LEACHING OF WATER-SOLUBLE ORGANIC-SUBSTANCES FROM CONIFEROUS NEEDLE LITTER

The loss of water-soluble organic substances by leaching from coniferous litter was investigated. The aqueous extracts obtained under laboratory conditions were bioassayed using the lettuce growth test. The leachates contained neutral, basic and acidic ethyl acetate-soluble growth-regulating factors including inhibitors and compounds with gibberellin-like activity in the chromatographic bioassay. Chemical studies of the needle litter leachates indicated that the aqueous solution contained phenolic substances. The results represent a check for the characterization of litter extracts and can be used as a basis for further work on estimation of additional compounds formed during decomposition of coniferous needle litter, and their ecological significance. © 1979.