Abstract Detail

Ecophysiology

Grubbs, Kunsiri Chaw [1], Hunnicutt, Jessica [2].

Allelopathic Mechanisms of Chinese Privet (Ligustrum sinense) as a Potential Herbicide.

Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense, Oleaceae) was introduced to the U.S. as an ornamental plant. Later, the plant became naturalized and is now considered one of the most invasive species found in the Southeastern U.S. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of allelopathic compounds from the Chinese privet on the development of potential biological herbicides. The investigators examined the inhibitory effects of various concentrations of plant extracts (called “leachate”) from the leaves and mature fruits. The experiments were to test the leachate’s effects on the emergence, growth and development of some important crops and weed-like species. We used a total of seven plants (wheat, rye, tomato, radish, red clover, alfalfa and sunflower). We prepared the leachates using water as a solvent at concentration levels of 1, 5, 10, and 15% (weight by volume) respectively. To test the allelopathic mechanism of leachates on seed germination and development, 10 seeds of each kind were placed in separate Petri-dishes containing 2 layers of filter paper, which were moistened with 5 ml of leachates from leaf and mature fruit respectively with 10 replications. Seed germination percentage, root & shoot weight measurement, and the image recording of each treatment were observed and record after two weeks. The results showed that the leachates from both leaf and fruit extracts showed strong inhibition in plant growth. The effect was significantly stronger in the fruit extract than the leaf extract. Though, the leaf extracts did not significantly inhibit the seed germination of the tested plants. However, the growth (shoot and root weights) of the tested plants decreased when the leachate concentrations increased (highest at 15%). The dicot types of tested plants (tomato, radish, red clover, alfalfa and sunflower) were more susceptible to the effects of the leachates than the monocot plants (wheat and rye). We found that both wheat and rye produced a large number of roots that tried to “escape” from the plant extract that was submerged by the seeds. Both primary and adventitious roots produced copious amounts of root hairs. It was a unique occurrence to see that the roots grew against gravity to avoid the absorption from the leachates. We believe that the fruit extracts of the Chinese privet have a strong potential to be developed into an effective herbicide in the future.

1 - Winthrop University, Department Of Biology, 202 Dalton Hall, Rock Hill, SC, 29733, USA
2 - Winthrop University, Department of Biology, Rock Hill, SC, 29733

Keywords:
Chinese privet 
allelopathic compounds 
herbicide.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Ecophysiology Poster Session
Location: Exhibit Hall/Savannah International Trade and Convention Center
Date: Monday, August 1st, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 6:15 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PEP014
Abstract ID:895
Candidate for Awards:None