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Exploring Allelopathy in Plants: The Effect of Alfalfa Leaf Extract on Seed Growth

This research investigates the impact of alfalfa leaf extract on seed germination and growth. The study explores allelopathy, where plants compete chemically for resources. Using a controlled experiment with radish, pea, and turnip seeds, the results support the hypothesis that alfalfa extract adversely affects seed growth, especially radishes. Peas showed the least effect, suggesting variations in allelopathic responses. The study provides insights into plant interactions and potential sources of error for further research.

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Exploring Allelopathy in Plants: The Effect of Alfalfa Leaf Extract on Seed Growth

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  1. Allelopathy in Plants Mary Kate Moran Grade 9

  2. Problem • Will alfalfa leaf extract have an effect on the growth or germination of seeds?

  3. Research • Plants will compete for resources physically and chemically. • Allelopathy is the chemical inhibition of the growth of one plant by another. • Alfalfa is known to have allelopathic tendencies, particularly on radish seeds. • Allelopathic chemicals can be found in several locations on a plant.

  4. Hypothesis • If alfalfa leaf extract is used in place of water on the seeds, their growth with be adversely effected.

  5. Materials • 150mL beaker • 18 9-cm petri dishes • 50mL flask • filter paper • 2 1mL syringes • Alfalfa shoots • Distilled water • cheesecloth • 60 radish, pea, and turnip seeds

  6. Procedure • Preparation of alfalfa extract • Preparation of trials in petri dishes • Addition of distilled water or alfalfa extract twice over one week period • Trials placed in a cool, dark place and observed for one week

  7. Variables • Independent Variable – alfalfa extract • Dependent Variable – growth of seeds • Control – trials receiving water • Constants - time duration, types of seeds, dishes, location, temperature

  8. Data

  9. Data • Seeds started sprouting on Day 4 • Control and Experimental groups did not display noticeable differences until Day 6 • Radishes displayed greatest difference • Peas displayed smallest

  10. Conclusion • The hypothesis was that the alfalfa leaf extract would have an adverse effect on the growth of seeds. • The hypothesis was supported. • Growth was adversely affected in all seeds. • Alfalfa had the greatest allelopathic effects on radishes. • Peas showed the greatest number of seeds germinated and germinated most fully, therefore alfalfa had the least allelopathic effects on peas. • Possible sources of error and furthering of experiment

  11. Works Cited • Coder, Kim D. Allelopathy in Trees. University of Georgia. PDF file. http://warnell.forestry.uga.edu/‌service/‌library/‌for99-004/‌for99-004.pdf • DeLacy, Margaret, and Leslie Seiger. A Study of Allelopathy in Plants. Washington, DC: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Print. • Ferguson, James J. “Allelopathy: How Plants Suppress Other Plants.”EDIS. University of Florida, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/‌hs186>. • International Society of Chemical Ecology. “Allelopathy.”International Society of Chemical Ecology. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. <https://sites.google.com/‌a/‌chemecol.org/‌welcome/‌science/‌allelopathy>. • University of Illinois. “Allelopathy and Autotoxicity in Plants.”Refdoc.fr. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2011. <http://cat.inist.fr/‌?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=5526698>.

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