抄録
Alfalfa suppresses mugwort growth in the field. In the present study, the allelopathic effect of alfalfa on mugwort was examined using the above-ground (AGAB) and under-ground alfalfa biomasses (UGAB), and their water extracts. The sprouting of mugwort rhizomes or seed germination, growth of seedlings and leaf color changes in mugwort seedlings were evaluated in pot experiments. AGAB mixed into soil highly inhibited sprouting of mugwort rhizome fragments and growth of seedlings. The inhibitory effect was increased, and gradual leaf discoloration (yellowing) was observed in response to a higher dose of AGAB. However, UGAB affected neither sprouting of mugwort rhizome fragments nor growth of seedlings. The growth of mugwort seedlings was not significantly affected by water extracts of either AGAB or UGAB applied after emergence. The seed germination and seedling growth were significantly reduced by water extracts of AGAB and UGAB in the petri dishes experiments. These results indicated that the allelopathic effect of alfalfa along with the competitive ability and harvesting regime may play an important role in suppressing mugwort growth.
