Effects of Weeds on the Anatomy of Roots of Cabbage and Tomato

• Published in: Weed science Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 33 - 36
• Main Authors: Retig, B., Holm, L. G., Struckmeyer, B. Esther
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01-01-1972; Weed Science Society of America
• Subjects: Anatomy; Cabbages; Epidermal cells; Epidermis; Parenchyma; Plant roots; Plants; Root tips; Seeds; weed science; Weeds
• ISSN: 0043-1745; 1550-2759
• DOI: 10.1017/S0043174500034883

The effects of weed species on the anatomy of roots of cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) and tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) were studied. One crop seed was placed on agar in a test tube to germinate in association with four additional seeds of a weed species. All the weed species caused abnormal changes in the anatomy of cabbage and tomato roots. Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium L.) inhibited cell elongation and caused disruption of epidermis and disorganization of the root tissue in cabbage. Green foxtail (Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.) also caused disruption of cabbage roots. Mustard (Brassica kaber DC.) and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti Medic.) induced enlarged parenchyma cells of cabbage roots. The combination of tomato and jimsonweed resulted in disorganized root tissue or large roots with large parenchyma cells.