Allelopathic potential of Artemisia herba-alba and Anthemis arvensis to control Weeds in Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potentials for utilization of Artemisia herba-alba and Anthemis arvensis shoot aqueous extract at different concentrations (1%, 3%, and 5%) to suppress the germination and growth of Panicum turgidum and Portulaca oleracea (weeds of crop fields) in Petri dish experiment. Results indicated that the degree of inhibition on seed germination and growth of the recipient species was largely dependent on the concentration of A. herba-alba and A.arvensis shoot aqueous extract. The aqueous extract of A.herba-alba showed the highest allelopathic effect on the germination of the seeds of P. turgidum, (10%,10% and 0%) while the effect of A. arvensis shoot aqueous extract was greater on the germination of the seeds P. oleracea (40%,0% and 0%). Percentage germination of the two selected crop species Triticum aestivum and Hordeum vulgare also de-creased as the A.herba-alba and A.arvensis shoot aqueous extract concentra-tion increased from 1% to 5% (90%,80% and 70%),(40%,40% and 20%). But the inhibition percentage was largely less than that of weed species. The results also showed that H.vulgare was more sensitive than T. aestivum and responds more strongly to the increase of concentration of A. herba-alba shoot aqueous extract . Results also showed that the radicle length of almost all tested species was more sensitive to allelochemicals from A.herba-alba and A.arvensis shoot aqueous extract than plumule length. Therefore, A. herba-alba and A. arvensis shoot aqueous extract may offer promises for their usefulness as a tool for weed management.