Dangers of Garlic Mustard
- Melissa Feudi
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June 12, 2025
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615 words
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4 minutes
HYPOTHESIS:
Garlic mustard is a contributing factor to amphibian loss in the Northeast due to its chemical compound AITC which is volatile compound called Allyl Isothiocyanate. It has already been proven to have multiple environmental effects on the enviornment outside its native range but also within its native range. According to US EPA, AITC is a biochemical pesticide used as an “insect and animal repellent, feeding suppressant, insecticide, fungicide, herbicide and nematicide” (US EPA, 2013a).
GARLIC MUSTARD:
Garlic mustard or Alliaria petiolata, was first introduced into Long Island where it then spread throughout the Northeast. Garlic mustard is an invasive species in North America creating monocultures and dominating understory. Garlic mustard does die out if left alone after a few years however thats location specific and it can roll across the landscape through seed dispersal. During it's monoculture invasion it will shade out understories and leave chemicals in the soil for a few years as it breaks down. a lot of this chemical can be in runoff water and be deposited in breeding ponds for frogs and toads. it has many positive attributes to humans for living pest free but when the pests are necessary or not even pests it can disrupt all natural functions of a landscape through microscopic interruptions in natural occurring mycorrhiza that effects plant growth and healthy biodiversity.
Let's take a closer look at the effects of AITC...
AITC is used heavily in the sugar industry due to its potent fungicidal activity. In this context, the substance protects sugar beets from fungi during storage (Romanowski, 2000).
AITC is reported to damage DNA and is toxic to aquatic organisms.
AITC EFFECT ON ENVIRONMENT - STUDIES:
One of the most compelling studies is out of Africa where AITC was found to have teratogenic properties and caused frog malformation and mortality.
Effect of allyl isothiocyanate on developmental toxicity in exposed Xenopus laevis embryos
Tick Disease and populations Increases due to Garlic Mustard
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Some benefits like the antibacterial effect of garlic mustard that our landscape hasn't evolved with can be slow killers. Antibacterial compounds kill susceptible bacteria, but some bacteria may have natural resistance or develop mutations that allow them to survive. These resistant bacteria are then free to multiply and become the dominant strains in the population. Lymes is a bacterial disease. It may be more present or aggressive in areas with GM.
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AITC increases tick disease due to its antifungal properties:
Effects on healthy soil
Garlic Mustard disrupts plant-mycorrhizae symbioses. Many spercies rely on those fungal relationships to survive.
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Amphibian deformities have now been reported in over 30 states, as well as Canada.
Garlic Mustard has also been found to threaten the Virgina White butterfly
In one paper the title is "A novel impact of a Novel Weapon: Allelochemicals of Garlic Mustard disrupts the Legume-Rhizobia mutualism" the use of the word weapon is apt. The study focuses on the American hog-peanut and how AITC can impact growth and the plants natural relationship to fungi.
Solutions:
Biochar can amend soil by soaking up compounds. It asks the question - does traditional controlled burning a possible solution to our garlic mustard problem?
References:
USDA Petition for Use of Allyl Isothiocyanate as Organic Fumagant, Effects, Uses, Chemistry
Dept of Pesticide Regulation - California - AITC
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-14593-0
Insecticidal and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Isothiocyanates
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7277602/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10530-015-0913-4
