PJB-2023-550
Allelopathic evaluation of Acacia species against seed germination and seedling growth of four economically important crops
Zahid Mehmood, Madiha Rashid, Hsi-Hsien Yang, Muhammad Umer Farooq Awan, Usman Ahmed, Ali Hasnain, Anum Saeed, Binyameen, Cheng-Hsu Wu and Matiba Tufail
Abstract
Some plants use allelopathy to compete against neighboring plants, allowing them to conserve resources in the absence of competitors. Several Acacia species have shown allelopathic effects that could potentially affect crop production. This study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic potential of 3 Acacia species (Acacia nilotica, Acacia catechu, and Acacia modesta) leaf extracts on seed germination and seedling growth of 4 economic crops (wheat, millet, spinach, and sorghum). The leaf extract of A. modesta inhibited the seed germination of millet and wheat, while A. catechu showed inhibition in seed germination of millet at 3 concentrations (1%, 3%, and 5%). A. nilotica showed stimulatory as well as inhibitory effects on the seed germination of all test crops. On the other hand, the leaf extract of A. catechu showed comparatively higher inhibitory effects against the seedling growth of all test species. A. modesta showed inhibition on the seedling growth of hypocotyl (8%, 51%, and 59%) and radicle (14%, 74%, and 94%) of spinach at all concentrations while showing various stimulatory and inhibitory effects on hypocotyl and radicle of all crop species. All three concentrations of A. nilotica extract showed stimulation on the seedling growth for hypocotyl of sorghum and millet while reduction for hypocotyl of wheat and inhibition for radical of sorghum, millet, and wheat have been observed. The results indicate that A. catechu has more inhibitory effects on seed germination and seedling growth, so it should be kept away from crops due to its adverse effects
To Cite this article:
Mehmood, Z., M. Rashid, H.H. Yang, M.U.F. Awan, U. Ahmed, A. Hasnain, A. Saeed, B. Yameen, C.H. Wu and M. Tufail. 2025. Allelopathic evaluation of Acacia species against seed germination and seedling growth of four economically important crops. Pak. J. Bot., 57(3): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2025-3(20)
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