Recently, a lot of studies have been done on the beneficial uses of invasive alien plant species (IAPS). In our master's thesis, we were interested in whether IAPS extracts could be used to control the seeds of the perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). In a laboratory experiment, we investigated whether extracts from the non-root plant parts of knotweed (Fallopia sp.), American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), and Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) in any way affect the germination of perennial ryegrass. In addition, HPLC was used to analyze which phenolic compounds are present in studied species and how the time of extraction affects the content of these compounds in the extracts. From the experimental results, the extracts of knotweed, American pokeweed, and staghorn sumac inhibit seed germination and growth of the root and shoot of perennial ryegrass. Himalayan balsam extract had an inhibitory effect on seed germination and perennial ryegrass shoot growth. Extraction with methanol proved to be an efficient way to extract phenolic compounds from these plants. Longer extraction time significantly affected the content of hydroxycinnamic acids and hydroxybenzoic acids in staghorn sumac extract, the content of flavanols in the extract of knotweed, American pokeweed, and staghorn sumac, and the content of flavonols in the extract of staghorn sumac and Himalayan balsam.
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