Bong-Seop Kil

Allelopathic effects of water extracts ofArtemisia princeps var.orientalis on selected plant species

The allelopathic effects of wormwood plants (Artemisia princeps var.orientalis) and their possible phytotoxicity on receptor species were investigated. The aqueous extracts of mature leaf, stem, and root of wormwood plants caused significant inhibition in germination and decreased seedling elongation of receptor plants, whereas germination of some species was not inhibited by extracts of stems and roots. Dry weight growth was slightly increased at lower concentrations of the extract, whereas it was proportionally inhibited at higher concentrations. The calorie value of the organic matter in receptor plants measured by bomb calorimeter was reduced proportionally to the extract concentration. However, results with extracts of juvenile leaf did not correlate with inhibition or promotion of elongation and dry weight.

Allelopathic effects ofChrysanthemum morifolium on germination and growth of several herbaceous plants

Aqueous extracts obtained from young green tops ofChrysanthemum morifolium inhibited the germination of six flowering plants, including chrysanthemum itself, provided for experiments. The same phenomenon was also clearly observed when powder made from young green tops and old leaves of chrysanthemum was used. Moreover, the growth of seedlings planted again in garden soil which was once used for the culture of chrysanthemum was greatly interrupted. Chrysanthemum cultured in used garden soil showed far less dry weight than that cultured in fresh garden soil. The weight of chrysanthemum cultured using its root exudates was also less than that cultured with water leachate of fresh garden soil, and therefore these results may be considered to indicate allelopathic effects. In order to find the allelochemicals related to this phenomenon, benzoic acid and phenolic acids such as salicylic,p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, gentisic, protocatechuic, syringic, gallic, ferulic, and caffeic acids were identified by gas chromatography.

Allelopathic suppression of wheat and mustard byRumex dentatus ssp.klotzschianus

Laboratory studies were conducted to see the allelopathic suppression of wheat and mustard byRumex dentatus ssp.klotzschianus (Meissn) Rech. It was observed that aqueous extracts, rain leachates and litter from dried and fresh shoot and roots invariably inhibited the germination and seedling growth of both the crop species. Soil collected from beneathRumex dentatus also proved harmful for the germination and seedling growth. It is suggested thatRumex dentatus ssp.klotzschianus exhibits allelopathy against wheat and mustard.

Influence ofArtemisia princeps var.orientalis components on callus induction and growth.

An in vitro study was performed to determine the potential application of tissue culture in determining allelopathic potentialof Artemisia princeps var.Orientalis (wormwood). Aqueous extracts and volatile substances ofA. princeps var.Orientalis were tested to determine their effects on callus induction and growth of several tested species. Extracts of 5%A. princeps var.Orientalis caused some reduction in concentration, induction, and growth of callus, although they looked normal, whereas the expiants of most receptor plants did not develop callus at higher concentration. Lettuce andEclipta prostrata were the most sensitive species, andA. princeps var.Orientalis was affected by its own extracts. The growth of calluses in MS 121 medium treated with essential oil ofA. princeps var.Orientalis was inhibited, and the degree of inhibition was proportional to the concentration of the essential oil.

Impact of Surface Fire on the Dynamics of N 2 - Fixing and P - Solubilizing Microbial Population in Natural Grassland Soils, Southern India

Dynamics of certain fixing bacteria such as Rhizobium, Azospirillum and Azotobactor, nodule number in dominant legume, Atylosia trinervia, P-solubilizing bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi were studied in unburned and burned site of natural grassland, southern India. Population of - fixing bacteria, P-solubilizing bacteria, fungi and nodule number in legume increased significantly in burned sites. On the other hand, the actino-mycetes population remained unchanged. Thirty six species of fungi with tricalcium phosphate solubilizing ability were recorded. The most efficient P-solubilizing fungi recognised in the soils of the study sites are Absidia ramosa, Gongronella butlerii, Mortieralla spinosa, Mucor racemosus, Rhizopus nigricans, R. stolonifer, R. oryzae, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. nidulans, A. niger, Theilavia terricola and Cheatomium lunasporium.

Status of the Red-Listed Plant Species, Smilax wightii A. DC. in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Western Ghats, India

The rare endemic plant, Smilax wightii, is generally distributed in shola forests at high altitudes in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the Western Ghats, southern India. To determine the ecological status of the species, we surveyed 11 major shola forests in that region. S. wightii has a limited distribution in all sholas (frequency value of in the sholas except in Thiashola where it occurred at a density of 40 individuals/. The density of S. wightii was generally greater in the margins of the shoals, while the interior forests contained fewer individuals per unit area. The basal cover occupied by this species ranged between 2246 and . The importance value index for S. wightii was >2 in all shoals, which indicates that the species occupies an important position in the lower stratum of shola forests of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

Fire and Rangeland`s Management in India

Fire, usually a detrimental factor makes changes in commonly structure and functions when it is practiced properly. In countries like Australia, South Africa, Japan and Texas in USA etc., fire is used as a tool to manage the natural ecosystems in productive condition on the basis of ecological approach. However, in developing countries like India there is effective measure to use and control fire in rangelands. This review provides knowledge on changes in sociological characters of plants, biomass profile, cycling of materials and strategy to use fire for the shaping of communities in different rangelands located in India and other countries. Further, the informations furnished in this article will be more useful for the forest managers, planners of rangelands and administrators in countries like India and tropical countries with similar bioclimatic conditions to prepare appropriate management plans where the fire is an integral factor.

Allelopathic Effects of Fir Tree (Abies holophylla)

It was found that seed germination and seedling growth of selected species were inhibited by phytotoxic substance released from fir trees. The aqueous extracts of leaves caused significant inhibition in the seed germination of the receptor plants, Whereas seed germination of some species was not inhibited in extracts of leaves, but seedling elongation of the receptor plants was also decreased by the aqueous extract. Dry weight growth was slightly increased in lower concentration of the extract, while that was proportionally inhibited by higher concentration of the extracts. Chemical substances of fir trees were shown the biological toxicity. The GC method was employed for analysis of phytotoxic chemicals and sixteen chemical substances were identified such as benzoic, phenylacetic, etc. Also 33 volatile substances were identified from the fir tree. These chemical compounds are assumed the substances related to allelopathic potential of Abies holophylla plant species.

Strategy to Control Surface Fire using Vegetational Fire Breaks in Rangelands of Nilgiris, Southern India

To control the spread of surface fire in the rangelands and to check the entry of fire into forest systems from grassland patches, 26 evergreen / succulent species were selected and among them 3 shrubby species such as Berberis tintoria Lesch, Elaeagnus kologa Schlecht and Rhodomyrtus tomentosa Wt. were screened for vegetational fire breaks on the basis of leaf moisture content and some other ecological characters. The fire trail experiments indicate that crossing of fire was checked by the fire belt size of 5 1.5m for all the three species. However, due to higher fire retardant capacity, the Ire belt of R. tomentosa was effective in comparison to other two species.

Comparative macro- and micro-morphological studies on varieties ofParthenium argentatum Gray (guayule)

We investigated the leaf shape, venalion pattern, trichomes, stomata, and branching of the inflorescence axes in 15 varieties of guayule(Parthenium argentaturo Gray) growing in India. Working from our study objective, we were unable to identify any specific correlation between these macro- and micro-morphological characteristics and rubber content.