Hygrophila polysperma question

[kenneth_kpe]

hmm i head that it had allelophatic effects? a friend of mind told me this... he said it was rumored to hav allelophatic effects ? has anybody heard of this before ?

[Buck]

I would answer that for you if I knew what allelophatic effects were.

[grungefreek]

I would answer that for you if I knew what allelophatic effects were.

Yeah my biochem texts drew a blank on that term as well, even good didnt give me a good definition

[Buck]

Webster Dictionary had nothing for that word either... LOL... but then again...what does webster know.

[Nolan W.]

i did a google search, and i think "allelophatic" has something to do with algae control. didnt come up with a definate definition though. lol, "definate definition," same root. h. polysperma is a very fast grower, so it can outcompete algae for nutrients, if thats what youre asking. i dont think it releases any anti-algal chemicals, though. gotta ask my bio teacher what "allelophatic" means, lol.

[150EH]

I believe that allelophatic refers to the chemical production that gives a plant allelopathic properties. These properties can be either, one plants inability to grow or grow well next to another plant or one plants inability to grow or grow well in the same soil that another plant has previously grown.

I read this: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Entom...94/kebede.html

I thought it was very interesting because I am always looking for natural herbicdes that will work in the lanscape trade

[kenneth_kpe]

i was thingkin more in the line of the hygo causing other plants to die :P not the algae but hey ! that would be great !! but has anybody heard of hygro polysperma causing problems to other plants ? causing them to dwarf in size and sometimes killing them ?

[Buck]

Nope.
If anything it is one of the most helpful plants you can have in a tank, and pretty too.

[anonapersona]

I think it is simply that polysperma is such a fast grower, it sucks up nutrients and then hogs all the light. A weed by any other name...

[glass-gardens.com]

And cheap when the guy at Earl May doesn't realize that bare stems with about 2" of new growth on the end aren't really half dead and you get them for free (all 24 stems).

[SueNH]

It's just a real fast and efficient grower. Plan old outcompetes most other plants.

Here's an easy expaination of allelopathy:
http://csip.cornell.edu/Projects/CEI...llelopathy.htm

One caveat, the allelopathic chemical in black walnut trees, jugalone, will seriously lame or even kill hoofed animals if they graze or are bedded on leaves or shavings. Wouldn't bank on it being harmless to humans.

150EH, corn meal gluten is about the best pre-emergent herbicide you can use. Totally safe.
Sorghum is another but I'm not sure where you'd get in quantity.

[150EH]

Thanks, I've read about the corn meal gluten and some others, but none are yet practical in a commercial application. It won't be long before Chemlawn is shooting creamed corn on your lawn.

[RoseHawke]

Originally Posted by SueNH

<snip>
150EH, corn meal gluten is about the best pre-emergent herbicide you can use. Totally safe.<snip>

<thread hi-jack> Yeah! But just try finding the dern stuff!</thread hi-jack>

[SueNH]

Easy to find. Just ask at any livestock feedmill. It's a waste product but they caught on and it isn't as cheap as it once was. Most feed stores sell it now too but it costs an arm and a leg for that "special" bag. It also seems to inhibit some rusts. Not sure why but the theory is it encourages a certain mold that does have some allelopathic properties.

I've got some doubts as to whether an aquatic plant could be allelopathic. The plants mostly pump some sort of chemical into the soil one way or another. In an aquatic enviorment I don't see how any toxic/disruptive levels could be maintained.

I can see how a water plant could make itself unpalatable. The cell walls will hold a nasty tasting something but once the substance passes to water or soil it would wash away.

[RoseHawke]

Not down here. Trust me, I tried---"Whut? Do yu mean cornmeal?" heh. It's not as if I wasn't familiar with feed mills and the usual ingredients that go into feeds (at least horse feeds) either.