Introduction
Allelopathy is the beneficial or harmful effects of one plant on another. Allelopathy enhances a plants reproduction and survival by releasing chemicals from the flower, leaves, and roots. These chemicals are produced manly as a pesticide, anti-grazing agents, and even are used as a chemical agent to attack other plants. The dominance of a species is directly due to which plant is more competitive over one another when acquiring resources (Eppard 2005). The uses of allelochemicals are becoming a recognized use around the world by farmers as a pesticide. Farmers have recognized allelochemicals as an alternative to synthetic pesticides, and research is increasing in allelopathy in order to reduce environmental pollution (Almeida 2007).
In this experiment we will study the allelopathic effects of two essential oils and one mineral oil. The essential oils in this study are: Geranium essential oil (Pelargonium asperum), and White Pine Essential oil (Pinus strobus). One of the things that will be studied is the germination of a radish seeds (Raphanus sativus). Studying the compounds that inhibit the germination of plants is vitally important in understanding the ecological interaction of plants (Formisano 2007).
My hypothesis for this experiment is that I believe that the White Pine essential oil will inhibit the germination of the radish seeds more than the Geranium essential oil and the mineral oil.
Materials and Methods
During the experiment the materials that were used were: three petrie dishes, six pieces of filter paper, three milliliters of deionized water for each dish, five radish seeds (Raphanus sativus) for each dish, parafilm, a pair of forceps, and one rubber band. The essential oils that were used in the experiment were: Mineral Oil, Geranium essential oil (Pelargonium asperum), and White Pine Essential oil (Pinus strobus).
To begin the experiment each dish was turned upside down and so that the bottom of the dish was...