Action of volatile substances liberated from couch grass

A study was made of the action of volatile substances liberated from the rhizome of couch grass on wheat seedlings. The experiments were made in a closed atmosphere in glass vessels with continual removal of expired CO₂ and the addition of O₂. Volatile substances liberated from couch grass produced numerous morphological and physiological changes in wheat seedlings. They caused retarding of the growth of overground parts and roots, the excessive formation of root hairs, curling of the roots and bending of the coleoptiles. The respiratory rate was higher in the leaves and roots of the experimental wheat seedlings than in the controls. The changes observed were similar to those produced by hydrocarbons of the ethylene series, which are well documented in the literature.