Allelopathic effect of some invasive plants on germination and growth of tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tatricum)

Abstract

Allelopathic compounds released by invasive plants can directly affect neighbouring plants by interfering with their germination and suppressing the growth of seedlings or adult plants. In this study, we investigated the strength of the allelopathic effect of three invasive plants: Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica), Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) and stinkwort (Dittrichia graveolens) on the germination and early growth of Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tatricum). All three aqueous extracts significantly reduced the growth of buckwheat seedlings, but had almost no effect on seed germination. In addition, aqueous extracts obtained from a 2-fold serial dilution of a 10% extract of D. graveolens inhibited the growth of buckwheat seedlings in a dose-dependent manner. The results showed that root length was significantly more reduced than shoot length, while seed germination remained largely unaffected.