title: Effects of essential oils from Eucalyptus globulus leaves on soil organisms involved in leaf degradation.
abstract: The replacement of native Portuguese forests by Eucalyptus globulus is often associated with deleterious effects on terrestrial and aquatic communities. Several studies have suggested that such a phenomenon is linked with the leaf essential oils released into the environment during the Eucalyptus leaf degradation process. However, to date, the way these compounds affect leaf degradation in terrestrial systems i.e. by direct toxic effects to soil invertebrates or indirectly by affecting food of soil fauna, is still unknown. In order to explore this question, the effect of essential oils extracted from E. globulus leaves on terrestrial systems was investigated. Fungal growth tests with species known as leaf colonizers (Mucor hiemalis, Alternaria alternata, Penicillium sp., Penicillium glabrum and Fusarium roseum) were performed to evaluate the antifungal effect of essential oils. In addition, a reproduction test with the collembolans Folsomia candida was done using a gradient of eucalyptus essential oils in artificial soil. The influence of essential oils on feeding behaviour of F. candida and the isopods Porcellio dilatatus was also investigated through food avoidance and consumption tests. Eucalyptus essential oils were lethal at concentrations between 2.5-20 µL/mL and inhibited growth of all fungal species between 1.25-5 µL/mL. The collembolan reproduction EC50 value was 35.0 (28.6-41.2) mg/kg and both collembola and isopods preferred leaves without oils. Results suggested that the effect of essential oils in leaf processing is related to direct toxic effects on fungi and soil fauna and to indirect effects on the quality and availability of food to soil invertebrates.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Marine Research (IMAR-CMA), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Tiago
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Natal-da-Luz
authors.forename: José Paulo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Maria José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Lígia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salgueiro
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Canhoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005052:Eucalyptus / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000187:drug effects; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D033321:Isopoda / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D012987:Soil
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D012987:Soil