Influence of temperature and salinity on the germination of Lotus creticus (L.) from the arid land of Tunisia

Effects of salinity, temperature and their interactions on the rate and final percentage of germination were evaluated for two populations (Msarref, Oued dkouk) of the invasive glycophyte Lotus creticus Linné, grown under arid environmental conditions of the Tunisia. Seeds that were not treated with NaCl germinated well in a wide range of temperatures. For both populations, maximum germination occurred in distilled water at 25°C and lowest germination for all salinities was at 35°C. Germination was substantially delayed and significantly reduced with an increase in NaCl to levels above 300 mm . Compared to the Oued dkouk population, final germination and germination rate of the Msarref population was completely inhibited at 300 mm NaCl. The interactive effect of temperature and NaCl concentration on final germination and germination rate was significant (P < 0.01), indicating that the germination response to salinity depended on temperature. The inhibition of Oued dkouk population seed germination at high salt concentration was mostly due to osmotic effects while ionic effects were noted at Msarref population. The germination behaviour of the Oued dkouk population would therefore imply adaptive mechanisms to saline environments, while in the Msarref population such mechanisms seem to be absent. Since seed germination is more sensitive to salinity stress than the growth of established plants, the greater tolerance to salinity of Oued dkouk population would be an adaptive feature of this population to saline environment.     

Influence of Phenol and Phenanthrene on the Growth of Phalaris arundinacea and Phragmites australis

In constructed wetlands for the treatment of industrial effluents and in contaminated waterlogged soils, wetland plants (helophytes) are exposed to toxic chemicals. Hence, the plants' resistance to contaminants is an important prerequisite for applying phytoremediation to solve these environmental problems. For toxicity tests on the germination and growth of various helophytes (Phalaris arundinaceae and Phragmites australis), phenol, phenanthrene, and a mixture of both were used as examples of chemicals from the petrol- and coal-processing industries. The germination rate, shoot length, root length, and influence on leaves, young shoots, and dry weight were studied. Although an increase in contaminant concentration decreased plant growth (dry weight, shoot length); interestingly, the number of young shoots rose. Low contaminant concentration (about 50 mg/l in case of phenol) stimulated the plant growth. The cress seed germination test was less susceptible compared with plantlet exposure in the case of phenol and phenanthrene. Due to its low bioavailability, solid phenanthrene (without solutizer) did not significantly affect plant growth.     

Effect of textile effluents on growth performance of wheat cultivars

Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the effect of different concentrations in the range of 0-100% textile effluents (untreated and treated) on seed germination (%), delay index (DI), plant shoot length and root length, plant biomass, chlorophyll content and carotenoid of three different cultivars of wheat. The textile effluent did not show any inhibitory effect on seed germination at low concentration (6.25%). The other reported plant parameters also followed the similar trend. Seeds germinated in undiluted effluents did not survive for longer period. Based on the tolerance to textile effluent, the wheat cultivars have been arranged in the following order: PBW-343 < PBW-373 < WH-147. It has also been concluded that effect of the textile effluent is cultivar specific and due care should be taken before using the textile effluent for irrigation purpose.     

Early Sprouting and First Stages of Growth of Rice Seeds Exposed to a Magnetic Field

The effects of a stationary magnetic field on the germination of rice seeds (Oryza sativa, L.) and on the initial stages of growth of rice plants have been evaluated. In both tests, the seeds were exposed to one of two magnetic field strengths (125 or 250 mT) for different times (1 min, 10 min, 20 min, 1 h, 24 h, or chronic exposure) as 12 separate treatments (doses D1–D6 for 125 mT and doses D7–D12 for 250 mT). Nonexposed seeds were used as controls (C). The mean germination time (MGT) was significantly reduced compared to control when seeds were exposed to magnetic field (54.00 h for D5 and D11, and 58.56 h for control). The parameters T₁ and T₁₀, times required to obtain 1 and 10% of germinated seeds, were also reduced. The T₁₀ of control seeds was 44.40 h, while treatments D5, D6, D11, and D12 gave rise to values of 36.00, 36.96, 32.64, and 39.36 h, respectively. The higher germination rate of treated seeds obtained in the germination test is in agreement with the higher lengths and weights of rice plants exposed to a magnetic field recorded on the growth tests. All the parameters measured were over the control ones, although the highest lengths and weights of rice plants were obtained for chronic exposure to magnetic field (doses D6 and D12). Stem length of control plants (45.36 mm) measured at the tenth day was significantly lower than that obtained for doses D6 (58.58 mm) and D12 (80.63 mm); the same behavior was observed on total length, stem weight, and total weight. Our finding indicates that this type of magnetic treatment clearly affects germination and the first stages of growth of rice plants.     

Inbreeding effects on fitness traits in the heterocarpic herb Leontodon autumnalis L. (Asteraceae)

Heterocarpic plants are characterized by the production of distinct types of fruits that usually differ in their ecological behavior. In the Asteraceae, differences are mainly found between peripheral non-dispersal and central dispersal achenes (single-seeded fruits). Inbreeding depression is considered as an evolutionary force as it may reduce several fitness traits, and in the case of heterocarpic plants, it could influence fitness traits (e.g., seed set, germination rate, growth rate) of each fruit morph, which may have important ecological and evolutionary consequences. In particular, differential effects on fitness traits and dispersal of selfed and outcrossed progeny can strongly determine the viability of extant populations and the potential to colonize new habitats. We conducted a hand-pollination experiment in greenhouse conditions to test whether inbreeding affects the fitness of achene morphs in the heterocarpic herb Leontodon autumnalis (Asteraceae). Results show that achene morphs significantly differ in their ecological behavior, peripheral achenes germinating more and faster than central achenes. The significant interaction between pollination treatment and achene morph for germination probability might indicate a link between dormancy and mating system in L. autumnalis: germination was higher for outcrossed achenes in central achenes whereas the opposite pattern was exhibited by peripheral achenes. Selfing dramatically reduced seed set, probably as a consequence of strong self-incompatibility mechanisms rather than inbreeding effects. Inbreeding depression significantly affected late life-cycle traits, such as growth rate and biomass at flowering. Overall, results suggest that inbreeding depression seems to be an important selective force maintaining outcrossing in L. autumnalis.     

Environmental influences on akinete germination and development in Nodularia spumigena (Cyanobacteriaceae), isolated from the Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, Australia

This study was carried out to investigate the genesis of N. spumigena blooms by specifically studying the effects of environmental variables (salinity, nitrogen, phosphorus and light) on the germination of N. spumigena akinetes. Optimal conditions for maximum germination and germling growth were determined by exposing akinetes to a range of salinities and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) concentrations under two different irradiances. At pre-determined time periods, treatments were sampled and the percent germination and length of germlings assessed. The results indicated that akinete germination and germling growth were optimal at salinities from 5 to 25 and significantly reduced outside this range. A positive correlation in germination was observed with increasing nutrient (phosphorus and nitrate) concentration. Similarly, germling growth increased with increasing concentrations of both nutrients. Irradiance significantly influenced both germination and growth during salinity experiments, whereas in nutrient addition experiments, irradiance had no effect on germination; however, growth was significantly influenced during phosphorus addition experiments. Consequently, salinity and light appeared to be most critical in the germination process for N. spumigena akinetes, with phosphorus most important for germling growth. The study showed that N. spumigena may be able to germinate under environmental conditions outside its optimal range, but the growth of the germling is significantly reduced, which in turn suggests that its ability to form a bloom outside its optimal environmental conditions would also be greatly reduced.     

Infection with the fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae may alter the allelopathic potential of red fescue

Red fescue (Festuca rubra) is a perennial grass used as both forage and turfgrass. Asymptomatic plants of this species are systemically infected by the fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae, which has a beneficial effect on the infected plants. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the endophyte Epichloë festucae on the allelopathic potential of F. rubra against four associated pasture species that are also considered as weeds in lawns, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Lotus corniculatus and Plantago lanceolata. Two experiments were designed to evaluate the allelopathic effect of extracts from the roots and leaves of endophyte‐infected (E+) and non‐infected (E?) plants on the germination and seedling growth of the four target species. Regardless of the endophyte status of the host plant, leaf extracts elicited a stronger reduction in germination and seedling growth than root extracts. Extracts from E+ plants reduced the speed of germination index of Trifolium spp. to a greater extent than those from E? plants. Radicle length of the target species was the parameter most affected by the presence of the endophyte in F. rubra. Root extracts from E+ plants had a greater inhibitory effect on the radicle growth of the target species than did root extracts from E? plants. A greater concentration in total phenolic compounds was found in the roots of E+ plants than of E?; however, this difference was not observed in the leaves. Thus, the allelopathic potential of F. rubra is altered in infected plants.     

A Leaf Spot of Water Hyacinth Caused by Drechslera spicifera

In the present study, corn meal agar was found as the best medium for growth of Drechslera spicifera, a pathogen of water hyacinth. Small water hyacinth plants exhibited a smaller number of lesions/leaf when inoculated with D. spicifera compared with inoculated medium and large plants. However, percentage total diseased area/leaf was almost the same among the different plant sizes. The pathogen did not interfere with the vegetative plant growth, since, both infected and healthy water hyacinth plants of the same age showed similar percentages of new leaf growth. Leaf diffusates of water hyacinth plants significantly reduced conidiospore germination in D. spicifera.     

Biodegradation and detoxification of dyes and industrial effluents by Ganoderma weberianum B-18 immobilized in a lab-scale packed-bed bioreactor

White-rot fungi are considered to be promising biotechnological tools to complement or replace the current technologies for the treatment of effluents from textile production plants. The aim of this work was to investigate the decolorization capacity of Ganoderma weberianum B-18 in solid state fermentation with sugarcane bagasse as a substrate and ligninolytic inducer as well as to decolorize and detoxify industrial effluents by this strain in a laboratory scale packed-bed bio-reactor. The results demonstrated that G. weberianum B-18 indeed showed to possess decolorization capacity in solid state fermentation with sugarcane bagasse supplemented with synthetic dyes. Moreover, fungal biomass of G. weberianum B-18 immobilized in sugarcane bagasse in a packed-bed bioreactor was shown to efficiently decolorize and detoxify different dyes and authentic industrial effluents in semi-continuous conditions. In this decolorization process, laccase enzymes secreted by the fungus played the main role. Hence, a packed-bed reactor with G. weberianum B-18 immobilized in sugarcane bagasse seems to be a suitable system for the further development of an efficient bioprocess for large-scale treatment of dye-containing wastewaters.     

The barley anion channel,HvALMT1, has multiple roles in guard cell physiology and grain metabolism

The barley (Hordeum vulgare) gene HvALMT1 encodes an anion channel in guard cells and in certain root tissues indicating that it may perform multiple roles. The protein localizes to the plasma membrane and facilitates malate efflux from cells when constitutively expressed in barley plants and Xenopus oocytes. This study investigated the function of HvALMT1 further by identifying its tissue‐specific expression and by generating and characterizing RNAi lines with reduced HvALMT1 expression. We show that transgenic plants with 18–30% of wild‐type HvALMT1 expression had impaired guard cell function. They maintained higher stomatal conductance in low light intensity and lost water more rapidly from excised leaves than the null segregant control plants. Tissue‐specific expression of HvALMT1 was investigated in developing grain and during germination using transgenic barley lines expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) with the HvALMT1 promoter. We found that HvALMT1 is expressed in the nucellar projection, the aleurone layer and the scutellum of developing barley grain. Malate release measured from isolated aleurone layers prepared from imbibed grain was significantly lower in the RNAi barley plants compared with control plants. These data provide molecular and physiological evidence that HvALMT1 functions in guard cells, in grain development and during germination. We propose that HvALMT1 releases malate and perhaps other anions from guard cells to promote stomatal closure. The likely roles of HvALMT1 during seed development and grain germination are also discussed.     

Regulatory‐associated protein of TOR (RAPTOR) alters the hormonal and metabolic composition of Arabidopsis seeds,controlling seed morphology,viability and germination potential

Target of Rapamycin (TOR) is a positive regulator of growth and development in all eukaryotes, which positively regulates anabolic processes like protein synthesis, while repressing catabolic processes, including autophagy. To better understand TOR function we decided to analyze its role in seed development and germination. We therefore performed a detailed phenotypic analysis using mutants of the REGULATORY‐ASSOCIATED PROTEIN OF TOR 1B (RAPTOR1B), a conserved TOR interactor, acting as a scaffold protein, which recruits substrates for the TOR kinase. Our results show that raptor1b plants produced seeds that were delayed in germination and less resistant to stresses, leading to decreased viability. These physiological phenotypes were accompanied by morphological changes including decreased seed‐coat pigmentation and reduced production of seed‐coat mucilage. A detailed molecular analysis revealed that many of these morphological changes were associated with significant changes of the metabolic content of raptor1b seeds, including elevated levels of free amino acids, as well as reduced levels of protective secondary metabolites and storage proteins. Most of these observed changes were accompanied by significantly altered phytohormone levels in the raptor1b seeds, with increases in abscisic acid, auxin and jasmonic acid, which are known to inhibit germination. Delayed germination and seedling growth, observed in the raptor1b seeds, could be partially restored by the exogenous supply of gibberellic acid, indicating that TOR is at the center of a regulatory hub controlling seed metabolism, maturation and germination.     

Seed germination,plant growth and physiological responses of Salsola ikonnikovii to short-term NaCl stress

Salsola ikonnikovii (Chenopodiaceae), a drought-tolerant plant species that is distributed in sand or light-saline soil in Xinjiang, China, produces seeds (fruits) with attached winged perianths. To study the role of the wing in seed germination under salt stress and to further investigate the growth and physiological responses of the plants to salt stress, the germination behaviour of S. ikonnikovii was determined after winged and non-winged seeds were treated with 0–1000 mmol · L^?1 NaCl. Several parameters of two-month old plants that had been treated with NaCl for three weeks were measured. The results revealed that the winged perianths limited germination but protected the seeds from salt damage. The growth of the plants was stimulated by lower concentrations of salt (≤100 mmol · L^?1 NaCl), while increasing salt concentrations inhibited growth. The level of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde increased significantly at high concentrations of salt. Correspondingly, concentrations of the osmolytes proline, betaine, and soluble sugars, and the activities of antioxidative enzymes (catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) increased, but the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants (carotenoids, glutathione) were significantly reduced at high salt concentrations. These results imply that osmotic adjustment and the antioxidative system may work synergistically to ensure that a plant grows normally under high salt concentrations.     

Effects of neodymium magneto-priming on seed germination and salinity tolerance in tomato

Earth's biosphere is surrounded by magnetic fields that affect all living organisms. A plant's response to magnetic fields is displayed in terms of its seed's vigor, growth, and yield. Examining seed germination in such magnetic fields is the first step in the investigation of how magnetic fields might be used to enhance plant growth and maximize crop performance. In this study, salinity-sensitive Super Strain-B tomato seeds were primed with the northern and southern poles of neodymium magnets of 150, 200, and 250 mT. The magneto-primed seeds showed a significant increase in germination rate and speed, where the orientation of the magnet was identified as being crucial for germination rate and the orientation of seeds towards the magnet was shown to affect the germination speed. The primed plants exhibited enhanced growth characteristics, including longer shoots and roots, larger leaf area, more root hairs, higher water content, and more tolerance to salinity levels, up to 200 mM NaCl. All magneto-primed plants showed a significant decrease in chlorophyll content, continuous chlorophyll fluorescence yield (Ft), and quantum yield (QY). The salinity treatments decreased all chlorophyll parameters in control plants, significantly, but did not lower such parameters in magneto-primed tomatoes. The results of this study illustrate the positive effects of neodymium magnet on the growth and development of tomato plants in terms of their germination, growth, and salinity tolerance, and negatively affected the chlorophyll content in tomato leaves. © 2023 Bioelectromagnetics Society.     

巨尾桉叶片挥发物对三种植物种子萌发及幼苗生长的化感效应

为探讨人工巨尾桉林叶片挥发物对周边农作物的化感作用,采用不同质量新鲜巨尾桉叶片及由新鲜叶片提取的桉叶油对玉米、辣椒、西红柿等三种植物种子进行处理,观测其种子萌发和幼苗生长状况。结果表明:(1)在三种被测植物中,桉树叶片挥发物对玉米种子萌发影响最小,对辣椒影响最大;(2)当叶片用量小于200g时,桉树叶片挥发物对三种植物种子萌发影响不明显,当叶片用量达400g时,能完全抑制辣椒、西红柿种子萌发,并能极显著降低玉米种子萌发(P0.01);(3)玉米幼苗芽生长随叶片用量的增加呈现先促进后抑制现象,对芽高、鲜重、干重的促进和抑制均达到显著(P0.05)或极显著水平(P0.01);(4)当叶片用量小于或等于100g时,桉树叶片挥发物对辣椒、西红柿幼苗生长影响不明显,当用量达到200g时则能极显著抑制辣椒、西红柿幼苗生长;(5)桉叶油对三种测试植物的抑制效果与叶片自然挥发物相似,且效果更显著。     

Detection of estrogenic activity in Slovenian wastewaters by bioassay

Estrogenic activity has been detected in aquatic ecosystems across the world. However, there is a lack of such data for Slovenian wastewaters and surface waters. The Slovenian monitoring program of effluents discharged into surface waters does not require that emissions of natural and synthetic estrogens into aquatic environments be assessed and controlled. In our study, we assessed the potential estrogenicity of wastewater samples from three wastewater treatment plants using a yeast estrogen screen assay (YES assay). Due to the high inhibition of yeast growth in samples obtained during our first sampling period, it was impossible to detect any estrogenic activity. An additional silica gel clean-up step reduced the toxicity of samples collected during our second sampling period; as a result, we were able to record up to 95% relative estrogenic activity inhibition. Deconjugation of the estrogens did not significantly influence our results. We detected estrogenic activity using a YES assay in almost all influent and effluent samples tested, which suggests that the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) examined do not effectively remove (xeno)estrogens from wastewaters. Our results suggest that a YES assay is an appropriate screening method for monitoring estrogenic activity in effluents. However, prediction of the potential impacts of wastewater (xeno)estrogens on aquatic organisms require additional in vitro and in vivo assays.     

Actinomycetes inducing phytotoxic or fungistatic activity in a Douglas-fir Forest and in an adjacent area of repeated regeneration failure in Southwestern Oregon

Actinomycetes were isolated from the upper 1 - 3 cm of the soil layer in a well-developed forest and in an adjacent clearcut area where Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (MIRB.) Franco] regeneration had been impaired for two decades. The population density in the clearcut area was two times as high as that in the forested area. The percentage of actinomycetes that inhibited seed germination of the test plants was significantly higher in isolates obtained from the clearcut area than in those obtained from the forested area, and isolates from the clearcut showed five times the phytotoxic effect of those from the forest. Some actinomycete isolates, 4 % from the clearcut and 2.6 % from the forest, significantly reduced in vitro growth of two common ectomycorrhizal fungi of Douglas-fir,Laccaria laccata andHebeloma ovstuliniforme. Two actinomycete isolates from the clearcut reduced fungal growth by 40 % and 73 %. Reduction of the nutrient in the growth medium did not affect the antifungal activity of the actinomycetes. The data support the idea that, along with other factors, phytotoxic and antifungal actinomycetes may suppress natural regeneration or establishment of planted seedlings - either directly or. indirectly - through inhibition of seed germination or of mycorrhizal fungi.     

Increase of seed germination,growth and membrane integrity of wheat seedlings by exposure to static and a 10-KHz electromagnetic field

There is a large body of experimental data demonstrating various effects of magnetic field (MF) on plants growth and development. Although the mechanism(s) of perception of MF by plants is not yet elucidated, there is a possibility that like other stimuli, MF exerts its effects on plants by changing membrane integrity and conductance of its water channels, thereby influencing growth characteristics. In this study, the seeds of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Kavir) were imbibed in water overnight and then treated with or without a 30-mT static magnetic field (SMF) and a 10-kHz electromagnetic field (EMF) for 4 days, each 5 h. Water uptake of seeds reduced 5 h of the treatment with EMF but did not show changes in SMF treatment. Exposure to both magnetic fields did not affect germination percent of the seeds but increased the speed of germination, compared to the control group. Treatment with EMF significantly reduced seedling length and subsequently vigor index I, while SMF had no effects on these parameters. Both treatments significantly increased vigor index II, compared to the control group. These treatments also remarkably increased catalase activity and proline contents of seedlings but reduced the activity of peroxidase, the rate of lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakages of membranes. The results suggest promotional effects of EMFs on membrane integrity and growth characteristics of wheat seedlings.     

Reduced chemical defence in ant‐plants? A critical re‐evaluation of a widely accepted hypothesis

Since its original formulation by Janzen in 1966, the hypothesis that obligate ant‐plants (myrmecophytes) defended effectively against herbivores by resident mutualistic ants have reduced their direct, chemical defence has been widely adopted. We tested this hypothesis by quantifying three classes of phenolic compounds (hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, and condensed tannins) spectrophotometrically in the foliage of 20 ant‐plant and non‐ant‐plant species of the three unrelated genera Leonardoxa,Macaranga and Acacia (and three other closely related Mimosoideae from the genera Leucaena, Mimosa and Prosopis). We further determined biological activities of leaf extracts of the mimosoid species against fungal spore germination (as measure of pathogen resistance), seed germination (as measure of allelopathic activity), and caterpillar growth (as measure of anti‐herbivore defence).
Condensed tannin content in three of four populations of the non‐myrmecophytic Leonardoxa was significantly higher than in populations of the myrmecophyte. In contrast, we observed no consistent differences between ant‐plants and non‐ant‐plants in the Mimosoideae and in the genus Macaranga, though contents of phenolic compounds varied strongly among different species in each of these two plant groups. Similarly, among the investigated Mimosoideae, biological activity against spore or seed germination and caterpillar growth varied considerably but showed no clear relation with the existence of an obligate mutualism with ants. Our results did not support the hypothesis of ‘trade‐offs’ between indirect, biotic and direct, chemical defence in ant‐plants.
A critical re‐evaluation of the published data suggests that support for this hypothesis is more tenuous than is usually believed. The general and well‐established phenomenon that myrmecophytes are subject to severe attack by herbivores when deprived of their ants still lacks an explanation. It remains to be studied whether the trade‐off hypothesis holds true only for specific compounds (such as chitinases and amides whose cost may be the direct negative effects on plants’ ant mutualists), or whether the pattern of dramatically reduced direct defence of ant‐plants is caused by classes of defensive compounds not yet studied.     

The Inhibition of Rust Fungus Growth in Allopurinol-Treated Bean Plants: Indirect Evidence for the Involvement of Xanthine Oxidoreductase in the Biotrophism of Uromyces phaseoli

Allopurinol [4-hydroxypyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine], a specific, potent inhibitor of xanthine oxidoreductase, effective in vitro and in vivo, was applied to bean plants as soil drench at a 400 μM concentration 8–10 days before inoculation and strongly reduced the development of Uromyces phaseoli in bean leaves. Allopurinol was ineffective on uredospore germination, presumably due to the absence of any xanthine oxidoreductase activity in the extract of germinated uredospores. The concentration of allopurinol used for the treatment did not significantly influence the level of ureides in leaves mainly because low concentration of these compounds were found in leaves and also probably because allopurinol-insensitive biosynthetic route/s of these compounds are active in bean plants. This paper examines the possibility that host xanthine oxidase is in some way involved in the biotrophic nutritional process leading to the growth of bean rust fungus.     

Leaf and root extracts of the invasive shrub, Lonicera maackii, inhibit seed germination of three herbs with no autotoxic effects

In addition to effects mediated by resource competition, some invasive plants may impact surrounding vegetation by secreting compounds that are directly inhibitory to growth. Lonicera maackii, an invasive Asian shrub of forests and open areas in eastern and midwestern North America, has devastating effects on understory vegetation, some of which persist even after this shrub is removed. In this study, we explored the potential of aqueous extracts of the leaves and roots of this plant to inhibit seed germination of Impatiens capensis, Alliaria petiolata, Arabidopsis thaliana, and L. maackii in Petri dish bioassays. Both L. maackii root and leaf extracts significantly decreased germination in the three herb species. This inhibitory effect generally increased with increasing extract concentration and was more pronounced with application of leaf extract than root extract. However, when the same extracts were applied to seeds of L. maackii itself, germination was delayed in some cases, but was not significantly reduced by the end of the experiment. Germination of L. maackii seeds even reached significantly higher levels in some extract treatments than in no-extract controls. This implies that L. maackii can successfully inhibit the germination of other plants with few autotoxic effects and may even promote the germination of its own seeds.