Allelopathic effects of redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) on germination & growth of cucumber, alfalfa, common bean and bread wheat

Abstract

Allelopathy is one of the important interactions among plants. Weeds can reduce crops productions in farms by their allelopathic effects. Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) is the most common weed in Iran with well-known allelopathic potential. In the presented experiment, the allelopathic effects of redroot pigweed on germination and growth of four important crop species including cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), common bean (Phaseulus vulgaris L.) and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied. The effect of different concentrations of redroot pigweed leachate on seed germination and seedlings growth parameters of tested plants was significant, but not same in all studied species. Bread wheat and cucumber were more resistance in seed germination stage in comparison to common bean and alfalfa. Except alfalfa, all plant species showed certain rate of resistance in the most measured parameters. According to the obtained results, bread wheat and common bean were the most resistant species, cucumber was resistant at low concentration but sensitive at high concentration, and alfalfa was the most sensitive species to the redroot pigweed leachate treatments. Therefore, the cultivation of resistant plant species (such as bread wheat and common bean plants) in the regions with redroot pigweed’s invasion is appropriate way in management of the farms.

Keywords

• allelopathy
• amaranthaceae
• weeds
• biological competition
• crops
• tolerance