Abstract:Cladophora sp. are cosmopolitans inhabiting waters with different salinity, from freshwater to hypersaline. Eutrophication of marine and inland waters results in the huge development of filamentous green algae, which reach high biomass and occupy large areas in different water bodies. In this study, we explored the effects of different configurations, extraction methods and concentrations of plant extracts on the growth and photosynthetic system of Cladophora sp. The results showed that the fresh weight of Cladophora sp. was significantly inhibited by Ginkgo biloba, willow and two compound leaves extracts The extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves had the best inhibitory effect on Cladophora sp., with a growth inhibition rate of 66.65% at 96 h. Furthermore, the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves also had a higher inhibitory effect on the photosynthetic system of Cladophora sp. . At 96 h, the inhibition rates of maximum PSⅡ light energy conversion efficiency (Fv/Fm), actual photochemical efficiency (Yield) and non-photochemical quenching parameters (NPQ) reached 96.69 %, 99.22 % and 78.06 %, respectively. The experimental results of different extracts on the algal inhibition of Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts showed that ethanol and acetone extracts showed stronger inhibition than chloroform and water extracts. Among them, ethanol extracts had the strongest inhibitory effect on the photosynthetic system of Cladophora sp., with the inhibition rates of Fv/Fm, Yield and initial slope of fast light curve (α) all reached 99% at 48 h. In addition, the results showed that there was a positive correlation between the extract concentration and algae inhibition effect. 3.00 g/L and 6.00 g/L groups had significant inhibitory effect on Cladophora sp.. The inhibitory rates of Fv/Fm, Yield and α of 6.00 g/L at 96 h were 99.87 %, 100 % and 100 % respectively. These results suggest that plant leaves extracts may be useful in controlling Cladophora sp..