Effect of Water and Methanol Extracts of Common Buckthorn Berries on the Germination and Growth of Lettuce and Native Grass Seeds
Location
CSU 253/4/5
Start Date
4-4-2011 11:00 AM
End Date
4-4-2011 12:30 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
The Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is an invasive species and a major threat to natural areas in Minnesota. The purpose of this research was to determine if water and methanol extracts of berries of the Common Buckthorn will reduce the germination and growth of lettuce and native grass seeds (Little Blue Steam, Bottlebrush and/or Canada Wild Rye). The berries were collected last fall and refrigerated. The berries were macerated in a blender. Different amounts of the berries were extracted with water by agitating for 5 minutes with a Vortex mixer and then centrifuged for 10 minutes at 2500 rpm. Water extracts (10 mls) were added to Petri dishes lined with filter paper and containing 10 seeds. Then methanol was added to the berries and the processes repeated. All methanol extracts were allowed to evaporate before adding 10 seeds and 10 mls of distilled water. All treatments were done in triplicate. Water and methanol controls were also done in triplicate. The seeds were incubated at 25C under 14 hour light/10 hour dark cycle. Germination of seeds was monitored daily and at the end of incubation period the root length of each seed that germinated was measured. The results of this research will be presented.
Effect of Water and Methanol Extracts of Common Buckthorn Berries on the Germination and Growth of Lettuce and Native Grass Seeds
CSU 253/4/5
The Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is an invasive species and a major threat to natural areas in Minnesota. The purpose of this research was to determine if water and methanol extracts of berries of the Common Buckthorn will reduce the germination and growth of lettuce and native grass seeds (Little Blue Steam, Bottlebrush and/or Canada Wild Rye). The berries were collected last fall and refrigerated. The berries were macerated in a blender. Different amounts of the berries were extracted with water by agitating for 5 minutes with a Vortex mixer and then centrifuged for 10 minutes at 2500 rpm. Water extracts (10 mls) were added to Petri dishes lined with filter paper and containing 10 seeds. Then methanol was added to the berries and the processes repeated. All methanol extracts were allowed to evaporate before adding 10 seeds and 10 mls of distilled water. All treatments were done in triplicate. Water and methanol controls were also done in triplicate. The seeds were incubated at 25C under 14 hour light/10 hour dark cycle. Germination of seeds was monitored daily and at the end of incubation period the root length of each seed that germinated was measured. The results of this research will be presented.
Recommended Citation
Veit, Jordy. "Effect of Water and Methanol Extracts of Common Buckthorn Berries on the Germination and Growth of Lettuce and Native Grass Seeds." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 4, 2011.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2011/poster-session-B/8
