A series of aqueous extracts and residues from leaves, stems, roots, pods and seeds of Korean black soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) were assayed against alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli) to determine their allelopathic activities through petri-dish and greenhouse experiments, and the results showed highest inhibition in the extracts or residues from the seeds, and followed by pods. The extracts of 40g dry tissue ~textrmL-1 applied on filter paper in petri-dish bioassay significantly inhibited root growth of alfalfa, and especially extracts from seeds and pods reduced root length of alfalfa more than those from leaves, stems, or roots. Plant height, root length, shoot and root dry weights of barnyard grass were reduced significantly by residue incorporation of seeds and pods as the incorporated amount increased. These results suggest that black soybean plants had herbicidal potential, and their activities were exhibited differently depending on plant parts.

• Sang-Uk Chon