Allelopathic effects of Ziziphus spina- christi L. (Wild) Leaf extracts on germination and seedling growth of some plant species

Abstract

Plants have several direct or indirect effects on other surrounding organisms in which it may be harmful or beneficial, in this study the potential allopathic effects of Ziziphus spina-christi (Sidr) leaf extracts were investigated alongside wheat (Triticum aestivum L), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), cress (Lepidium sativum L.) and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Seeds for the observation of their germination, in which different concentrations (0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10%) of sidr aqueous and methanolic extracts (70% methanol) were made and used against these seeds in vitro and their effect on germination was determined. This experiment showed a significant inhibitory effect of both extracts on seed germination at all concentrations and it became more effective as the concentration rises, as a result, sidr leaf extracts may demonstrate the use of this species as an herbicide and provide significant agricultural success

Keywords

• sidr;
• barley;
• wheat;
• seed germination;
• water extract,
• methanolic extract