Effects of Cattail and Bulrush Root Extracted with 4 Four Different Solvents on the Germination and Growth of Lettuce Seeds
Location
CSU 253/4/5
Start Date
23-4-2007 1:00 PM
End Date
23-4-2007 3:00 PM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Beth Proctor
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
Typha angustifolia (cattail) and Scirpus fluviatilis (bulrush) are two wetland plants. Cattails are among the first wetland plants to colonize an area of newly exposed mud and can out-compete bulrush to dominate wetland systems. Recent literature has implied that T. angustifolia may produce chemicals that inhibit or retard the growth of other wetland plants. The purpose of our research was to determine if the roots of the cattail and the bulrush produced such chemicals by applying their root extracts to lettuce seeds. Ten cattails and 10 bulrushes were planted alone into individual buckets, and 10 cattails were planted with 10 bulrushes in individual buckets. In addition, three buckets with 2 cattails each and three buckets with 2 bulrushes each were prepared. At the end of 100 days, selected buckets were harvested. The shoots were separated from the roots and wet and dry biomass was determined for each plant. Roots were crushed and serially extracted with methanol, dichloromethane, ethyl ether and hexane. Lettuce seeds were treated with the various rootsolvent extracts. Both germination of the lettuce seeds and growth of the seeds (sprout length) were recorded for one week. Controls (lettuce seeds treated only with the solvents) were also employed. The results of this study are presented.
Effects of Cattail and Bulrush Root Extracted with 4 Four Different Solvents on the Germination and Growth of Lettuce Seeds
CSU 253/4/5
Typha angustifolia (cattail) and Scirpus fluviatilis (bulrush) are two wetland plants. Cattails are among the first wetland plants to colonize an area of newly exposed mud and can out-compete bulrush to dominate wetland systems. Recent literature has implied that T. angustifolia may produce chemicals that inhibit or retard the growth of other wetland plants. The purpose of our research was to determine if the roots of the cattail and the bulrush produced such chemicals by applying their root extracts to lettuce seeds. Ten cattails and 10 bulrushes were planted alone into individual buckets, and 10 cattails were planted with 10 bulrushes in individual buckets. In addition, three buckets with 2 cattails each and three buckets with 2 bulrushes each were prepared. At the end of 100 days, selected buckets were harvested. The shoots were separated from the roots and wet and dry biomass was determined for each plant. Roots were crushed and serially extracted with methanol, dichloromethane, ethyl ether and hexane. Lettuce seeds were treated with the various rootsolvent extracts. Both germination of the lettuce seeds and growth of the seeds (sprout length) were recorded for one week. Controls (lettuce seeds treated only with the solvents) were also employed. The results of this study are presented.
Recommended Citation
Biever, Jessica. "Effects of Cattail and Bulrush Root Extracted with 4 Four Different Solvents on the Germination and Growth of Lettuce Seeds." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 23, 2007.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2007/poster-session-A/8
