Allelopathic Effect of Leaf Extract of Two Wild Plants on Seed Germination, Shoot and Root Lengths of Two Weed Species; Portulacaoleracea and Chenopodium murale

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of leaf extract of Rhanterium epapposum and Salsola imbricata at various concentrations (20%, 40%, and 60%) on the germination and shoot and root lengths of two weed species; Portulaca oleracea and Chenopodium murale. The present study findings proved that the inhibitory effect of seed germination and shoot and root lengths of the studied species was largely dependent on the concentration of R. epapposum and S.imbricata leaf extract. The results showed that the highest allelopathic effect on the germination of the seeds of C.murale by leaf extract of R. epapposum and S. imbricata especially at concentration of 40% and 60% . While the lowest effect was of the leaf extract of S.imbricata. However the concentration of 60% was higher on the germination of the seeds C. murale and P. oleracea. Results also showed that the root and shoot lengths of C. murael was more sensitive to allelochemicals of R. epapposum leaf extract compared to S.imbricata leaf extract. However, the root and shoot lengths of P. oleracea was more sensitive to allelochemicals of S. imbricata leaf extract compared to R.epapposum leaf extract. Hence, the present findings recommended using the R. epapposum leaf extract and S. imbricata leaf extract as a tool for weed management especially C. murale and P. oleracea.