Screening of active formulation from combined sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and neem (Azadirachta indica) aqueous extract to control growth of lesser canary grass (Phalaris minor).

Abstract

The aim of study was to find an effective way of managing growth of lesser canary grass (Phalaris minor) in wheat fields. Sixteen formulations (F1-F16) were prepared by combining the aqueous extracts of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and neem (Azadirachta indica) in specific ratios (10-40%). Remarkable allelopathic potential was exhibited by improved growth of wheat and inhibition of the weed growth. The regulatory effects were determined on plant root and shoot lengths, free proline and total phenolic contents, and the antioxidant potential of the wheat and weed plants in pot experiment. The findings suggested 'F3' as the most effective formulation prepared by combining one part of aqueous extracts of Helianthus annuus with three parts of Azadirachta indica extract [S (10%) + N (30%)], as its application (10 times dilution) stimulated the shoot length of wheat and inhibited the root length of canary grass plants. So, we propose this combination as an effective allelopathic strategy to control growth of lesser canary grass in wheat fields.

Allelopathic effect of aqueous extracts of common sunflower on seed germination and growth of field pea

“…Allelopathy is an important process that demonstrates inhibitory or stimulatory effect on neighbouring plants and succeeding crop due to the release of allelochemicals into the surrounding environment (Sahoo et al, 2023). The allelopathic properties of plants can be beneficial due to the potential reduction of weeds, but they can also be undesirable and harmful to other successive crop of rotation (Alsaadawi et al, 2012;Batool et al, 2019;Marinov-Serafimov et al, 2019;Okrushko, 2022). The strength of the allelopathic effect depends on the plant, the amount of allelopathic compounds and their concentration (Bogatek et al, 2006;Sarvadamana et al, 2019;Nafees et al, 2021b) and often changes due to various biotic and abiotic factors as well as meteorological conditions, physical, chemical, and biological soil properties, all of which can affect the duration of activity, concentration, and decomposition of substances with the allelopathic effect in the environment (Debaeke et al, 2021).…”