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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2015, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (6): 142-149.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2014287

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Allelopathic effect of extracts from the fibrous roots of Coptis chinensis on Lactuca compositae, Vigna radiate and Brassica rapa pekinensis

WANG Ya-Qi, CHEN Dan-Mei, YUAN Ling*   

  1. College of Natural Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
  • Received:2014-06-19 Online:2015-06-20 Published:2015-06-20

Abstract: A study has been undertaken of the allelopathic effect of extracts from fibrous roots of Coptis chinensis (ERC) on seed germination and seedling growth in Lactuca compositae, Vigna radiate and Brassica rapa pekinensis. Seeds of the three species were cultured in plates with various concentrations of ERC and germination rate, young seedling growth and related physiological indexes were measured. There was no significant effect of ERC on seed germination rate and index at low concentrations (200 mg/L), but seed vitality decreased and seedling biomass and root vitality dropped greatly. As the concentration of ERC increased to>400 mg/L, seed starch and protein hydrolyses were inhibited and the contents of free amino acids, soluble sugars and soluble phosphorus decreased, resulting in poor germination. When ERC concentration reached 800 mg/L, roots deformed concomitantly with brown color, root hair disappearance and the curling-up of root tips to leave the ERC solution. Nitrate reductase activity and chlorophyll concentration also decreased in the leaves. As a result, seedling growth was stunted. Stronger inhibition of ERC on L. compositae was observed than on V. radiate and B. rapa pekinensis. The results thus show that allelopathic chemicals contained in root exudate and residual of C. chinensis could inhibit seed germination and seedling growth in these three plants. This inhibition could result in poor growth and yield reduction of consequent crops after intensive cultivation of C. chinensis.