Abstract
Effects of water extracts of leaves, root, litter and soil of Kalmia angustifolia were tested on seed germination and primary root and shoot development of black spruce seedlings. Litter and soil extracts were found to be most inhibitory to primary root development. There was no significant difference in germination percentage and shoot growth of seedlings due to the treatments. Inhibition of root development in the affected seedlings was attributed to unknown water soluble substance(s) present in the litter and soil under Kalmia plants. The affected seedlings produced a curved blunt-ended extension of the root-shoot transition region which was devoid of a root cap and root hairs. A stair-step-pot sand culture experiment in the greenhouse indicated that water leachate passing through both Kalmia canopy and soil significantly reduced the early growth of black spruce seedlings. Reductions of 23, 44, and 47% in height growth were observed in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd month, respectively, after planting. This decrease in plant growth may be caused by chemical interference in the mycorrhizal association of black spruce due to the presence of Kalmia.
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