In vitro allelopathic effect of aqueous extracts of sugarcane on germination parameters of wheat

Abstract

Allelopathy – interactions among plants for resources along with competition – is a composite phenomenon which has spacious potentials of application in agriculture. Understanding of interactions among plants, particularly cultivated crops, may be helpful in modifying crop cultivation pattern with consequent yields increments. In this study, we investigated the allelopathic effects of aqueous extracts of root, stem peels and leaves of sugarcane (<em>Saccharum officinale</em> L.) cultivar <em>51</em> at concentrations 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 g/l on germination indices and seedling biomass of wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum </em>L.) cultivar <em>Pirsabak-2005</em>. Results demonstrated that higher concentration (10.0 g/l) of extracts of root, stem peels and leaves significantly decreased mean germination time (MGT) but increased shoot and seminal root growth and seedling dry biomass; however, germination percentage was affected neither by extract concentration nor by plant parts used in the study. Extract concentrations up to 7.5 g/l had no effect on the studied parameters of wheat. Our result suggests that sugarcane’s allelopathy demonstrates healthy effects on wheat growth and that wheat could be cultivated in sequential rotation in field conditions.