Vol. 16—1962 - NorthEastern Weed Science Society

233
The inhibitory activity was assayed according to the method of Lell'e-rte
and Clagett (1960). This consisted of placing 5 alfalfa seeds in 5 mI. be~ers
containing a fileer disk wetted with .5 mI. test solution. The seedlings were
grown 4 days and the percent inhibition was calculated in relation to controls
grown in distilled water.
In later experiments, ground meal was placed in dialysis tubing with one
end open and autoclaved. The meal was saturated Wit'6'water, the other end of
the tubing was tied, and the bag was placed inaso6let extractor and extracted
with water. With .thia method extraction and dialy.sis ..were accomplished aimultaneously.
Results
and Discussion
Green vs.
Dry Plant Material
The results of the alfalfa seedling inhibition test showed inhibitionwaa
present in both green and dry Art .... ia vulgaris (Table 1).
Table 1. Inhibition from green Artemasia vulaaris
compared with extract from dry meal.
...---------- _ _ --_._.--_._--_-_.
Green
Dry
Percent inhibitionoiSeedling growth
* 58./100 2.58./100 1.4g./l00 5/8g./l00
92
95
----_ ------ _ _.._~_.._--
ii
95
44
92
50
73 .
* Concentration of extract in grams plant material extracted per 100 mI. 8OJution.
Extraction from Flowers, leaves. roots, and stems
Extracts from soxhlet dialysiS extraction of leaves, stems, roots, and
flowers all produced 100 percent iDbdbition of alfalfa seedlings at the concentration
comparable to ~ttract from 5g. meal in 100 mI. solution.
Table 2. Inhibition from flowers, leaves, roots, and stems.
Control
Flowers
Leaves
Roots
Stems
43
oooo.
00
100
100
100
100
Since the inhibitor was found in all parts of the. plant any plant material
could be used in f1arther extract1onl. thus a mbture,.of the above ground .parts