Allelopathic potential and allelochemical composition in different soil layers of Rhododendron delavayi forest, southwest China

Forests habituated by Rhododendron delavayi often lack understory vegetation, which could possibly be a consequence of allelopathy. It is phenomenon virtue certain plant species produce allelochemicals that affect the growth and behavior surrounding plants. To elucidate allelopathic potential present in different layers R. forest, extracts obtained from three forest were used for seed germination bioassays gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. Aqueous litter humus significantly inhibited , Festuca arundinacea Lolium perenne with layer causing strongest inhibitory effect. A total 26 identified litter, humus, soil GC–MS The primary organic acids, while main phenolic acids. redundancy analysis revealed significance nitrogen (TN) relative water content (RWC) explaining distribution allelochemicals. results indicated exerted maximum effect due to presence amount allelochemical especially