Allelopathic effects of different weed extracts on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat

Abstract

The present study identified wheat varieties with strong grass resistance, clarified the physiological mechanism of their anti-grassing effect, and provided a scientific basis for the application of grass-resistant wheat varieties for producing high and stable yield of wheat. Ten wheat varieties commonly used in production were selected to study the effects of Descurainia sophia, Galium tricorne, Wild oat, and sativa extracts on seed germination and seedling growth. Results showed that the Descurainia sophia, Galium tricorne, Wild oat, and Vicia sativa extracts exhibited allelopathic inhibition on wheat seed germination and seedling growth. The allelopathic indices of wheat seed germination rate, seedling height, and root length were −0.12 to −0.19, −0.70 to −0.87, and −0.70 to −0.91, respectively. The weed extract had certain differences in allelopathic inhibition on wheat. The Wild oat extract had the strongest inhibitory effect on seed germination, whereas the Descurainia sophia extract showed the weakest inhibitory effect. The Vicia sativa extract had the strongest inhibitory effect on seedling growth, whereas the Galium tricorne extract showed the weakest inhibitory effect. According to the absolute value of allelopathic index, the effects of the four kinds of weed extracts on seedling growth index were systematically clustered. Results showed that the allelopathic inhibition rate of weed extracts on Wanmai 19 was weak, and the weed resistance was strong. The weed extracts had an allelopathic effect on the root activity and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in the leaves and could promote the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the leaves. However, they had minimal allelopathic effect on Wanmai 19. The seedling height and root length of wheat seedlings were significantly correlated with root activity, activities of SOD, POD, and CAT in the leaves and MDA content. Thus, the effect of allelochemicals on the cell membrane in weed extracts could be the cause of inhibited wheat growth.

A study on the allelopathic tolerance of garden pea varieties to Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. extracts

“…In a similar experiment with alfalfa and birdsfoot trefoil genotypes, Valcheva et al (2018) indicated the alfalfa variety Multifoliate and local birdsfoot trefoil populations LP1 and LP2 were characterized by increased tolerance to the allelopathic action of aqueous extracts of Cuscuta epithymum. In a comprehensive study, Shao et al (2019) investigated the allelopathic effects of four weed species (Descurainia sophia, Galium tricorne, Avena sativa, and Vicia sativa) on seed germination, germ length and weight of ten wheat cultivars (Yannong 19, Yannong 21, Jimai 22, Lunong 116, Kaimai 18, Zhengmai 366, Wanmai 19, Wankenmai 1, Wanmai 50 and Wanmai 54). Based on a cluster analysis of allelopathic indicators (RI), the inhibition rate in Wanmai 19 was the weakest, and its resistance to weeds was the highest.…”

“…These techniques may include the cultivation of varieties that have allelopathic potential (Jabran, 2017) or varieties with high tolerance to weed species (Cheema & Ahmad, 1992;Cheema et al, 2002). Studies have been conducted to identify varieties with increased allelopathic tolerance to major weeds in crops such as wheat (Shao et al, 2019), corn (Baličević et al, 2014), lupine (Georgieva, 2019), vetch (Georgieva et al, 2018) and others.…”

Ethnopharmacological implications of Argemone ochroleuca – A Critical Review

“…It was found that aqueous extracts from rangeland habitat exhibited high allelopathic potential, inhibiting seed germination at 100% concentration (Basharat A.D. et al, 2017). A. ochroleuca extract had concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on germination and growth variables with shoot extracts exhibiting greater anti allelopathic activity than root extracts (Mlombo N. et al, 2021).…”