EFFECT OF CONCENTRATION AND DECOMPOSITION TIME ON THE PHYTOTOXICITY OF CATTAIL (TYPHA DOMINGENSIS) EXTRACTS

The effect of concentration and decomposition time on the phytotoxic properties of aqueous extracts of a cattail species was examined. Cattail tissues contained water-soluble materials that were toxic to germination and growth of lettuce and cattail seeds. A strong correlation was found between extr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Florida scientist 2001-01, Vol.64 (1), p.44-55
Main Authors: Gallardo-Williams, Maria T., Meadows, Darren G., Mendoza-Galvez, Lourd B., Papachristou, Marios D., Martin, Dean F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allelopathy
Bioassay
Charcoal
Germination
Organic foods
Phytotoxicity
Phytotrons
Plants
Root growth
Seedlings
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Summary:The effect of concentration and decomposition time on the phytotoxic properties of aqueous extracts of a cattail species was examined. Cattail tissues contained water-soluble materials that were toxic to germination and growth of lettuce and cattail seeds. A strong correlation was found between extract concentration and toxicity. At very low concentrations, cattail aqueous extracts stimulated germination and root elongation, but, as the concentration increased, the phytotoxic effects became apparent. The phytotoxic effects observed included germination inhibition, inversion of the seedlings, and inhibition of growth. The extracts became generally more toxic after a week of decomposition at 23°C. Longer decomposition time, however, made the extracts less active. Addition of increasing amounts of activated charcoal removed the phytotoxic properties; there was a direct correlation between the amount of adsorbent used (0–1.5g) and the decrease in phytotoxicity under the conditions of the bioassay.
ISSN:0098-4590