Presumption of allelopathic compound(s) released in the leaf litter decomposition process of invasive plants: Calliandra calothyrsus and Cinchona pubescens

Abstract

Mutaqien Z. 2017. Presumption of allelopathic compound(s) released in the leaf litter decomposition process of invasive plants: Calliandra calothyrsus and Cinchona pubescens. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 3: 334-338. Invasive alien species is one of the main cause of ecological systems dramatically changes and also native species extinction worldwide. However, more studies are needed to discover its mechanism, including role of allelopathy compound in invasive plants competition. Cinchona pubescens Vahl. and Calliandra calothyrsus Meissn. are recorded as invasive species in some regions. Moreover, C. pubescens is stated as one of 100 of the world’s worst invasive alien species by IUCN. This study aimed to confirm indication of the existence of allelopathic mechanism in invasion process of these two invasive alien species by releasing allelopathic compound(s) from its leaves fall over decomposition process. To clarify this hypothesis, a preliminary study had been conducted by testing the effect of the compounds released from decomposition process over the times (7-180 days) to germination of Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek in the laboratory. Completly Randomize Design was used by applying liquid produced by decomposition process of these two invasive species and control (three repetitions) to test its effects. Radicles and hypocotyls length were measured, compared and Anova analyzed by using R-statistic 3.1.3. Germination of V. radiata only significantly inhibited by compound(s) released by decomposition processes of C. callisaya’s leaves. Its inhibition effect was reduced over the times