Effect of Rosa gorenkensis Besser aqueous extracts on germination and early growth of native plant species

Abstract

In Europe, Rosa gorenkensis Besser is considered an invasive species. However, its negative impact on native flora components or other habitat components has not been described so far. In the experiment, the germination reactions of mono- and dicotyledonous plant seeds to the aqueous extracts of R. gorenkensis were investigated to determine the allelopathic potential of this plant. Seeds of common plants – wild-growing Festuca rubra L. and cultivated Raphanus sativus L. var. radicula Pers. cv. ‘Rowa’ were treated with aqueous extracts from the roots, stalks, leaves, and flowers of rosa at concentrations of 1%, 2.5%, and 5%. Along with the increase in the concentration of allelochemical compounds in the extracts, the negative influence of the extracts on the germination capacity of the tested seeds species was found. Regardless of the type of extract, inhibition of the growth of the underground and aboveground parts of seedlings was also observed. Changes in biomass and water content, depending on the concentration and type of the extract, were found. The greatest differences in the electrolytes leakage in seedlings watered with 5% extracts were revealed. The study showed that the aqueous extracts of leaves and flowers of this species had the greatest allelopathic potential.