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ALLELOPATHIC GROWTH INHIBITION OF NODULATED AND UNNODULATED ALNUS CRISPA SEEDLINGS BY POPULUS BALSAMIFERA
Author(s) -
Jobidon Robert,
Thibault J.R.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1982.tb13366.x
Subject(s) - biology , allelopathy , alder , botany , alnus glutinosa , horticulture , seedling , germination
Water extracts of fresh leaves, buds, and leaf litter of Populus balsamifera (balsam poplar) were tested at different dilutions for allelopathic effects on nodulation, nitrogenase activity and growth of nodulated green alder (Alnus crispa) seedlings, and on growth of unnodulated green alder seedlings. All extracts inhibited height growth, root elongation and dry weight increment of nodulated and unnodulated green alder seedlings to some degree during a 2‐month experiment. Foliar nitrogen content of both nodulated and unnodulated seedlings was significantly lower in extract treated plants than in controls. Growth inhibition was about 25% less in nodulated than in unnodulated seedlings. The number of nodules per plant in seedlings treated with any balsam poplar extract was only 51% that of control plants. Acetylene reduction by seedlings treated with bud and leaf litter extracts indicated a decrease of 62% compared to controls. Growth inhibition was not mediated by pH or osmotic effects of the extracts. The possible ecological significance is discussed.