Allelopathic Effect of Leaf Water Extract of Hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana L.) at Rosette Stage on Seed Germination

Subject Areas : Journal of Crop Ecophysiology

H.  Madani ¹ (Associated Prof., Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University،Arak, Iran)
M.K.  Upadhayaya ² (Prof. Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada)
G.  Stopps ³ (Graduate Student, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada)

Received: 2012-01-10 Accepted : 2012-05-09 Published : 2012-06-21

Keywords: Seed germination, weed, Allelopathy, Hoary alyssum, Pasture grasses,

Abstract :

The allelopathic effects of leaves at rosette stage of the hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana L.) against some associated grasses like, prairie June grass (Koeleria macrantha), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), blue-bunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) and cheat grass (Bromus tectorum) and its own were investigated. The experiment al materials used were the leaf extracts and its allelopathic effects on seed germination and seedling emergence of the abave mentioned grasses in Petri dishes. According to our study, leaves of hoary alyssum rosettes at stage have the potential to reduce germination rate, root and shoot growth of pasture grasses and hoary alyssum itself due to its allelopathic effect. The leaf leachate solution bioassays also showed that the germination of cheat grass was more susceptible to 4% solution of allelopathic extract of leaves. Hoary alyssum leaf extract also exhibited allelopathic self-inhibition, in both seedling root and shoot growth at 2 and 4% concentrations. Self- inhibitory allelopathic effects of hoary alyssum could also be important in preventing seed germination and seedling establishment of neighboring plant.