Allelopathic potentials of volatiles from Artemisia lavandulaefolia DC. Prodr
JIANG Gui-bo1,2, ZENG Ren-sen2
1. Jieyang Vocational and Technical College, Jieyang Guangdong 522000, China; 2. Institute of Tropical and Sub-tropical Ecology, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Artemisia lavandulaefolia DC.Prodr is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The volatiles released from leaves and stems of A. lavandulaefolia in an airproof system significantly inhibited the seedling growth of Echinochloa crusgalli, Bidens pilosa and Celosia argentea. Compared to the corresponding control, root length, shoot length and fresh weight decreased by 43.3%, 30.8% and 35.7% for Echinochloa crusgalli, 29.2%,30.0% and 29.5% for Bidens pilosa, and 26.3%、15.4% and 27.9% for Celosia argentea L. Volatile oil obtained from the steam distillation of fresh leaves and stems also significantly inhibited the seedling growth of the three tested weed species. Compared to the corresponding control, root length, shoot length and flesh weight decreased by 71.5%,54.8% and 30.5% for E. crusgalli, 40.9%,49.2% and 39.1% for B. pilosa, and 78.8%, 29.1% and 34.1% for C. argentea L, The results indicate that volatiles from A. lavandulaefolia have allelopathic potentials against weeds.