Germination of seeds and growth of seedlings of selected grass species under the influence of blastokolins from germinating grass seeds

Abstract

Experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions in Department of Grass Science and Greenland Shaping in 2002-2004. Studies included six experiment series on Petri dishes set by means of complete randomization method in four replications. Following species were tested: Festulolium, Festuca pratensis, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense and Poa pratensis making one or two-species combinations. Fifteen seeds of two species were arranged alternately in 1- centimeter distance on a Petri dish. Objects where seeds germinated with no neighborhood of other species (30 seeds on a dish), were control. The filter's humidity on Petri dishes was maintained by wetting it with distilled water. Achieved results revealed significant influence of blastokolins of tested grass species on seed germination and initial seedling growth. Secretion of germinating Festulolium seeds showed the highest activity. Reaction of tested grass species to allelochemicals varied. In reference to control objects, Phleum pratense among tested species was distinguished with the highest susceptibility to allelochemicals released during seed germination.

Keywords

• Allelopathy
• blastokolins from germinating seeds
• grass
• germination
• root length
• seedling height