Potential Effect of Root Exudates from Ten Crops on Promoting Stress Tolerance in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Seedlings

Allelopathy plays a major role in agricultural production, influencing plant protection, crop yield, and crop rotation systems. This study investigated the effects of root exudates on 3105c alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) seeds and seedlings to identify crops with strong and weak allelo...

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Main Authors: Xiaoyan Zhang, Shangli Shi, Xiaolong Li, Changning Li, Qian Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Life
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/4/600
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author Xiaoyan Zhang
Shangli Shi
Xiaolong Li
Changning Li
Qian Li
author_facet Xiaoyan Zhang
Shangli Shi
Xiaolong Li
Changning Li
Qian Li
author_sort Xiaoyan Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Allelopathy plays a major role in agricultural production, influencing plant protection, crop yield, and crop rotation systems. This study investigated the effects of root exudates on 3105c alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) seeds and seedlings to identify crops with strong and weak allelopathic potential. The results revealed that corn (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) (T1) exhibited the strongest allelopathic effects, whereas soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> (Linn.) Merr.) (T10) exhibited the weakest effects. T1 promoted seed germination by increasing radicle length and the simple vitality index. Both T1 and T10 promoted 3105c seedling growth and enhanced antioxidant capacity, albeit through different mechanisms. T1 primarily increased antioxidant capacity by elevating ascorbate and dehydroascorbate levels while reducing malondialdehyde content. In contrast, T10 enhanced antioxidant capacity by increasing soluble sugar and protein levels via hydroxyl free radical inhibition. These findings demonstrate that the allelopathic properties of corn effectively promote alfalfa growth by enhancing seed germination and improving physiological stress resistance.
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issn 2075-1729
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spelling doaj-art-91f8beab048a4518aff31b6249e820962025-08-20T02:18:14ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-04-0115460010.3390/life15040600Potential Effect of Root Exudates from Ten Crops on Promoting Stress Tolerance in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) SeedlingsXiaoyan Zhang0Shangli Shi1Xiaolong Li2Changning Li3Qian Li4College of Agriculture and Bioengineering, Longdong University, Qingyang 745000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Grassland Ecosytem (Ministry of Education), College of Grassland Science, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaCollege of Agriculture and Bioengineering, Longdong University, Qingyang 745000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Grassland Ecosytem (Ministry of Education), College of Grassland Science, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaCollege of Agriculture and Bioengineering, Longdong University, Qingyang 745000, ChinaAllelopathy plays a major role in agricultural production, influencing plant protection, crop yield, and crop rotation systems. This study investigated the effects of root exudates on 3105c alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) seeds and seedlings to identify crops with strong and weak allelopathic potential. The results revealed that corn (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) (T1) exhibited the strongest allelopathic effects, whereas soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> (Linn.) Merr.) (T10) exhibited the weakest effects. T1 promoted seed germination by increasing radicle length and the simple vitality index. Both T1 and T10 promoted 3105c seedling growth and enhanced antioxidant capacity, albeit through different mechanisms. T1 primarily increased antioxidant capacity by elevating ascorbate and dehydroascorbate levels while reducing malondialdehyde content. In contrast, T10 enhanced antioxidant capacity by increasing soluble sugar and protein levels via hydroxyl free radical inhibition. These findings demonstrate that the allelopathic properties of corn effectively promote alfalfa growth by enhancing seed germination and improving physiological stress resistance.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/4/600allelopathyalfalfaresistant physiologyroot exudatesseed germination
spellingShingle Xiaoyan Zhang
Shangli Shi
Xiaolong Li
Changning Li
Qian Li
Potential Effect of Root Exudates from Ten Crops on Promoting Stress Tolerance in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Seedlings
Life
allelopathy
alfalfa
resistant physiology
root exudates
seed germination
title Potential Effect of Root Exudates from Ten Crops on Promoting Stress Tolerance in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Seedlings
title_full Potential Effect of Root Exudates from Ten Crops on Promoting Stress Tolerance in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Seedlings
title_fullStr Potential Effect of Root Exudates from Ten Crops on Promoting Stress Tolerance in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Seedlings
title_full_unstemmed Potential Effect of Root Exudates from Ten Crops on Promoting Stress Tolerance in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Seedlings
title_short Potential Effect of Root Exudates from Ten Crops on Promoting Stress Tolerance in Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i>) Seedlings
title_sort potential effect of root exudates from ten crops on promoting stress tolerance in alfalfa i medicago sativa i seedlings
topic allelopathy
alfalfa
resistant physiology
root exudates
seed germination
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/4/600
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