Allelopathic effects of Sarcococca saligna on seed germination and seedling growth of Abies pindrow Spach.

To understand the process of natural regeneration failure in Abies pindrow forests in western Himalayas, allelopathic interactions of one understorey shrub species (Sarcococca saligna (D. Don) Muell.-Arg.) with the keystone species (Abies pindrow Spach) were studied. The effects of foliage leachates (0, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) of Sarcococca saligna were investigated on the seed germination, radicle, plumule and seedling growth of Abies pindrow. The leachate concentrations significantly inhibited the seed germination, radicle and plumule growth, seedling height and collar diameter of receptor species. The rate of inhibition increased with the increase in concentrations of leachates. Four phenolic compounds viz., neochlorogenic acid, trans-5-p-coumaroylguinic acid, kaempferol-3-O-glucopyranoside and flavanol were identified from the foliage leachates of Sarcococca saligna, which may be responsible for inhibiting the various processes in tree species. It seems that the dynamics of Abies pindrow - understorey (Sarcococca saligna) interactions created unfavorable conditions for the regeneration of Abies pindrow on the forest floor.