Allelopathic Effects of Two Grasses on Seed Germination of Three Wildlife Food Plants

Abstract

There is growing interest among landowners in south Texas to include wildlife food plants in planting mixtures with introduced grasses. The objective of this study was to determine effects of leachate from buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and Kleberg bluestem (Dichanthium annulatum) on seed germination of 3 grasses commonly planted for bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). Seeds of sorghum (Sorghum almum), 'Verde' Kleingrass (Panicum coloratum), and blue panicgrass (P. antidotale) were placed on substrata moistened by leachate of roots or leaves of buffelgrass or Kleberg bluestem. Experiments were conducted in a contmlJed environment chamber at 59-77° F (12 hours with darkness-12 hours with light). Kleberg bluestem leachate affected the seed germination of 'Verde' Kleingrass and blue panicgrass, while buffelgrass leachate affected seed germination of all tested species. Further research is needed to determine if similar results occur under field conditions.