Allelopathic Effect of Three Wild Species on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Vicia faba, Hordeum vulgare and Triticum aestivum

Abstract

Many wild and cultivated grasses, exhibit allelopathy to exclude the associated species by reducing their regeneration. This process involving secondary metabolites produced by plant influence the growth and development of agricultural and biological system. This research was to determine the allelopathic potential of aqueous extracts of different wild species (Calligonum comosum  L, Her,  Rhanterium epapposum Oliv and Rhazya stricta Decne) on seed germination and seedling growth of three crops (Vicia faba, Hordeum vulgare and Triticum aestivum). Effect of water extracts from dry aboveground plant biomass in concentration of 10% (100 g/L) was examined under laboratory conditions in petri dishes. Germination indicators (Germination Percentage (GP) and germination start) were evaluated. The results showed that all the extracts significantly decreased germination percentage, plumule and radicle length of seedlings.  However, leaf extracts of R. stricta Decne had greater inhibitory potential and reduced seedling growth. The significant allelopathic effect remained up to 10 days. The extract had strong inhibitory effect to root elongation of seedling of plants. Differences in sensitivity between plant cultivars were documented. Based on the study results, stem, leaves and flowers residues of (C. comosum L, Her, R. epapposum and R. stricta Decne) showed a negative allelopathic effects on plant growth and should be eliminated from the field.