In: Phyton 59, Fasc. 1 (2019): S. 99-107 DOI: 10.12905/0380.phyton59-2019-0099 Published online on 17 Dezember 2019

Suppression of germinative ability and seedling growth of Sorghum bicolor, Pennisetum glaucum and Brassica sativa by the allelopathic potential of Zanthoxylum armatum

Noor Amjad

Key words: Zanthoxylum armatum, allelopathy, germination, seedling growth, weed management.

Summary
Amjad N., Barkatullah & Shahid M. O. 2019. Suppression of germinative ability and seedling growth of Sorghum bicolor, Pennisetum glaucum and Brassica sativa by the allelopathic potential of Zanthoxylum armatum. – Phyton (Horn, Austria) 59 (1–2): 99–107, with five tables.*
Zanthoxylum armatum is considered as an important medicinal plant in many parts of the world. Its medicinal value has been known for centuries, yet its allelopathic potential was not known. For that purpose, a study was conducted to evaluate the allelopathic influence of Z. armatum on three plant species (Brassica sativa, Pennisetum glaucum, Sorghum bicolor). Three experiments were carried out, using different parts of Z. armatum in three different forms (aqueous extracts, litter, mulching). Results depicted that different parts of Z. armatum in all these forms had a significant effect on germination and seedling growth of all the tested species. Aqueous extracts of Z. armatum fruit (10 g/100 ml) soaked for 48 h was the most toxic treatment combination for all the recorded parameters of the studied species. The effect of litter was more negative than that of mulch. Similarly, the effects of fruit and mixed tissues litter and mulch were more toxic than those of other plant tissues. Among the tested species, P. glaucum was highly inhibited by the aqueous extracts, litter, and mulches of Z. armatum, followed by B. sativa and S. bicolor. It was concluded that all the plant tissues of Z. armatum highly inhibited the growth and germination of the tested species. The effects suggest the presence of some allelochemicals in Z. armatum that inhibited the germination and growth of these species. To our knowledge, this is the first study considering the allelopathic potential of Z. armatum.