticism toward biotechnological breeding can hinder the adoption of these measure. Effective communication and demonstration projects are therefore crucial for building trust and highlighting both benefits and limitations. Economic considerations also play a decisive role: although the propagation of sterile lines often entails higher initial costs, potential long-term savings in maintenance, allergen management, and invasive species control can justify the investment if supported by reliable cost–benefit analyses. Taken together, sterility should be regarded not as a universal solution but as a targeted instrument within integrated urban greening strategies. Its success depends on aligning ecological performance with regulatory clarity, public trust, and economic justification, ensuring that sterile cultivars contribute to healthier, more resilient, and socially meaningful urban landscapes. Identifiant : DOI : 10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129083 Permalink : https://biblio.cbnpmp.fr/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=156450 Kisvarga, S., Horotán, K., Istvánfi, Z., Táborská, J., Mosonyi, D.I., Orlóci, L., 2025 . The role of sterile plant lines in the management of invasive and allergenic plants in urban environments. Urban forestry & urban greening, 113: 129083.

Documents numériques

Article (2025) URL