Phytotoxicity from plant residues. I. The influence of rotted wheat straw on seedling growth

Cold aqueous extracts of wheat straw, that had been rotted for periods up to 6 weeks, have been shown to inhibit the growth of wheat and oats grown under aseptic conditions. The degree of inhibition varied with the time of rotting and was at a maximum after 2–6 days. Roots were far more sensitive than shoots to inhibitors. Wheat shoots were inhibited more than oat shoots, but oat roots were inhibited more than wheat roots. Prolonged storage of straw or weathering of wheat stubble in the field reduced this inhibitory effect