Varietal differences in allelopathic potential of alfalfa

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants were found to contain water-soluble substances that inhibited the germination and seedling growth of alfalfa (Chung and Miller 1990, Agron. J. 87. 762-767). Tsuzuki et al. (1999 Rep. Kyushu Branch Crop Sci. Soc. Japan 65, 39-40) discovered allelochemicals in alfalfa plants that could have adverse effects on the growth of some lowland weeds. This study was conducted to investigate varietal differences in allelopathic potential in alfalfa plants. Eight common varieties of Japanese alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). namely Batasu, Hisawakaba. Kitawakaba. Makiwakaba. Natsuwakaba, Lucerne, Tachiwakaba and Yuba. were grown by conventional methods in the Experimental Field of the Crop Science Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Miyazaki University. Aqueous extracts of both fresh and dried material of alfalfa plants of all varieties significantly inhibited both germination and growth of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Leachates from germinating seeds of almost all alfalfa varieties inhibited elongation of the radicle but produced a negligible increase in germination and only slightly inhibited elongation of the hypocotyl of lettuce plants. Results demonstrated that the degree of inhibition of germination and growth of lettuce varied with the variety of alfalfa. In particular. Lucerne was identified as having the strongest allelopathic potential of the varieties studied. The results suggested that the allelopathic potential of alfalfa might be relating to a gene.