Inhibitional effects of the four dominant tall grass prairie species: on themselves and associated plants.

Abstract

Inhibitory studies were made on the four dominant species of the Tall Grass Prairie. They were big bluestem, little bluestem, switch grass and Indian grass. Experiments were conducted on seed germination and seedling growth and development of their own kind and on plants associated with them. Results from all data indicated that the four dominant grass extracts did inhibit Or stimulate seed germination within the first 24 hours of most species tested. Differences in germination results occurred between June and July. This may be due to reduced rainfall during this time, or a change in the phenolic quantity of the test plants because of their growth and maturation. Fungi were found in all test plates after 48 hours of the germination experiment. These fungi might interfere with or reduce the inhibitional effects of the test extracts. The four grass extracts inhibited seedling growth and development of some species including their own kind, but not in all species tested throughout the Summer.