Vol. 16—1962 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

232
PRBLIMINARYSTUDIESONA GRoonJ IlIHIBITOR
FROMARTBMIS!AVULGARIS
C. W. LeFevre"and W. E. Chappell 1/
Virg,inia Agricultural Experiment ~~t1on
Bl.. sJ,urS. Virginia
The production of toxic substances by certain plants was DOted as early as
1832 when D8Candolle observed flax was inhibited Bp~ge and oats by hors ... ttle.
Since that tillie, considerable cirC\Dlltantial evidence supportins the presence of
these substances has appeared and more convincing evidences are now accUIIIUlatins.
The literature on this subject has Hen comprehensi'v;ely reviewed by Livingston
(1907). Loebwins (1937). Bonner (1950). B~rner (1960). and Woods (1960).
Artemasia vulgaris is rapidly spreading over lIUly areas of Eastern Virginia.
It bas few. if any. natural eD8lllies and has the abillty to choke out crops and
other weeds if allowed to grow undisturbed. Funke (1943) included Art_da
vulgaris in an experiment designed to compare inhibition of various plants near
hedges of species thought to secrete toxic substances into the soil. Plants
were inhibited up to 100 em. from Mt_sia absinthl. with the effect grlldually
tapering off in the last 50-60 em.' There wes' UDifo~ inhibition up to 60 em.
from the Mt_sia VUlgaris beyond which tbe p~,'\nts were DOrmal. Funke attributed
this effect to mechanical oppression of the Vigorously growins VUlgaris branches.
Plants growing near Atriplex hortensis were not affected. In another experiment,
seeds were placed in shallow bowls' containing either sailor soil mixed with the
leeves of Artemisia absinthi\D or AJitemesia !!!J.garis. There was reduced gemination
in the bowls containing plant'material of both plants, but the effect was
greater from the leaves of Art_sit absinthi\D.
In this paper. we are presenting tbe results of the extraction of a s,ubstance
from Art_sia YUIgar1s wbicb is inhibitory to the growth of alfalfa
seedlings.
Materials
and Methods
Art_sia vulaaris used in this study was air dried and ground in a 40
mesh whiley mill. Five g. of the ground meal was placed in a colEn and leached
with 300 Jll. water. The solution was evaporated under reduced pressure at 45 0 C.
and the residue dissolved in 100 mi. distilled water. This was diluted to make
a series of concentrations which were prepared for assay.
Extract of green Artem6sia vulsaris was prepared by placing fixe g. green
leaves and stems in 100 mI. water in a Waring blender. 'f'here it was ground 20
minutes and filtered with a Bachner funnel.
lAssistant Professor and Professor of Plant Physiology.