Allelopathic interactions between the invasive weed Chromolaena odorata and native plant Vitex negundo Tang Saichun*, Pan Yumei1, Wei Chunqiang, Liu Mingchao, Cen Yanxi Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yanshan, Guilin, Guangxi-541006, China 1Karst Dynamics Laboratory MLR and GZAR, (Institute of Karst Geology, CAGS) Guilin-541004, China *Correspondence author: E.Mail: tangs0448@yahoo.com, tangs0448@sina.com
Online published on 7 November, 2012. Abstract To confirm if Vitex negundo can replace the invasive Chromolaena odorata, we studied the allelopathic interactions between C. odorata and V. negundo in pot culture experiment in greenhouse. The aqueous extracts of C. odorata did not inhibit the seed germination, seedling and plant growth of V. negundo, indicating the tolerance of V. negundo to the allelochemicals of C. odorata weed. Contrarily, the aqueous extracts of V. negundo inhibited the seed germination, seedling and plant growth of C. odorata. Field investigation also showed that V. negundo was not affected by C. odorata. These results suggest that V. negundo is a promising native species to replace the invasive C. odorata. Top Keywords Allelopathy, Chromolaena odorata, germination, invasive weed, plant growth, seedling, Vitex negundo. Top |