Allelopathic potential of selected grasses (Family Poaceae) on the germination of lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa)

Abstract

Allelopathy is the production of chemicals (allelochemicals) of a plant which can influence the growth and development of another plant that can be either negative by reducing germination or positive by increasing growth. This study was conducted to (1) determine the allelopathic potential of the following grasses (Family Poaceae), Chloris barbata, Eleusine indica and Saccharum spontaneum in Tigbauan, Iloilo on the germination of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seeds; (2) determine the grass extracts that can inhibit or induce the germination; and (3) determine if there is a significant difference on the allelopathic potential of the grass extracts on the germination of lettuce seeds in each assay used. Filter paper and soil germination assays were the growth assays used. Results of the study revealed that the grasses used had significantly reduced and differ in their germination rate of lettuce seeds at 0.05 level of significance using One-Way Analysis of Variance and post hoc Tukey analyses. Both germination assays used, showed that S. spontaneum has the lowest germination rate. Eleusine indica has the highest germination rate in filter paper assay while Chloris barbata in soil germination assay. The grass extracts used have an allelopathic potential by decreasing the germination rate of lettuce seeds. This study suggested that allelopathic activity is one feature of attributes that enable invasive species to dominate in habitat space of communities they are present. Identifying these attributes and clarifying the relative importance could enhance our ecological understanding of the problematic species and facilitate the management of plant invasions.