Kevin Jones BIOL 1210-AP Patricia OLeary 10/24/2008 The Effects of Essential Oils on the Growth of Radish Seeds,

Raphanus raphanistrum L., and how it can be used as an Allelochemical

Introduction Allelopathy is commonly defined as any direct of indirect, stimulatory or inhibitory, influence on plants due to chemicals released into the environment by a plant (Fujii et.al. 2006). A number of plants have an inhibitory effect on the growth of neighboring or successional plants by releasing allelopathic chemicals into the soil, either as exudates from the living tissues or by decomposition of plant materials (Fujii et. al. 2006). For example, a barley straw extract was found to effectively inhibit the growth of several planktonic and filamentous algae in the laboratory and reservoirs (Ahn et. al. 2005). The purpose of this study is to determine if essential oils such as White Pine (Pinus strobus), Geranium (pelargonium asperum) and mineral oil would inhibit the growth and germination of radish seeds (Raphanus sativus). The results from this study could prove to be beneficial to the environment as well as our health. Several studies have demonstrated that allelopathy can play an important role in limiting plant distribution (Hufbauer et al, 2007). Allelochemicals will act as natural weed killers or pesticides, substituting for chemicals that harm our bodies and agriculture. Another possible benefit of allelopathy is the reduction of costs. Plants that well suppress tree growth may be used as a herbicide application when pruning off power lines.

Hypothesis & Prediction Before the experiment, I came up with a hypothesis. The hypothesis I came up with was that the secondary compounds will inhibit the growth and germination of the plants. I came to this hypothesis from believing that mineral oil would cause the seeds to have growth and germination, while the White Pine and Geranium would inhibit it. Our prediction was, if secondary compounds are used, then plant growth and germination will be inhibited.

Methods Our experiment included three petri dishes and six sheets of filter papers. We placed two filter papers in each petri dish lid, and then we proceeded to stencil circles on the filer paper located in each of the petri dishes. We then placed three milliliters of dionized water into pipets and saturated the entire filter paper in the petri dish. At the seed station we paced five radish seeds in each dish, but we did not place any of the seeds on the edges of the petri dish. We then proceeded to the treatment station where we labeled the bottom of each petri dish with each treatment. The treatments consisted of Geranium, White Pine, and the control. We applied one drop of the treatments to there appropriate Petri dishes. We used parafim to seal the dish and placed a rubber band around the three petri dishes. One week later we returned to the petri dishes to see what had resulted and recoreded the information.

Results According to the class average the control, mineral oil had the most growth activity of 5% germination. The White Pine essential oil had 0% seed germination, and Geranium had 2% average seed germination (Figure 1). The average seedling length of a radish seed that was in the control treatment was 56 mm. The seeds in the White Pine treatment had an average length of 0.0 mm of growth, none of the seeds germinated. The radish seeds in the Geranium treatment had an average length of 1 mm for the class. Figure 1
6% 5% 4% 3% 2% 1% 0% Mineral Oil White Pine Geranium

Table 1 Treatment White Pine Geranium Mineral Oil Average Seedling Length (mm) 0 1.5 4.75

Conclusion : The use of alleochemicals do have an effect on the growth of the radish seeds, thus, supporting my prediction that the oils will slow down the growth of the seeds.

Discussion In this experiment, I found that the essential oil, Geranium, had allelopathic activity. In contrast, White Pine inhibited the growth fully, for each group in my class. The control, mineral oil, produced the most germinated radish seeds. Since mineral oil doesnt produce allelochemicals, almost all the seeds were able to germinate. The control had the longest seedling lengths as well. Geranium barely had any seed germination proving that it possessed allelochemicals. However, the allelochemicals were not 100% effective because there was some seed germination. Last, the essential oil White Pine had no characteristics suggesting that it would have allelochemicals since it caused no seed germination. My hypothesis was proven to be accurate. I predicted that the secondary compounds would inhibit oil proved to be allelopathic, but because of the failure to all seeds from germinating in the Geranium test, it seems as if Geranium and White Pine are not allelopathic. There could have been sources of error in this experiment that caused the results that were observed. An example of error is that the White Pine oil could have not received as much light as needed for the seeds to grow. Another example is that the natural oils in our hand, could have rubbed off onto the filter paper, causing a stop in the growth. In conclusion, allelopathy can benefit us, as well as the environment. This study partially confirms that Mineral Oil and Geranium can be allelopathic or that plants that possess allelochemicals do inhibit seed germination, like the White Pine oil. This study could be proved by having your hands washed before inserting the filter papers on the petri dishes, or that the dishes, or that the dishes could be left under light longer. This

study could be proved by having your hands washed before inserting the filter papers on the petri dishes, or that the dishes could be left under longer. This study could be further tested by testing other essential oils to see if the same results occur. Also the oils can be tested on other plants to see if that would make a difference in the results. Further study can be done also, to find other benefits of allelopathy. References Fujii, Y., S. Hiradate, Z. Iqbal, and H. Nasir. 2006. Plant Growth Inhibitory Activity of Lycoris radiate Herb. and the Possible Involvement of Lycorine as an Allelochemical. Weed Biology and Management, 221-227. Ahn, C.-Y., Han, M.-S., Kim, H.-S., Oh, H.-M., Park, M.-H., Yoon, B.-D. 2005. Growth Inhibition of Bloom-forming Cyanobacterium Microcystis Aeruginosa by Rice Straw Extract. The Society of Applies Microbiology, Letters in Applied Microbiology (2006), 307-312. Hufbauer, R.A., Edward P. Jarvis, Joseph A. Kopshever, Jennifer A. Lau, Kenneth P. Puliafico, Heidi Steltzer. 2007. Inference of Allelopathy is Complicated by Effects of Activated Carbon on Plant Growth. New Phytologist. 178: 412-423