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Use ofLemna minor L. as a bioassay in allelopathy

Journal of Chemical Ecology volume 11, pages 65–72 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

Investigations in allelopathy often require the use of a bioassay for evaluating limited quantities of potentially active growth regulators. A bioassay procedure was developed usingL. minor grown in 1.5-ml aliquots of nutrient medium with and without allelochemicals in wells of 24-well tissue culture cluster dishes with loose-fitting lids. Tests using six replications per treatment with several flavonoid compounds and derivatives of coumarin, benzoic acid, and cinnamic acid demonstrated that the bioassay was capable of measuring inhibition at levels of compound ranging from 50 to 1000 μmol. Strongly inhibitory treatments were visible after 1 or 2 days. After 7 days of growth, frond number, growth rate, and dry weight were used to evaluate effects. The bioassay system is relatively simple, very sensitive, reproducible, and can be used for testing small amounts and dilute concentrations of unknowns which have been separated by chromatography.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, 57069, Vermillion, South Dakota

    Frank A. Einhellig

  2. U. S. Dept. Agric., Agric. Res. Serv., Bldg. 1301, Ft. Detrick, 21701, Frederick, Maryland

    Gerald R. Leather & Lori L. Hobbs

Authors
  1. Frank A. Einhellig
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  2. Gerald R. Leather
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  3. Lori L. Hobbs
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Additional information

Supported under USDA Specific Cooperative Agreement No. 58-32U4-3-507. Mention of a trademark or proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also be suitable.

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Einhellig, F.A., Leather, G.R. & Hobbs, L.L. Use ofLemna minor L. as a bioassay in allelopathy. J Chem Ecol 11, 65–72 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987606

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987606

Key words

  • Bioassay
  • Lemna minor
  • allelochemical
  • allelopathy
  • duckweed