The impact of aqueous and N-hexane extracts of three Fabaceae species on seed germination and seedling growth of some broadleaved weed species

Abstract

Weed infestation is a persistent problem for centuries and continues to be major yield reducing issue in modern agriculture. Chemical weed control through herbicides results in numerous ecological, environmental, and health-related issues. Moreover, numerous herbicides have evolved resistance against available herbicides. Plant extracts are regarded as an alternative to herbicides and a good weed management option. The use of plant extracts is environmentally safe and could solve the problem of herbicide resistance. Therefore, laboratory and wire house experiments were conducted to evaluate the phytotoxic potential of three Fabaceae species, i.e., Cassia occidentalis L. (Coffee senna), Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. (Common sesban) and Melilotus alba Medik. (White sweetclover) against seed germination and seedling growth of some broadleaved weed species. Firstly, N-hexane and aqueous extracts of these species were assessed for their phytotoxic effect against lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). The extracts found more potent were further tested against germination and seedling growth of four broadleaved weed species, i.e., Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Santa-Maria), Trianthema portulacastrum L. (Pigweed), Melilotus indica L (Indian sweetclover). and Rumex dentatus L. (Toothed dock) in Petri dish and pot experiments. Aqueous extracts of all species were more toxic than their N-hexane forms for seed germination and seedling growth of lettuce; therefore, aqueous extracts were assessed for their phytotoxic potential against four broadleaved weed species. Aqueous extracts of all species proved phytotoxic against T. portulacastrum, P. hysterophorus, M. indica and R. dentatus and retarder their germination by 57, 90, 100 and 58%, respectively. Nevertheless, foliar spray of C. occidentalis extract was the most effective against T. portulacastrum as it reduced its dry biomass by 72%, while M. alba was effective against P. hysterophorus, R. dentatus and M. indica and reduced their dry biomass by 55, 68 and 81%, respectively. It is concluded that aqueous extracts of M. alba, S. sesban and C. occidentalis could be used to retard seed germination of T. portulacastrum, P. hysterophorus, M. indica and R. dentatus. Similarly, aqueous extracts of C. occidentalis can be used to suppress dry biomass of T. portulacastrum, and those of M. alba against P. hysterophorus, R. dentatus. However, use of these extracts needs their thorough testing under field conditions.

Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Robinia pseudoacacia Depending on the Origin of Different Geographic Provenances

“…The environmental heterogeneity of the black locust seed origin within the Romanian provenances may finally result in different germination performances. Indeed, variability in the germination responses of seeds from different collection sites is well documented even in other Fabaceae species [58,59]. According to the specialty literature, larger seeds tend to have a higher germination rate, mainly because it is assumed they contain more resources to support such an intense biological process, which needs a great deal of energy [60] and also leads to healthier seedlings [61].…”

Chemical Composition, Repellent, and Phytotoxic Potentials of the Fractionated Resin Essential Oil from Araucaria heterophylla Growing in Tunisia

“…L. sativa is renowned for its high susceptibility to the allelopathic effects of phytotoxic compounds. Therefore, it is extensively employed as a target species in the initial screening of allelopathic plants [88] . The test aimed to determine the inhibitory potential of different samples on germination and seedlings growth (shoot and root lengths) of the target plant.…”

“…Therefore, it is extensively employed as a target species in the initial screening of allelopathic plants. [88] The test aimed to determine the inhibitory potential of different samples on germination and seedlings growth (shoot and root lengths) of the target plant. Lettuce is the universal model for allelopathy studies due to its many important convenient characteristics, such as its rapid germination and high sensitivity to a large range of compounds.…”

The Impact of Aqueous Extracts of Verbesina sphaerocephala and Verbesina fastigiata on Germination and Growth in Solanum lycopersicum and Cucumis sativus Seedlings

“…The problems surrounding environmental pollution and herbicide resistance have forced scientists to develop alternative weed management, germination, and plant growth methods [5][6][7]. Over the last two decades, plant-derived extracts have gained popularity as alternatives to traditional fertilizers to manage weeds and support Horticulturae 2022, 8, 652 2 of 15 phenological development in plants [8]. This is in part because plant extracts result in lower levels of pollution and are more biodegradable than traditional herbicides and synthetic agrochemicals [9].…”