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7746108 
Journal Article 
Effects of lemon balm (Melissa Officinalis L.) extract on germination and seedling growth of six plants 
Kato-Noguchi, H 
2001 
Yes 
Acta Physiologiae Plantarum
ISSN: 0137-5881
EISSN: 1861-1664 
Polish Academy of Sciences 
KRAKOW 
23 
1 
49-53 
English 
WOS:000167990300007 
The n-hexane-, acetone- and water-soluble fractions obtained from an aqueous acetone extract of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) shoots inhibited the germination and the growth of roots and shoots of cockscomb (Amaranthus caudatus L.), cress (Lepidium sativum L.), crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis L.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). The inhibitory activity of the water-soluble fraction was the greatest, followed by that of acetone- and n-hexane-soluble fractions in all bioassays. The effectiveness of these fractions on the roots was greater than that of the shoots of the test plants. Significant reductions in the germination and growth of the roots and shoots were observed as the extract concentration increased. Such rate-dependent responses of the test plants to the fractions suggest that each fraction might contain allelochemical(s), but that the greatest potential was in the water-soluble fraction. 
allelopathy; germination; growth; lemon balm; Melissa officinalis; weed control