The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of root excretions of spring cereal seedlings on seed germination of field pea and common vetch. The experiment carried out in March and April 2009 under laboratory conditions (in the IUNG laboratory) involved oat, barley, wheat, triticale, field pea and common vetch. Two concentrations of excretions were applied: I – corresponding to the effect of one cereal seedling on one legume seed, II – corresponding to the effect of five cereal seedlings on one legume seed. The effects were examined after 4 and 8 days. Root excretions applied in a lower concentration usually had no effect on the tested parameters characterizing the germination of peas and vetch seeds. However, the stimulating effect of barley excretions on the length of the pea and vetch rootlet was recorded as well as the effect of triticale on the length of rootlet and the mass and length of germ in pea. Favorable effect of triticale excretions was found both after 4 and 8 days from their application. Cereal excretions with higher concentrations, except for oat excretions, had mostly an inhibitory and in some cases even destructive effect on seed germination. No favorable effect of wheat excretions on seeds of both legume species was observed on any treatments.

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