Author(s): R. ELGHOBASHY, S. EL-DARIER, A. ELNOUBY AND M. MIGAHID

Abstract: Several studies reported that some natural medicinal plants have allelochemical potentials which show an important role in the weed control. Therefore, this study focused on the role of two natural medicinal species (Artemisia monosperma Del. And Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn) in Chenopodium album L. management; a major wheat pest (Triticum aestivum L.) Crop in both, mono and mixed cultures. The experiment was performed under greenhouse conditions, growth parameters and chemical analyses were determined for both Chenopodium album and wheat. Data showed a remarkable reduction in the organs length and leaf area with considerably stronger effects on Chenopodium album. Water content was significantly reduced in case of Chenopodium album, while it was increased in Triticum aestivum in mono culture and was not affected in mixed culture as compared to control. Specific root length was increased in wheat and decreased in weed in response to the allelopathic effect of both medicinal species. This result indicated that the root area of crop increased on the expense of the weed root. Photosynthetic pigments in Chenopodium album were remarkably affected more than in the wheat. Free proline accumulated in Chenopodium album at most treatments while it was slightly decreased in wheat in response to Artemisia monosperma but increased in Silybum marianum treatments as compared to control. This investigation concluded that the two medicinal plants have allelopathic compounds with strong potential on weed growth but very slightly on crop. Specifically, Artemisia monosperma has allelopathic potential more than Silybum marianum and offers promises for their usefulness as a tool of weed management.

DOI: 10.22271/09746315.2023.v19.i1.1673

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