Allelopathic Effect of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Extracts on Seed "Germination and Seedling Groeth of Soybean

The allelopathic effects of different concentrations of aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum bungeanum leaves on seed germination and early seedling growth of three soybean varieties were investigated.The results showed that the inhibition of plant growth enhanced as the extract concentration increased.Both the data of morphological and biochemical parameters suggested that the extract at concentration ≥40 g L-1 strongly inhibited seed germination and seedling growth of soybean.However,the extract at concentration ≤20 g L-1 promoted the germination rate of seed with lower vigor,whereas the seed germination index decreased and seed germination time was prolonged.Different change patterns of seed germination were observed among the three varieties,indicating that allelopathic action was affected by either seed vigor or genotype.With the concentration of aqueous extract increasing,the MAD content increased constantly,while SOD activity was significantly inhibited.The sensitivity of seedling to the allelopathic effects of Z.bungeanum was in the order of underground biomass aboveground biomass plant height root length.Fig 2,Tab 3,Ref 12