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Ethylene Production in Soil Containing Quackgrass Rhizomes and Other Plant Materials
Author(s) -
Harvey R. G.,
Linscott J. J.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1978.03615995004200050013x
Subject(s) - rhizome , ethylene , allelopathy , weed , sterilization (economics) , chemistry , soil water , agronomy , horticulture , botany , environmental science , biology , germination , soil science , organic chemistry , monetary economics , foreign exchange , economics , foreign exchange market , catalysis
Ethylene was generated in the presence of quackgrass rhizomes [ Agropyrou repens (L.) Beauv.] resulting in concentrations as high as 6.4 µliter/liter when rhizomes were incubated in sealed vials and 14.3 µliters/liter in waterlogged soil. These levels exceeded those previously shown to inhibit growth of crop plants. Reduced ethylene production following sterilization of rhizomes and soil demonstrated that microorganisms were actually responsible. Ethylene was also generated in the presence of other plant materials and by field soil alone. Fresh and dried quackgrass rhizomes were equally effective in producing ethylene. Significant concentrations of ethylene were not observed under aerobic soil conditions in the field. Ethylene production from quackgrass tissue as a result of microbial activity in the soil may be partially responsible for alleged allelopathic effects of the weed, but would probably only occur when soils are excessively wet or if physical soil properties produced anaerobic conditions.