Evaluation of allelopathic potentiality of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) on the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana L.

Abstract

Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) a leguminous plant mainly utilized as forage, green manure or cover crop in many countries. It has been reported that this plant effectively suppresses weed growth. Recently, natural occurrence of cyanamide has been confirmed and isolated from hairy vetch and are reported to be involved in allelopathic phenomenon. Many plant species including hairy vetch has been reported for their allelopathic potentiality, however, detail studies related to the function and mechanism of allelopathic substances on plant growth has not yet been carried out. As to our first approach, here we investigated the effects of cyanamide on the germination and growth of Arabidopsis and hairy vetch. We found that different concentration of cyanamide completely inhibited seed germination of Arabidopsis, while in hairy vetch it was not. Detail studies on the interaction mechanisms are underway and will be discussed.