Allelopathic effects of invasive Solidago canadensis L. on germination and growth of native Chinese plant species Yang R.Y., Mei L.X., Tang J.J., Chen X.* College of Life Sciences, Agroecology Institute, Zhejiang University, 368 Zijinghua Road, Hangzhou 310058, China. *Corresponding Author: E-mail: chen-tang@zju.edu.cn
Abstract The phytotoxic potential of S. canadensis L. on local plant species was studied in growth chamber. Ethanol extracts (50 g fresh root and rhizome extracted with 2000 ml 75% ethanol, respectively) were prepared and dilutions 1:15, 1:30 and 1:60 (w: w) of each extract were used for testing seed germination and seedling growth of white clover and 11 other local species (Trifolium repens, Trifolium pretense, Medicago lupulina, Lolium perenne, Suaeda glauca, Plantago virginica, Kummerowia stipulacea, Festuca arundinacea, Ageratum conyzoides, Portulaca oleracea and Amaranthus spinosus). Extracts from both root and rhizome of S. canadensis inhibited the germination and seedling growth of test species, and the inhibitory effect increased with increasing concentration of extracts. At 1:60 (w: w) concentration, the rhizome extract inhibited the seed germination and seedling growth of several native plant species. However, the magnitude of inhibition varied between species, following the order grasses > forbs > legumes. These results imply that allelopathy might be an important mechanism by which S. canadensis has successfully invaded southern China. Top Keywords Ageratum conyzoides, allelopathic effects, Amaranthus spinosus, Festuca arundinacea, Kummerowia stipulacea, Lolium perenne, Medicago lupulina, Plantago virginica, Portulaca oleracea, Suaeda glauca, Solidago canadensis, Trifolium pretense, Trifolium repens. Top |