Allelopathic properties of knotweed rhizome extracts

Our objective was to determine which rhizome extract from Japanese knotweed, Giant knotweed or Bohemian knotweed has the most significant inhibition effect on the germinated seeds. The seeds of white mustard were incubated with the extracts for two days under laboratory conditions. We monitored differences in number of germinated seeds, length of radicles, hypocotyls and root/shoot ratio between the control and experimental seeds. Inhibitory effect of extracts from dried knotweed rhizomes was confirmed, but without differences among tested plants. A higher allelopathic effect was revealed in the case of extract from aboveground parts.