Allelopathic effects of ginseng root exudates on the seeds germination and growth of ginseng and American ginseng

We investigated the allelopathic effects of ginseng root exudates on seed germination and biomass of ginseng and American ginseng. Ginseng was cultivated in a sterilized composite substrate. Root exudates were collected in-situ and then successively extracted with water and methanol. The two eluates were combined and partitioned with ethyl acetate. The water and ethyl acetate extract were recovered and assayed. Root exudates exhibited a stronger allelopathic effect on ginseng than on American ginseng. Water-extract was more inhibitory to seed germination and α-amylase activity of both ginseng and American ginseng. Root exudates inhibited the radical elongation of ginseng and American ginseng. The ethyl acetate extract proved more allelopathic. The inhibitory effects were concentration dependent. Ginseng root exudates had variable effects on the hypocotyl growth of ginseng and American ginseng. All extracts from roots of ginseng inhibited the fresh and dry weight of ginseng and American ginseng.