Summary
Anaerobically decomposed wheat straw inhibited barley (Hordeum distichon) seedling root growth. By contrast, aerobic degradation of leaves of sweet vernal grass (Anthroxanthum odoratum) stimulated growth. Separation of the associated micro-organisms from their metabolites showed the effect to be largely chemical. However the isolated micro-organisms sometimes exerted a direct effect on seedling growth and this possibility should be taken into account when interpreting the results of experiments on effects of decomposing plant residues on plant growth.
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Chapman, S.J., Lynch, J.M. The relative roles of micro-organisms and their metabolites in the phytotoxicity of decomposing plant residues. Plant Soil 74, 457–459 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02181363
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02181363