Evidence for Allelopathy by Residues and Aqueous Extracts of Rye (Secale cereale)

Abstract

Under simulated no-till conditions in the greenhouse, rye (Secale cereale L. ‘Wheeler’) residues reduced emergence of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. ‘Ithaca’) and proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L. # PANMI) by 58 and 35%, respectively, over that obtained with a wood shaving control mulch. Rye shoot tissue inhibited lettuce germination 52% more than root tissue. Petri dish bioassays of residue in soil confirmed phytotoxicity on cress (Lepidium sativum L. ‘Curly’), lettuce, barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli L. Beauv. # ECHCG), and proso millet. Radicle elongation was a more senstive measure of phytotoxicity than germination per se. Phytotoxicity increased as the distance from seeds to rye residues decreased. While rye shoot residues caused 40% greater inhibition of cress radicle elongation in sterile soil than nonsterile soil, barnyardgrass was equally inhibited in both soil regimes. Phytotoxicity decreased in nonsterile soil, indicating that the compounds were degraded by microorganisms. Phytotoxic compounds in shoots were water extractable. Cress and barnyardgrass responded similarly to both aqueous rye extracts and to residues added to soil.