The Allelopathic Effects of Juniperus Virginiana on Native Iowa Plants

Abstract

Some plants are known to produce allelopathic compounds that affect the growth of surrounding plants and organisms. This study explores the effect of potential allelopathic chemicals produced by Juniperus virginiana on representative monocot and dicot species. Leachate was made by boiling cedar foliage to represent rainwater leachate. A full strength and half strength solution was made and applied to corn and pea plants for about a month, with water used as a control. After a month of treatment, germination data and above ground biomass data were collected. Data collected from corn indicated a statistically significant difference between the control and full treatments for both germination and biomass growth (p = 0.016, P = 0.0032). Data from pea plants indicated no significant difference between the means for either germination or biomass growth data (p = 0.896, p = 0.968). The differences in responses are explored, and further research is suggested. The effect of allelopathy and the degree to which certain individuals are affected is important for conservation.