Allelopathic potential of Rhus chinensis on seedling growth of radish, semen cassiae and black soyabean

Abstract

The allelopathic potential of Rhus chinensis Mill on seedling growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.), semen cassiae (seed of Cassia obtusifolia L.) and black soyabean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was investigated under laboratory conditions. The water extracts of seed, leaf and bark of R. chinensis inhibited the germination and the growth of roots and shoots of radish, semen cassiae, and black soyabean. Significant increasing reductions in the germination and growth of roots and shoots were observed as the concentration of water extract increased in all bioassays. The order of allelopathic potentials of the three parts from R. chinensis plant on seed germination of these receptors was leaf > seed > bark. However, the inhibition of water extracts from R. chinensis seed on root activity of semen cassiae was more severe than from the other two parts. The allelopathic potential on the germination of radish was higher than that of black soyabean and semen cassiae. The integrated effect index for allelopathic potential of water extracts of leaf of R. chinensis on radish, semen cassiae and black soyabean seedling growth were −0.88, −0.93 and −0.98 respectively. The results suggested that it is important to minimize the negative allelopathic potential of R. chinensis in agroforestry systems, and to exploit this traditional Chinese medicinal tree for the production of natural bio-pesticides.