Effects on plant production after addition of labile carbon to arctic/alpine soils

Biomass production was analysed in Festuca vivipara, grown for 3 months in pots with non-sterilized or sterilized soil after factorial addition of three levels of labile carbon combined with high and low levels of N and P. The soil was a nutrient-poor subarctic heath soil. In the non-sterilized soil plant biomass production increased strongly only in the treatment with high levels of both N and P, which suggests that both nutrients limited plant growth. In the sterilized soil addition of a high level of N without P addition gave almost the same growth response as in the combined NP treatment. This was because of a more than 30-fold increase of inorganic phosphorus in the soil as P was released from the killed microbial biomass after sterilization. Sugar addition reduced plant growth in all treatments. The reduction in plant growth was dose dependent within the range of 0–450 μg C g⁻¹ soil added to the non-sterilized soil, but the response levelled off at 233 μg C g⁻¹ soil in the soil that had been sterilized at the start of the experiment. The plant response, together with observed depletion of soil inorganic N and P, indicated that the microbial biomass immobilized nutrients efficiently and reduced plant growth when extra labile carbon was added. The inhibition of growth was lower, however, in the soil which had been sterilized, probably because of a slow recovery of the microbial populations in it. Two of the nutrient-carbon solutions closely matched the N, P and C concentrations in a solution containing leaf extracts of Cassiope tetragona and Betula tortuosa that had been used previously to test for possible allelopathic effects of compounds in the leaf extracts. These extracts also reduced plant growth. The growth reduction was equally large or larger after nutrient-sugar addition than after addition of leaf extracts in three out of the four possible combinations of species and sterilized or non-sterilized soil. In the fourth case (Betula extract added to sterilized soil), the effect was larger when leaf extract was added than after addition of the nutrient-carbon solution. This could be due to a low rate of microbial degradation of phytotoxic substances in this soil because of a slow recovery of the microbial populations after sterilization. The generally stronger or equal effect of the nutrient-sugar addition compared to the leaf extract addition leads to the conclusion that microbial nutrient immobilization and microbial competition for nutrients increased as a function of labile carbon addition with the extract. Hence, it appears that enhanced microbial activity and microbial nutrient immobilization rather than phytotoxic effects was the primary reasons for the reduced biomass production in F. vivipara even after addition of the leaf extracts. Received: 25 October 1996 / Accepted: 11 June 1997     

Inhibition of growth,and effects on nutrient uptake of arctic graminoids by leaf extracts — allelopathy or resource competition between plants and microbes?

Previous research has shown that plant extracts, e.g. from boreal dwarf shrubs and trees, can cause reduced growth of neighbouring plants: an effect known as allelopathy. To examine whether arctic and subarctic plants could also be affected by leaching of phytochemicals, we added extracts from the commonly occurring arctic dwarf shrubs Cassiope tetragona and Empetrum hermaphroditum, and from mountain birch, Betula pubescens ssp. tortuosa to three graminoid species, Carex bigelowii, Festuca vivipara and Luzula arcuata, grown in previously sterilized or non-sterilized arctic soils. The graminoids in non-sterilized soil grew more slowly than those in sterilized soil. Excised roots of the plants in non-sterilized soil had higher uptake rate of labelled P than those in sterilized soil, demonstrating larger nutrient deficiency. The difference in growth rate was probably caused by higher nutrient availability for plants in soils in which the microbial biomass was killed after soil sterilization. The dwarf shrub extracts contained low amounts of inorganic N and P and medium high amounts of carbohydrates. Betula extracts contained somewhat higher levels of N and much higher levels of P and carbohydrates. Addition of leaf extracts to the strongly nutrient limited graminoids in non-sterilized soil tended to reduce growth, whereas in the less nutrient limited sterilized soil it caused strong growth decline. Furthermore, the N and P uptake by excised roots of plants grown in both types of soil was high if extracts from the dwarf shrubs (with low P and N concentrations) had been added, whereas the P uptake declined but the N uptake increased after addition of the P-rich Betula extract. In contrast to the adverse extract effects on plants, soil microbial respiration and soil fungal biomass (ergosterol) was generally stimulated, most strongly after addition of the Betula extract. Although we cannot exclude the possibility that the reduced plant growth and the concomitant stimulation of microbial activity were caused by phytochemicals, we believe that this was more likely due to labile carbon in the extracts which stimulated microbial biomass and activity. As a result microbial uptake increased, thereby depleting the plant available pool of N and P, or, for the P-rich Betula extract, depleting soil inorganic N alone, to the extent of reducing plant growth. This chain of events is supported by the negative correlation between plant growth and sugar content in the three added extracts, and the positive correlation between microbial activity, fungal biomass production and sugar content, and are known reactions when labile carbon is added to nutrient deficient soils.     

Disruption of N-Αcyl Homoserine Lactone-Mediated Cell Signaling and Iron Acquisition in Epiphytic Bacteria by Leaf Surface Compounds

Since N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) are key mediators of cell density-dependent regulation of traits involved in virulence and epiphytic fitness in gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas syringae, a variety of plant species were examined to determine their production of leaf surface compounds that could interact with these signaling systems. Leaf washings of 17 of 52 plant species tested stimulated or inhibited AHL-dependent traits in at least one of the bacterial reporter strains used. The active compounds from most plants could be distinguished from known AHLs due to different patterns of mobility during C₈ and C₁₈ reverse-phase thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and normal-phase TLC compared to the patterns for authentic bacterial AHLs. All plant extracts were also tested to determine their abilities to sequester iron and trigger bacterial siderophore synthesis on a medium containing abundant iron. Leaf washings from 16 of the 52 plant species, as well as tannic acid solutions, stimulated pyoverdine synthesis in P. syringae in a high-iron medium. These preparations also inhibited the growth of a P. syringae mutant unable to produce pyoverdine siderophores but not the growth of the wild-type bacterium. The stimulation of siderophore production and the growth inhibition by plant extracts and purified tannins were both reversed by addition of ferric chloride to culture media, indicating that iron was made unavailable by the compounds released onto the leaf surface.     

Disruption of N-acyl homoserine lactone-mediated cell signaling and iron acquisition in epiphytic bacteria by leaf surface compounds

Since N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) are key mediators of cell density-dependent regulation of traits involved in virulence and epiphytic fitness in gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas syringae, a variety of plant species were examined to determine their production of leaf surface compounds that could interact with these signaling systems. Leaf washings of 17 of 52 plant species tested stimulated or inhibited AHL-dependent traits in at least one of the bacterial reporter strains used. The active compounds from most plants could be distinguished from known AHLs due to different patterns of mobility during C8 and C18 reverse-phase thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and normal-phase TLC compared to the patterns for authentic bacterial AHLs. All plant extracts were also tested to determine their abilities to sequester iron and trigger bacterial siderophore synthesis on a medium containing abundant iron. Leaf washings from 16 of the 52 plant species, as well as tannic acid solutions, stimulated pyoverdine synthesis in P. syringae in a high-iron medium. These preparations also inhibited the growth of a P. syringae mutant unable to produce pyoverdine siderophores but not the growth of the wild-type bacterium. The stimulation of siderophore production and the growth inhibition by plant extracts and purified tannins were both reversed by addition of ferric chloride to culture media, indicating that iron was made unavailable by the compounds released onto the leaf surface.     

Insect growth regulating and antifeedant effects of neem extracts and azadirachtin on two aphid species of ornamental plants

Leaf disc choice test bioassay demonstrated that formulated neem seed extracts were highly deterrent and growth regulatory to rose aphid,Microsiphum rosae (L.) and Chrysanthemum aphid,Macrosiphoniella sanbornii (Gillete). Effective concentrations to produce 50% feeding deterrence was 0.80 and 0.84% respectively for 2nd instar nymphs irrespective of bioassay duration. The disruption of aphid feeding was related to the presence of azadirachtin concentration in the extract. The toxicity on contact from the leaf surface or via topical application due to azadirachtin was significantly different and topical treatment was at least 7 times more effective for both species. Thus growth regulatory effects of azadirachtin were influenced by the host plant and the stage of treatment. Field evaluation with formulated neem extracts revealed the effect to be more of growth regulatory nature thereby showing that azadirachtin is a physiological toxin for aphid species. Neem seed extracts reduced the population of aphid on respective host plants significantly, EC₅₀ values being 0.88 and 0.96% forM. rosae andM. sanbornii respectively.     

Extracts of Acacia farnesiana and Artemisia ludoviciana inhibit growth, enterotoxin production and adhesion of Vibrio cholerae

Summary Extracts of 32 medicinal plants commonly used in Mexico were evaluated for their effects on the growth of Vibrio cholerae strains O1 and O139. Of these, the ethanolic extracts of Acacia farnesiana and Artemisia ludoviciana effectively inhibited bacterial growth. The effects of these plant extracts on enterotoxin production and adhesion of V. cholerae to Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were determined. The minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) for growth was 4.0–7.0 mg/ml for A. farnesiana and 4.0–6.0 mg/ml in A. ludoviciana spp. mexicana. Cholera toxin was inhibited when lower concentrations (50% or 75% of the MBC) of extracts were added to the media. Pre-exposing bacteria or CHO cells to various concentrations of extracts affected in a different manner the adhesion between bacteria and CHO cells.     

The influence of salinity on growth,biomass production and photosynthesis of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. seedlings

The influence of NaCl salinity on growth, dry-matter production and leaf photosynthesis of seedlings of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. was studied by imposing 4 levels (40, 80, 120 and 160 mM) of NaCl in pot culture. Salinity up to 160 mM did not affect plant survival, but did affect plant growth and dry-matter production depending upon the species and salt concentration. NaCl reduced leaf number and dry-weight of all the plant components, but increased stem dry-weight, especially in E. camaldulensis. Salinization also stimulated total dry-matter production at all the salinity levels in E. camaldulensis but only at 40 mM in D. sissoo. The two species varied in protein and chlorophyll concentration and in leaf photosynthetic rate. Protein and chlorophyll concentration of the plants fell at all the levels of NaCl, except at 40 mM, where stimulation in the photosynthetic carbon assimilation of the plants occurred. However, no distinct relationship between leaf photosynthetic rate and dry-matter production was found. The study indicated that low salt concentrations generally stimulated growth, biomass production and rate of photosynthesis in both the species, and E. camaldulensis appeared more NaCl salt-tolerant than D. sissoo.     

Antifeedant effects of in vitro culture extracts of the neem tree,Azadirachta indica against the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål))

Callus and micropropagated shoots were initiated from leaf explants of the neem tree, Azadirachta indica A. Juss. A variety of whole plant and in vitro cell cultures from neem seedlings of Ghanian origin were tested for insect antifeedant compounds using the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål)). Feeding suppression occurred when whole extracts of seed, leaf, callus, suspension and shoot cultures were tested in no-choice feeding bioassays. Controls of sucrose, carrot callus and the plant growth medium showed no feeding deterrence. Azadirachtin, the main known antifeedant in neem seed kernels, was quantified from a seed extract by HPLC but was not detected in any of the other extracts. Antifeedancy was determined during batch growth of a suspension culture which had been in culture for 5 months; results indicated that antifeedants were still being formed and that levels increased after maximum biomass was attained.     

Effects of labile soil carbon on nutrient partitioning between an arctic graminoid and microbes

We measured partitioning of N and P uptake between soil microorganisms and potted Festuca vivipara in soil from a subarctic heath in response to factorial addition of three levels of labile carbon (glucose) combined with two levels of inorganic N and P. The glucose was added to either non-sterilized or sterilized (autoclaved) soils in quantities which were within the range of reported, naturally occurring amounts of C released periodically from the plant canopy. The aims were, firstly, to examine whether the glucose stimulated microbial nutrient uptake to the extent of reducing plant nutrient uptake. This is expected in nutrient-deficient soils if microbes and plants compete for the same nutrients. Secondly, we wanted to test our earlier␣interpretation that growth reduction observed in graminoids after addition of leaf extracts could be caused directly by labile carbon addition, rather than by phytotoxins in the extracts. Addition of high amounts of N did not affect the microbial N pool, whereas high amounts of added P significantly increased the microbial P pool, indicating a luxury P uptake in the microbes. Both plant N and in particular P uptake increased strongly in response to soil sterilization and to addition of extra N or P. The increased␣uptake led to enhanced plant growth when both elements were applied in high amounts, but only led to increased tissue concentrations without growth responses when the nutrients were added separately. Glucose had strong and contrasting effects on plant and microbial N and P uptake. Microbial N and P uptake increased, soil inorganic N and P concentrations were reduced and plant N and P uptake declined when glucose was added. The responses were dose-dependent within the range of 0–450 μg C g⁻¹ soil added to the non-sterilized soil. The opposite responses of plants and microbes showed that plant acquisition of limiting nutrients is dependent on release of nutrients from the soil microbes, which is under strong regulation by the availability and microbial uptake of labile C. Hence, we conclude, firstly, that the microbial populations can compete efficiently with plants for nutrients to an extent of affecting plant growth when the microbial access to labile carbon is high in nutrient deficient soils. We also conclude that reduced growth of plants after addition of leaf extracts to soil can be caused by carbon-induced shifts in nutrient partitioning between plants and microbes, and not necessarily by phytotoxins added with the extracts as suggested by some experiments. Received: 15 February 1997 / Accepted: 12 July 1997     

Effect of water-deficit stress on cotton plants expressing the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) crops require a high dosage of Bt toxin to delay development of insect resistance, in particular, when the refuge strategy is applied. This strategy is threatened by plant developmental and environmental factors that might reduce Bt toxin concentration and Bt efficacy in Bt crops. Growth of Bt (Cry1Ac) cotton under prolonged, moderate water deficit as a single stress factor was evaluated. Bt cotton plants were analysed for physiological performance, Bt toxin concentration and Bt efficacy. For performance analysis, leaf and total plant dry weight and leaf area were measured. Bt toxin concentration was determined by an immuno‐assay. Effects of Bt toxin on growth and mortality of African cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, larvae were measured in different plant organs. Leaves from young plants exposed for 30 days to moderate water deficit had both higher Bt toxin concentrations and were more effective against larvae than leaves, flowers or bolls from mature flowering plants exposed to 60 days of moderate water deficit. Although growth of Bt cotton plants under moderate water‐deficit conditions decreased Bt concentrations in leaves, flowers and bolls, this had no effect on efficacy against first‐instar cotton bollworm larvae. No significant evidence was found that moderate water deficit, as a single stress factor, decreases Bt efficacy in Bt cotton.     

An in vitro microplant bioassay using clonal white ash to test for tall fescue allelopathy

Axillary shoots from three selected white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) clones were harvested from in vitro shoot cultures. Roots were initiated by pulsing excised shoots for eight days in the dark in MS medium supplemented with 2% sucrose, 0.7% agar, 5 M NAA, and 1 M IBA. Pulsed shoots were transferred to a root elongation medium consisting of 25% MS macrosalts, full-strength microsalts and organics, 1% sucrose, 0.7% agar and no auxins. When roots were visible (6–10 days after transfer to root elongation medium), microplants were transferred to vessels containing the same minimal medium and tall fescue (Festuca elatior var. arundinacea (Schreb.) Wimm.) leaf extracts, leaf leachates, or soil leachates from plant boxes with and without tall fescue sod. After four weeks in vitro, primary adventitious and secondary root growth was reduced by extracts obtained from 5 and 10 g ground leaves per 100 ml of medium. Leachates obtained from 5 g soaked leaves per 100 ml of medium stimulated primary root growth. Soil leachates from bare soil also stimulated primary root growth. Variation was observed among the clones for root growth when plantlets were grown in extracts or leachates from tall fescue.     

Phytotoxicity induced by Phragmites australis: an assessment of phenotypic and physiological parameters involved in germination process and growth of receptor plant

This study investigated the possible phytotoxicity induced by Phargmites australis on phenotypic and physiological parameters of recipient plants with identification of major inhibitors in the donor plant. This was achieved using aqueous extracts of different organs and root exudates of P. australis in laboratory and greenhouse experiments with Lactuca sativa as the model test plant. The observed reduced liquid imbibition and altered resource mobilization in seeds of L. sativa, in particular an insufficient carbohydrate supply, demonstrated that the onset of germination might be negatively affected by phytotoxicity. Dose-response studies pointed out that oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species production could potentially cause the observed germination and seedling growth reductions. The osmotic effects by mannitol solution on germination as well as growth and physiology at a level of ?0.57 and ?0.45 bar, respectively, demonstrated that the results from aqueous plant extracts were partially induced by the osmotic potential on and above those levels. Overall, the relative strength of inhibition on measured parameters was the highest in leaf extract, followed by rhizome, root, stem, and inflorescence. Root exudates of P. australis also had negative impacts by reducing germination and growth of plant. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed gallic acid, a potent phytotoxin, as a major compound with an order of leaf >inflorescence>rhizome>root>stem.     

Fungitoxic effects of nonprotein imino acids on growth of saprophytic fungi isolated from the leaf surface of Calliandra haematocephala

Four saprophytic and pathogenic fungi were isolated from the leaf surface of Calliandra haematocephala, a tropical legume known to contain large amounts of rare nonprotein imino acids in its leaves and seeds. The fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus sp., Curvularia sp., and Penicillium sp. were cultured in the laboratory and tested for susceptibility to leaf extracts of the host plant and to proline, pipecolic acid, cis-5-hydroxypipecolic acid, and 2,4-trans-4,5-cis-4,5-dihydroxypipecolic acid. Fungal spore germination and germ tube growth were measured. Aspergillus sp. was inhibited by plant extracts and by pipecolic acid and cis-5-hydroxypipecolic acid. Curvularia sp. growth was stimulated by plant extracts and by pipecolic acid. The other two fungi were unaffected by any of the treatments. The data indicate that imino acids may play a role in the specific resistance of Calliandra spp. to Aspergillus sp.     

Evaluation of in vitro shoots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia judaica</Emphasis> for allelopathic potential

Allelopathic performance of in vitro fresh green shoot, green, and brown shoot extracts including dry shoot powders of Artemisia judaica was evaluated through bioassay-guided studies using lettuce under laboratory conditions. The dry powders caused strong germination and growth inhibition of the lettuce seed tested. The green and brown shoot crude extracts of A. judaica also produced a strong germination and growth inhibition. The magnitude of inhibition in experiments with the brown shoot extracts was higher than that with the green shoot extracts. The lettuce seed incubated together with the fresh green shoots showed that the growth of lettuce was stimulated, while the germination of seed was delayed. The results show that there are different allelochemicals present in the exudates and volatiles of A. judaica. The shoot extracts under assay conditions showed a dose-dependent free radical scavenging effect of DPHH and a dose-dependent reduction of chlorophyll content from lettuce leaves. The antioxidant potential and total chlorophyll content of the lettuce leaf declined in all the shoot extract treatments. These results clearly indicate that the in vitro shoot of A. judaica contains some strong biologically active allelochemicals that are involved in plant growth regulation.     

Fungitoxic effects of nonprotein imino acids on growth of saprophytic fungi isolated from the leaf surface of Calliandra haematocephala.

Four saprophytic and pathogenic fungi were isolated from the leaf surface of Calliandra haematocephala, a tropical legume known to contain large amounts of rare nonprotein imino acids in its leaves and seeds. The fungi Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus sp., Curvularia sp., and Penicillium sp. were cultured in the laboratory and tested for susceptibility to leaf extracts of the host plant and to proline, pipecolic acid, cis-5-hydroxypipecolic acid, and 2,4-trans-4,5-cis-4,5-dihydroxypipecolic acid. Fungal spore germination and germ tube growth were measured. Aspergillus sp. was inhibited by plant extracts and by pipecolic acid and cis-5-hydroxypipecolic acid. Curvularia sp. growth was stimulated by plant extracts and by pipecolic acid. The other two fungi were unaffected by any of the treatments. The data indicate that imino acids may play a role in the specific resistance of Calliandra spp. to Aspergillus sp.     

Polyphenolic compounds on leaves limit iron availability and affect growth of epiphytic bacteria

Polyphenolic compounds produced by plants can chelate iron, reducing its bioavailability to plant‐associated bacteria. In response to limited iron levels, most bacteria produce siderophores to acquire needed iron quantities. The amount of phenolic compounds detected in methanolic washings of leaves of different plant species varied greatly, being nearly sevenfold higher in Viburnum tinus than in Phaseolus vulgaris. In species with high levels of total phenolics (e.g. Pelargonium hortorum), tannin concentration of leaf washings was also high and accounted for up to 85% of total phenolics. Both stimulation of production of the siderophore pyoverdine in Pseudomonas syringae strain B728a and inhibition of growth of an isogenic mutant I‐1, deficient in pyoverdine production were associated with plants harbouring high levels of leaf surface phenolics. Levels of tannic acid sufficient to inhibit growth of the pyoverdine mutant in culture in an iron‐reversible fashion were similar to tannin levels found on leaves of plants such as P. hortorum. Additionally, the amount of pyoverdines produced by P. syringae and quantified in leaf washings from a variety of plants was directly related to the concentration of tannins released from the leaf, indicating that tannins were responsible for sequestering iron. Phenolic compounds, principally tannins, may thus play an important role in plant–microbe interactions.     

Effect of Different Carbon and Nitrogen Sources on Clostridium argentinense Toxigenicity in Coculture withPseudomonas mendocina

The effect of different carbon and nitrogen sources on the production of toxin by Clostridium argentinense was examined. The toxin production by C. argentinense in coculture with Pseudomonas mendocina increased in all the cases in relation to that produced by monocultures independent of the nature of the source. Using dextrin as carbon source C. argentinense produced the highest levels of toxin both in monocultures (300 LD₅₀/mL) and in cocultures with P. mendocina (5000 LD₅₀/mL). Experiments run in a microfermenter showed that the slow growth of cocultures associated with the assimilation of dextrin and the pH and Eh profiles favoured the production of toxin. Of the nitrogen sources assayed, corn steep liquor sustained the highest levels of toxin in both monocultures and cocultures with 3 and 2.8 fold increases with respect to that obtained using proteose peptone. The toxin production by C. argentinense cultures and C. argentinense–P. mendocina cocultures was highly dependent on the nature of the carbon and nitrogen sources used in the culture media. Growth of C. argentinense on substrates slowly assimilated stimulated the production of toxin.     

Biomass and mineral element responses of a Serengeti short-grass species to nitrogen supply and defoliation: compensation requires a critical [N]

Large mammalian herbivores in grassland ecosystems influence plant growth dynamics in many ways, including the removal of plant biomass and the return of nutrients to the soil. A 10-week growth chamber experiment examined the responses of Sporobolus kentrophyllus from the heavily grazed short-grass plains of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, to simulated grazing and varying nitrogen nutrition. Plants were subjected to two clipping treatments (clipped and unclipped) and five nitrogen levels (weekly applications at levels equivalent to 0, 1, 5, 10, and 40 g N m⁻²), the highest being equivalent to a urine hit. Tiller and stolon production were measured weekly. Total biomass at harvest was partitioned by plant organ and analyzed for nitrogen and mineral element composition. Tiller and stolon production reached a peak at 3–5 weeks in unclipped plants, then declined drastically, but tiller number increased continually in clipped plants; this differential effect was enhanced at higher N levels. Total plant production increased substantially with N supply, was dominated by aboveground production, and was similar in clipped and unclipped plants, except at high nitrogen levels where clipped plants produced more. Much of the standing biomass of unclipped plants was standing dead and stem; most of the standing biomass of clipped plants was live leaf with clipped plants having significantly more leaf than unclipped plants. However, leaf nitrogen was stimulated by clipping only in plants receiving levels of N application above 1 g N m⁻² which corresponded to a tissue concentration of 2.5% N. Leaf N concentration was lower in unclipped plants and increased with level of N. Aboveground N and mineral concentrations were consistently greater than belowground levels and while clipping commonly promoted aboveground concentrations, it generally diminished those belowground. In general, clipped plants exhibited increased leaf elemental concentrations of K, P, and Mg. Concentrations of B, Ca, K, Mg, and Zn increased with the level of N. No evidence was found that the much greater growth associated with higher N levels diminished the concentration of any other nutrient and that clipping coupled with N fertilization increased the total mineral content available in leaf tissue. The results suggest that plants can (1) compensate for leaf removal, but only when N is above a critical point (tissue [N] 2.8%) and (2) grazing coupled with N fertilization can increase the quality and quantity of tissue available for herbivore removal. Received: 25 August 1997 / Accepted: 14 April 1998     

Influence of muskmelon cell wall polysaccharides on roridin E production by a pathogenic strain of Myrothecium roridum

Addition of fruit cell wall extracts from two muskmelon cultivars into liquid media affected mycotoxin production by a strain of Myrothecium roridum pathogenic to muskmelon. Cell wall extracts from a susceptible cultivar (Iroquois) significantly increased toxin production while cell wall extracts from a resistant cultivar (Hales Best) significantly inhibited toxin production. Media containing 0.1 or 1.0 mg ml^–1 stimulated toxin production more than media containing 10 or 100 mg ml^–1 of cell wall extracts. Previous studies in our laboratory suggest that roridin E may be involved in virulence or pathogenicity of M. roridum; the present study indicates that cell wall polysaccharides as well as other materials present in cell wall preparations from susceptible host tissue provide a better substrate for toxin production than cell wall preparation from resistant host tissue.     

Allelopathic effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nepeta meyeri</Emphasis> Benth. extracts on seed germination and seedling growth of some crop plants

In order to evaluate the allelopathic potential of Nepeta meyeri Benth., the effects of aqueous extracts (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2.5 and 5%) prepared from roots and leaves of N. meyeri were studied on the seed germination and seedling growth of several economically important crops (barley, wheat, canola, safflower, and sunflower). Both the root and leaf extracts of N. meyeri caused a general phytotoxic effect on the seed germination and seedling growth of barley and sunflower at all concentrations. However, both the root and leaf extracts significantly increased the seedling growth of wheat, especially at the lower concentrations 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5%, whereas the higher concentrations had a neutral effect. The seed germination and the seedling growth of canola and safflower were also generally improved by both extracts, especially at lower concentrations. However, these advantages were not observed at higher concentrations, at which the extracts mostly had a phytotoxic effect on canola and safflower. The Allelopathic activity of N. meyeri depended on whether the extract was derived from the leaf or root parts of the plant. The maximum allelopathic effect occurred with leaf extracts. The results demonstrate that the aqueous extracts from N. meyeri have allelopathic potential and should be evaluated as an allelopathic species, presenting a risk or advantage to seed germination and seedling growth of crop or weed plants.