Herbicidal effects of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. (Mesquite) leaf powder on seed germination and seedling growth of the weed species Tribulus terrestris L.

Abstract

Herbicidal effects of Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) (mesquite) leaf extract on seed germination and seedling development of the weed species Tribulus terrestris L. was investigated as a potential tool to control this widespread weed in the agricultural system of Tabuk region and many areas around the world. 5 T. terrerestris spiny seedcontaining fruits were germinated in 998, 995, 990 and 985 g soil mixed with 2 .00, 5.00, 10.0 and 15.00 g mesquite leaf powder respectively with three replicates in addition to control. The experimental units were set outdoors under tree shade. Irrigation in the morning continued for 15 days, then analysis of variance was carried out to test significance of difference in number of germinated seeds, the germination percentage and germination speed were calculated; coefficient of variation in seedling length and seedling fresh weight was maintained between different treatments. Results showed that number of germinated seeds differed significantly between treatments; both germination % and speed decreased with increased quantity of mesquite leaf powder in the soil; seedling length and seedling fresh weight also differed significantly among the treatments. It has been concluded that P. juliflora leaf powder is effective if introduced to the conventional weed control methods to the control of T. terrestris in particular.

Allelopathic effects of native and exotic Prosopis congeners in Petri dishes and potting soils: assessment of the congeneric approach

“…Besides, allelochemicals' production explained the reduction in the abundance of several species associated with P. juliflora (Kumar and Mathur 2014). Several studies showed that litter leachates and aqueous extracts of P. juliflora inhibited or significantly reduced seed germination of many associated natives, cultivated species and weeds (Noor et al 1995;Chellamuthu et al 1997;Al-Humaid and Warrag 1998;Edrisi et al 2020;Elbalola 2020).…”