Allelopathic Effects of Humus Soil of Platycladus orientalis Forests on Understory Plants in the Loess Plateau, China

• Published in: Nature environment and pollution technology Vol. 15; no. 1; p. 317
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xiao-Xi, Zhu, Bo-Chao, Liu, Zeng-Wen, Bing, Yuan-Hao, Liu, Xiao-Bo, Liang, Xiao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Karad Technoscience Publications 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Allelopathy; Astragalus adsurgens; Coronilla varia; Forests; Medicago sativa; Melilotus officinalis; Precipitation; Seeds; Soil fertility; Trees; Vegetation; Vicia villosa; Water conservation; China; Loess Plateau; China, People's Rep., Loess Plateau; China, People's Rep
• ISSN: 0972-6268; 2395-3454

Allelopathic effect of humus soil of mono-species-community on the understory plants was a critical problem in the mixed reformation of planted pure forests. In order to investigate the practical allelopathic effect of humus soil of Platycladus orientalis forest on understory plants in the Loess Plateau of China and provide a scientific basis for its future management, humus soils of P. orientalis forests in the hilly (north) and gullied (south) areas of the Loess Plateau were sampled separately for pot experiment of 10 common species of shrubs and grasses, and seed germination, seedling growth and physiological indexes were measured during the whole test. According to the comprehensive analysis, humus soil of P. orientalis forest in the hilly area showed obvious allelopathic inhibition on Medicago sativa, Melilotus officinalis, Vicia villosa and Astragalus adsurgens; while in the gully area, it showed obvious allelopathic inhibition on M. officinalis, V. villosa and Coronilla varia. Species which are inhibited by allelopathic effects should be avoided choosing, to form mixed vegetation with P. orientalis.