• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2000

Most parts of alfalfa plant have been reported to contain autotoxic substances that inhibit seed germination and early seedling growth, however, the chemical(s) is not still studied much. Effect of seed leachates of 'Vernal' alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was evaluated for inhibition of alfalfa germination and root growth through bioassay. Alfalfa seeds were extracted in 1 L deionized water for 1 h after soaking and the leachates caused to reduce root length of alfalfa significantly as the soaking time increased. Crude seeds at 4 g L$L^{-1}$ exudated autotoxins that reduce significantly root length by 34 % compared to the control, when the seeds soaked in deionized water for 24 h. However, the extracts did not affect final germination as well as speed of germination. Extracts from ground seeds significantly reduced speed of germination (GT 50) and root length. The results indicate that release of autotoxic substances from seeds during seed imbibition was increased with increase of soaking time and seed amount, and that autotoxicity was more occurred in ground seeds than in crude seeds.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2004

Compositae plants are known to contain biologically active substances that are allelopathic to agricultural crops as well as weed species. Aqueous extracts from leaves of Xanthium occidentale were assayed against alfalfa (Medicago sativa) to determine their allelopathic effects, and the result showed that the extracts applied onto filter paper significantly inhibited seed germination as well as root growth of alfalfa. Untreated seeds germinated in 60h, but extract concentrations greater than 30g $\textrm{L}^{-1}$ delayed seed germination. The extracts significantly inhibited seed germination of alfalfa, and $\beta$-amylase activity of alfalfa and barley seeds during 24-36 hours after treatment. Aqueous extracts of 40 g $\textrm{L}^{-1}$ from X. occidentale were completely inhibited the hypocotyl and root growth of alfalfa. Aqueous leaf extracts showed the highest inhibitory effect and followed by root and stem extracts. Early seedling growth of both alfalfa and barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli) was significantly reduced by methanol extracts. By means of high-performance liquid chromatography, chlorogenic acid and trans-cinnamic acid were quantified as the highest amounts from water and EtOAc fractions, respectively. BuOH and EtOAc fractions of X. occidentale reduced alfalfa root growth more than did hexane and water fractions. The findings of the bioassays for aqueous or methanol extracts reflected that the inhibitory effect of extract was closely related to the level of responsible allelochemicals found in plant extracts.

• Plant Resources
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2000

Autotoxicity restricts reseeding of new alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) after alfalfa until autotoxic chemical(s) breaks down or is dispersed into external environments, often requiring up to a year or more. One solution for reducing autotoxicity would be to select germplasms or cultivars with tolerance to the autotoxic chemical(5) and use genetically breeding program. Bioassay of seed germination and early seedling growth was conducted to evaluate autotoxic responses of 3 varieties of alfalfa to the water-soluble extracts(at 4 and 8g/L) from alfalfa ‘Cody’leaf by using agar and filter paper medium in a petri-dish assay. Root length at 5 days after seeding was more sensitive to the extract than was hypocotyl length or seed germination, and was a better parameter of autotoxic effects of alfalfa leaf extracts. Use of an agar medium gave better sensitivity of root length than did use of filter paper. Evaluating tolerance with percent of control was more important indicator than was mean of root length because of significant variation among varieties in root length of control treatment. Bioassay ranked varieties in the following order of tolerance on the basis of relative root length; “Cody” >“ Pioneer 5373” >“ Alfagraze”. Seedling growth from old “Cody” seed was more sensitive to the autotoxic chemical(5) than was that from newly produced seed.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.901-905
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• 2014

The efficacy of ozone micro-bubble water (OMBW) in reducing microbial populations on alfalfa seeds was investigated in this study. We observed the surface of alfalfa seeds using microscopy and found that many cracks and crevices existing on the surface could harbor pathogens. Alfalfa seeds were treated with tap water (TW), micro-bubble water (MBW), ozone water (OW), ozone micro-bubble water (OMBW), and chlorine water (CL) for 5 min, and total microbial population, E. coli and Salmonella spp. colonies were determined. Also, the sterilized seeds were germinated and cultivated for 5 d after sowing to investigate the percentage of germination and the growth of alfalfa sprouts. The treatments with OMBW and CL were most effective in reducing total microbial populations and E. coli was eliminated by OW, OMBW, and CL treatments. CL treatment reduced the percentage of germination and fresh weight of alfalfa sprouts, but OMBW did not cause any negative effects on the germination and growth of alfalfa sprouts. These results indicate that OMBW can be used as an effective sanitizer for eliminating seed-borne pathogens without detrimental effects on seed viability.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.821-832
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• 1997

The aim of this study was to separate or purify some bioactive compounds from flowers of alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) and to test of the isolated compounds on alfalfa for their autotoxicity and on Echinochloa crus-galli for their allelopathy for seed germination and seedling weight. Using thin layer chromatography(TLC) of $CHCl_3$ extracts, the most inhibitory band to alfalfa seed germination was determined. Germination inhibition of this extract suggested a complex chemical interaction. Separation and purification of compounds with CHCl$_3$ extract of fresh alfalfa flowers were conducted by a silica gel TLC, and microcrystalline cellulose TLC(MCTLC), followed by droplet countercurrent chromatography(DCCC) bioassay. Preliminary identification was done by high perfomance liquid chromatography(HPLC) on the most inhibitory fractions in DCCC. Ferulic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, rutin, narringin were identified in fraction 5 and ferulic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, rutin, coumarin in fraction 6. The phytotoxicity of their individual compound was tested on alfalfa and Echinochloa crus-galli seed germination and seedling weight. Coumarin and ferulic acid showed the most inhibitory effect on alfalfa seed germination and Echinochloa crus-galli seedling fresh and dry weight. These compounds may be, at least in part, involved in autotoxicity and allelopathy.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.310-315
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• 2000

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants have been reported to contain water-soluble substances that are autotoxic as well as allelopathic. Laboratory experiment through a petri-dish assay with imbibed seeds was conducted to evaluate both autotoxic and allelopathic effects of alfalfa leaf extracts on the germination and early seedling growth of alfalfa, red clover, crested wheatgrass, and Russian wildrye. Alfalfa seed germination was delayed dependent on extract concentration, with no difference in final germination at 72 hours. Root growth of alfalfa was stimulated up to 14% above control at very low concentrations of both leaf and stem extracts of alfalfa and was significantly reduced at extract concentration of more than 0.5g dry tissue/L (${gL}_{-1}$). Leaf extracts were generally more autotoxic for root growth than were stem extracts. Hypocotyl growth was not affected by all the concentrations of both leaf and stem extracts. Root length of legumes was more sensitive to the autotoxic chemicals from leaf extracts than was germination or shoot length. Hypocotyl growth of two legume plants and plant height of two grasses were not influenced by extracts. Seed germination and root growth of legumes were more inhibited by aqueous extracts of alfalfa leaf than were those of grasses. This result indicates autotoxic effect of alfalfa leaf extracts seems to be greater than allelopathic effect.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2000

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of seed coating on germination and early growth of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schr.), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) over sown on unploughed hilly and forested areas. Establishment and early growth of coated tall fescue and orchardgrass on unploughed hilly area were not significantly influenced by seed coating. Establishment and early growth of coated alfalfa on unploughed hilly area were higher than non-coated and showed 4.7% and 4.0 g/m2, respectively. Establishment of coated tall fescue (11.8%) on forested area were higher than noncoated (0.3%), but ealy growth of tall fescue was not significantly influences by seed coating. Establishment of over sown orchardgrass on forested area was not significantly affected by seed coating, but early growth of coated seed (18.7%) was better than that of non-coated (0.3%). Establishment of coated alfalfa on forested area were higher than those of non-coated. Results of this study indicate that the establishment and early growth of over sown tall fescue, orchardgrass, and alfalfa could be improved by seed coating.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2000

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of lime, zeolite, and rock phosphate as coating materials and coated seed size on germination, establishment, and early growth of pasture species at the experimental livestock farm, Yonam College of Agriculture in 1997. Germinating energy and germination of coated tall fescue and orchardgrass seeds were lower than those of non-coated seeds. Coated seed of tall fescue with 70% lime and 15% rock phosphate was the best in germination. The germination of small size seed (< ${\varnothing}2$ mm) was better than those of medium (> ${\varnothing}2$ mm and < ${\varnothing}2$ mm) and large size seeds (> ${\varnothing}2$ mm). Germination of coated orchardgrass seed with 55% lime and 30% rock phosphate treatment was higher than that of other coated seeds, and germination of small size seed was higher than those of medium and large size seeds (p<0.05). Germination energy and germination of coated alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil seeds were lower than those of non-coated seeds. Germination of coated alfalfa seed with 70% lime and 15% rock phosphate, and 45% lime and 55% rock phosphate was higher compared with other coated seeds. Germination of medium size seed was higher than those of small and large size seeds (p<0.05). Among coated birdsfoot trefoil seed, 45% lime and 40% rock phosphate treatment resulted in higher germinating energy and germination than other treatments. There was no significant difference in establishment and early growth of coated tall fescue and orchardgrass seeds. However, tall fescue and orchardgrass coated with 45 % lime and 40% phosphate rock showed higher establishment and early growth. There was also no significant difference in establishment and early growth of coated alfalfa among the treatments. Among coated treatments, establishment and early growth of alfalfa coated with 75% lime and 10% rock phosphate were the highest and showed 46.4% and $72.6\;g/\textrm{m}^2$, respectively. Establishment and early growth of coated birdsfoot trefoil with 55% lime and 30% rock phosphate were the highest among coated birdsfoot trefoil seed (p<0.05) and recorded 46.4% and $44.6\;g/\textrm{m}^2$, respectively. Results of this study indicate that the germination of coated grass and legume seed may be improved by increasing the percentage of rock phosphate and decreasing that of lime. With regard to seed size, the germination of pasture species with small seed size (< ${\varnothing}2$ mm) may be better than medium and large size seeds except alfalfa. Establishment and early growth of grasses can be also improved by increasing the percentage of rock phosphate and decreasing that of lime.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.403-411
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• 1994

To isolate, purity and identify of bioactive compounds involved in alfalfa allelopathy and/or autotoxicity, experiment was conducted. Isolation and separation procedures used from an 80% methanol extract of fresh alfalfa leaves(1kg), silica gel thin layer chromatography(TLC), followed by Droplet Counter Current Chromatography(DCCC). Preliminary identification was examined by high preformance lipid chromatography(HPLC). Four phenolic compound, salicylic acid, scopoletin, rutin, and quercetin, were identified and identified all compounds were phytotoxic to alfalfa seed germination and seedling growth. Among these compounds, quercetin treatment($10^{-3}M$) was most inhibitory to alfalfa seed germination and seedling growth. These compounds may be, at least in part, involved autotoxicity and allelopathy.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 1999

The proximate composition, pH, vitamins and minerals in sunflower seed sprout were investigated to furnish basic data for utilization in health food or processed food. The pH of sunflower seed sprout was 5.70. The contents of moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash and crude fiber of sunflower seed sprout were 94.7%, 1.3%, 0.3%, 1.3% and 1.6%, respectively. The vitamin A, vitamin B$_1$, vitamin B$_2$, vitamin C and niacin contents in sunflower seed sprout were 114.411. U%, 0.06mg%, 0.05mg%. 5.90mg% and 0.80mg%, respectively. The contents of Ca, P, Fe, Na, K, Mn, Cu, Zn and Mg in sunflower seed sprout per 100g were 80.00mg, 4.85mg, 3.63mg, 8.25mg, 180.90mg, 1.35mg, 0.43mg, 1.85mgand 66.35mg, respectively. The crude ash and crude fiber content of sunflower seed sprout were 3 or 4 times higher than those in the sprout of radish seed, mung bean, soybean or alfalfa, respectively.