Allelopathic prospective of Retama raetam L. against the noxious weed Phalaris minor Retz. growing in Triticum aestivum L. fields

• DOI: 10.1007/s12210-018-0675-x
• Publication Date: 2018-02-14T11:01:02Z
• Authors: Salama M. El-Darier; Eman T. El-Kenany; Amani A. Abdellatif; El-Nagee F. Abdel...
• Keywords: Phalaris minor; Allelopathy; Bioherbicide; Noxious weed

The effect of the aqueous extracts and crude powder of the aerial shoots of Retama raetam (donor species, Fabaceae) on germination and some growth and physiological parameters as well as protein profile and antioxidants of both Triticum aestivum and Phalaris minor (recipient species, Poaceae) was evaluated. The experiments were applied in pure and mixed cultures through germination and growth bioassays. The phytochemical screening of Retama raetam indicated the presence of some water-soluble phytotoxins (allelochemicals) allowing this plant to be an alternative management (bioherbicid) of Phalaris minor in wheat fields. Data revealed that germination percentages (GP) of T. aestivum and P. minor grains significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased with increasing the concentration of the aqueous extract. Notably, GP decrement varied according to the species as well as the treatment, but in all cases 40% concentration level was shown to be the most effective concentration. Seedling length (SL), fresh (FW) and dry (DW) weights of T. aestivum and P. minor grains in pure and mixed cultures experiments 21 days after sowing were also affected by R. raetam crude powder. Furthermore, protein expression of both T. aestivum and P. minor as affected with R. raetam crude powder was noticeable and new proteins have been expressed in the treated plants as compared to control. The use of allelopathic potential of the invasive species under the present study has been suggested as a viable option in sustainability as bioherbicide.