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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #77997
Title: ALLELOPATHIC ACTIVITY OF KENAF PLANT MATERIAL

Author
item Russo, Vincent
item Webber Iii, Charles
item MYERS, DWIGHT - EAST CENTRAL UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Symposium Chemistry of Kenaf Properties and Materials Fifth Chemical Congre
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This project was designed to determine if kenaf plant extracts affect germination and development of vegetable, grass and weed seed. Frost-killed kenaf was chipped and frozen (non-weathered) or applied to the soil in mats in December and weathered for 2 or 4 months. Non-weathered and weathered kenaf were ground and extracted with water. Distilled water and 3 concentrations of polyethylene glycol were included as controls. Seeds of green bean, cucumber, tomato, Italian ryegrass, and redroot pigweed were treated with 3 concentrations of the extracts. Non-weathered and weathered kenaf, especially at the highest extract concentration, reduced germination in pigweed, and to a lesser degree in tomato and ryegrass. As kenaf weathered, percentage germination, and length of most plants increased. This suggests that detrimental compounds in tissues were leached or otherwise changed so that they had no effect or became beneficial. Weathered kenaf tissue, or extracts, may stimulate germination and post- germination development of beneficial crops.