Comparison of the Allelopathic Potential of Four Marsh Species

Abstract

A study of allelopathic potential of 4 spp. and 3 soils from a New Jersey [USA] freshwater tidal marsh was made using 4 bioassay species. Ambrosia trifida leaf- and Peltandra virginica leaf- and petiole-extracts almost universally decreased germination and root growth of lettuce, radish, tomato and cucumber. Ambrosia stem-extract inhibited growth but not germination. Bidens laevis leaf-extract was generally inhibitory, but Bidens stem-extract only inhibited germination and growth of lettuce. Typha latifolia leaf-extract was inhibitory to growth and to radish germination at 24 h. Typha root- and rhizome-extracts were the least inhibitory. The marsh soils from cattail, ragweed and mixed vegetation sites at 0-5 and 5-10 cm had no effect on germination of radish or cucumber. Cattail 0-5 cm soil-extract enhanced cucumber growth at 72 h and radish growth at 48 h. Of the bioassay species, lettuce was the most sensitive, radish and tomato somewhat less sensitive, and cucumber the least sensitive.