Pure Appl. Biol.

, 12(1):623-636, March, 2023

http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2023.120064

Research Article

Allelopathic assessment ofTrianthema

portulacastrum L.against germination and
early growth of weeds in wheat
Muhammad Shahid Hassan1*, Nargis Naz1, Muhammad Akram1, Mumtaz
Hussain2 and Hassan Raza Javeed1
1. Department of Botany, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
2. Department of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur,
Punjab, Pakistan
*Corresponding author’s email:mshassan2015@gmail.com
Citation
Muhammad Shahid Hassan, Nargis Naz, Muhammad Akram, Mumtaz Hussain and Hassan Raza Javeed. Allelopathic
assessment of Trianthema portulacastrum L. against germination and early growth of weeds in wheat. Pure and
Applied Biology. Vol. 12, Issue 1, pp623-636. http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2023.120064
Received: 01/10/2022 Revised: 16/12/2022 Accepted: 20/12/2022 Online First: 30/12/2022
Abstract
Weeds are one of the key threats to the natural and agricultural fields. Weeds pose severe losses
in agricultural yield by procuring nutrients and releasing secondary metabolites. Therefore, weed
management is crucial for securing quantity and quality of yield. Various strategies that are most
commonly employed to weed control are mechanical, physical, chemical, and cultural. However,
the best method to eradicate weeds is a biological approach. The herbicidal potential of plants that
can produce allelochemicals is considered a major source of biological control.In crops, weed
control through allelopathy is a beneficial and environment-friendly alternativeto traditional
herbicides.The object of this study is to explore the allelopathic impact of Trianthema
portulacastrum against the growth of weeds (Asphodelus tenuifolius and Convolvulusarvensis and
wheat(Triticum aestivum). The experimentwas performed in the petri-plates to explore the effect
of various concentrations (30%, 60%, and 100%) of root and shoot of T. portulacastrum and
herbicide (Metafin Super 28.6% WDG) along with control (distilled water)on the seed germination
and growth of the weeds and wheat. To meet up the objectives, various parameters (such as seed
germination, root length, shoot length, and seedling dry weight)of tested species were estimated.
Our results revealed that water extracts of T. portulacastrum significantly reducedthe growth
parameterspossibility due to interference with various growth metabolic processes. We conclude
thatwater extract of root and shootof T. portulacastrumcould be safer and more beneficial to
minimize the weeds competition in the wheat field.
Keywords: Allelopathic extract; Dry weight; Petri-plates; Root length; Trianthema
portulacastrum; Weeds; Wheat
Introduction stresses, and exploration of these limiting
Several factors cause low wheat yield in factors will surely result in utmost crop yield
Pakistan, among these major intimidations to [1]. In natural and agrarian fields, weeds are
crop productivity, is an imbalance in crop one of the key intimidations. Almost 30,000
nutrition, weeds, diseases, pests, and abiotic weed species have been recognized in the

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 Hassan et al.

world. Of which 18,000 species can cause dentatus, C. arvensis and Cirsium
significant loss to crop yield but 50 to 200 can arvense[6].In Pakistan, the researchers and
cause extensive damage to the major food agricultural experts assessed the losses in
crops. However, approximately 250 weed crop yield due to weeds infestation as 17-
species all over the world are more rampant 25% in wheat, 20-63% in rice, 25-55% in
in crops [2, 3]. So weeds are the main pulses, 20-45% in maize, 13-41% in cotton
bottleneck in crop growing systems that not and 10-35 % in sugarcane. Globally, weeds
only compete for space but also capture the cause just about 10% losses to annual
necessary nutritional resources needed for agrarian yields and the expected annual loss
crop growth and ultimately lead to a is over $18.2 billion [7] and in Pakistan, the
significant decrease in yield (32-37%) in estimated loss is about 120 billion [4].
wheat and soil health [4]. Therefore, weed management is crucial for
In agriculture, weeds are the earliest issue and securing quantity and quality of yield, and
have been a seriously fundamental and thus, maximum net profits. Various strategies
severely limiting factor in commercial crop that are most commonly employed to weed
production since 10,000 BC. Weeds pose control are mechanical, physical, chemical,
severe losses in agriculture, forestry, water and cultural. However, the best method to
supply, and human creativity. The idea of eradicate weeds is a biological approach
undesirable plants as weeds originated when [8].Currently, many herbicides are being
man started developing plants purposefully used to limit the growth of weeds in main
for nutrition[2].Widespread weed infestation crops. Consequently, the rampant use of
might cause a whole-scale yield drop. The synthetic herbicides, unluckily, leads to
expenses of weed eradication enhance the severe health and environmental concerned
cost of crop yield. Thus, farmers lose some issues [9].In an environment, a pesticide can
fraction of their outlay and the country merely pollute the air, water, and soil; and
experiences a dwindle in agricultural items. flora and fauna may be underthreat[10].The
Weeds devastate crops in two ways. One way rate of brain and blood carcinoma has
is to discharge the allelochemicals in the soil increased in infants, and pregnant women
and the second way is that weeds compete for who are exposed to these pesticides have high
growth factors such as light, space, water, miscarriage rates. Pesticides cause congenital
and other nutrients [5]. Weeds are resilient heart malfunction and may also cause severe
and dynamic in growing nature; they grow nervous and pulmonary diseases and are a
more rapidly than crop plants and utilize serious threat to the environment due to their
large quantities of nutrients along with water low biodegradable rate [11].
which ultimately causes yield losses. There is now a need for extra work on plant
Normally, weeds take up and transpire more compounds as an alternative to herbicides for
water than any crop plant. The formation of weed management. These chemicals can be
organic matter in plants depends upon the used directly for the management of weeds or
availability of solar light. The potential of their chemistry can be accustomed to develop
output is diminished when weeds and crop new herbicides [12].In this respect, the use of
plants are reciprocally shaded even though allelopathic plants will eliminate the
plentiful nutrient availability. Wheat fields dependence on artificial herbicides to
are normallyinfected by both monocot and increase plant productivity. The
dicot weeds. The main dicot weeds are extremeexploitation of synthetic herbicides
Chenopodium album, Chenopodium murale, has led to the development of weed resistance
Cronopus didymus, Melilotus indica, Rumex to herbicides. The above picture guidedthe

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exploration of safe alternatives to synthetic inhibitory effect, which could be a

herbicides for weed management. To meet sustainable approach toward integrated weed
the challenges of ecological contamination, management [17] and are effectively used as
allelopathy can be used as the utmost an herbicide. Research on the allelopathic
effective and safe method to get rid of weeds effects of different plants on other crop
[13]. plants, crop plants on weeds, and different
Consequently, plant products are receiving weeds on crop plants have already been
the interest of researchers due to their safer conducted but studies on the effect of weeds
and eco-friendly nature. Over the last few on other weeds of different crops are scarcely
decades the trend to comprehend the myth of available. Therefore, the researcher
allelopathy has been getting more curiosity hypothesized that Trianthema allelopathic
among workers. Modern technological extract will have an allelopathic effect and
methods have helped in recognizing hidden can be used to control A. tenuifoliusand C.
bio-molecules, synthesis of molecules, arvensis in the wheat field. Allelopathy
releases in the soil, mode of action, and determination in weeds and the study of their
interaction with the environment. The effect on germination and initial growth of
herbicidal potential of plants that can produce the weeds and crop plants is very essential for
allelochemicals is considered a major source optimum crop yield and so the present study
of biological control. Allelopathy is a natural was carried out to appraise the allelopathic
and environment-friendly approach. It can be effect of various levels of parts of T.
regarded as an effective surrogate for portulacastrum extracts on seed germination
synthetic herbicides for weed control to and early growth of the weeds (A. tenuifolius
increase crop yield and decrease dependency and C. arvensis) along with the wheat (T.
on pesticides. The quest for natural weed aestivum).
control methods is accentuated. Now a day, Materials and Methods
Allelopathy has been appreciated as a natural Formation of aqueous extract:
weed control approach. Moreover, natural Fresh samples of Trianthema portulacastrum
allelochemicals pose a negligible threat to the were collected from the field of cotton during
environment as compared to synthetic the summer seasonin 2017. Whole plants
chemical compounds, so that is the purpose were washed thoroughly with distilled water
behind developing natural chemicals which to get rid of the dust on the leaves and soil
may replace conventional pesticides [14]. from the roots. Roots and shoots from a
Different plants retain allelochemicals that collected plant of Trianthema
could be employed for weed suppression portulacastrum were estranged and dried out
[15]. under shade (Table 1). After that the dried
Trianthema portulacastrum (horse purslane) samples of roots and shoots were individually
is an annual summer herbaceous weed which ground with the help of a grinder into a fine
is not more than 4-6 feet in length, and powder and were kept in a clean and sealed
frequently exists in tropical and subtropical glass container till their use for study. The
zones and almost across the globe as a weed water extract was ready by soaking 10 grams
in cultivated and wastelands [16]. T. of powder of each part of T. portulacastrum
portulacastrum extract contains active independently in 100 mL distilled water
compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, (10% w/v) for 24 hours. After filtration,
saponins, terpenoids, tannins, phenolics, thesolutions of each part were kept in the
reducing sugar, and protein. Recent research refrigerator as stock solutions for a short
has evidenced their phytotoxicity and growth period till the start of the experiment. These

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stock solutions were utilized to accomplish

final concentrations of 30%, 60%, and 100%
of each part [18].

Table 1. Treatment levels applied to weeds and wheat

T0 Control treatment (Distilled water)
TR1 30% Allelopathic aqueous treatment of Root
TR2 60% Allelopathic aqueous treatment of Root
TR3 100% Allelopathic aqueous treatment of Root
TS1 30% Allelopathic aqueous treatment of Shoot
TS2 60% Allelopathic aqueous treatment of Shoot
TS3 100% Allelopathic aqueous treatment of Shoot
T4 Herbicide treatment

Collectionof seeds of weeds and wheat as well herbicide solution in each petri dish
The seeds of C. arvensisand A. tenuifolius differently. The petri dishes were covered
were collected at the maturity stage in April with glass covers. The whole set of
2017 from the wheat fields of Layyah experiments was kept undisturbed at a room
(30.9693o N and 70.9428o E) and seeds of T. temperature of 15-25oC with proper
aestivum (Sahar-2006) were purchased from fluorescent lights for15 days. Moisture in
the agricultural department of Punjab. Seeds petri dishes was maintained by adding 10 ml.
of weed and wheat were stored at room of respective aqueous extracts of varying
temperature in paper envelopes. concentrations of root and shoot of T.
Petri-plates experiment portulacastrum and two control treatments
To assess the seed germination percentage, a were maintained in the experiment such as
petri-plates experiment was conducted by positive control (distilled water) and negative
placing 10 seeds of each species of A. control with widely used synthetic herbicide
tenuifoliusand C. arvensis and also T. (Metafin Super).
aestivum on filter paper Whatman No. 43 in Data on germination percentage was
9 cm diameter petri-plates after soaking of recorded just after the germination of seeds
seeds of selected weeds of three species and of weeds and wheat. For this purpose,a
main crop for 24 hours at room temperature. fifteen-day, petri plate experiment will be
To avoid contamination, seeds were performed in the laboratory. Seedlings' data
sterilized with 1.5% (v/v) sodium were measured on the 15th day after
hypochlorite solution for 1 minute and then sowing.The following parameters were
washed with distilled water. Moreover, petri- calculatedgermination percentage,root length
plates were covered and sealed to avoid (cm), shoot length (cm),anddry weight of
cross-contamination. seedlings (mg/seedling).
In each petri-plates, containing a Whatman Statistical analysis
filter paper at the bottom, soaked seeds were The trials in the petri-plates experiment were
put on top of the filter paper, after adding 10 laid out in a completely randomized design
ml of various concentrations of aqueous (CRD) with three replicates. All collected
extracts of root and shoot and distilled water data from the petri-plates experiment were

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subjected to the analysis of variance Maximum inhibition was perceived at 100%

(ANOVA) and LSD test was performed aqueous root extract. Likewise, all shoot
[19]by using the software “Statistix version extract levels also caused more or lessa
8.1”. reduction in root length with increasing
Results aqueous shoot extract levels of T.
The results of the germination percentage of portulacastrum. Herbicide treatment also
A. tenuifolius, C. arvensis,and T. aestivum caused a decline in this parameter in all
seeds presented in (Fig. 1-5 & Table 2) species except in C. arvensiswhere root
indicated that root extract of T. length was slightly increased.
portulacastrum caused significant inhibition Shoot length showed a significant reduction
of the seed germination with increasing under increasing aqueous extracts
allelopathic level as compared to the control concentration of T. portulacastrum. Butno
treatment (distilled water). Diluted aqueous change in this parameter was observed at
extracts of root showed a slight decline in 30% root aqueous extract in A. tenuifolius
germination percentage except for 30% in A. and C. arvensis. Maximum inhibition of
tenuifolius.But all levels of root extract shoot length was perceived at 100% aqueous
caused the same effects on wheat seeds. root extract. Correspondingly, among various
Similarly, all levels of shoot aqueous extracts shoot extract levels, there was a gradual
of T. portulacastrum more or less reduction trend in shoot length with
significantly suppressed the germination increasing aqueous shoot extract levels. But
percentage of seeds of all selected species. at herbicide treatment shoot length
The statistically lowest germination statistically showed a slight increase in this
percentage was recorded at 100% shoot parameter in all species (Fig. 1-5 & Table 2).
extract. Meanwhile, the germination The data on the dry weight (mg) of seedlings
percentage at synthetic herbicide treatment at root extract in (Fig. 2&4; Table 2)depicted
was also low. that there was a gradual reduction trend in
The data on root lengthpresented in (Fig. 1-5 the dry weight of seedlings. The maximum
& Table 2) indicated that there was a gradual, seedling dry weight was observed at diluted
and constant reduction in seedling root length levels of shoot and root extracts while the
with an application of root and shoot extracts minimum value at 100% of both extracts
of T. portulacastrum as compared to the was detected in all species. But in T.
control treatment (distilled water).Root aestivum no variation was detected at 30%
length showed a significant reduction under root extract. Herbicide treatment results
increasing root aqueous extract levels in all were analogous to concentrated shoot
species. But root length was slightly extract (Fig. 2-5 & Table 2).
increased with30% aqueous root extract.

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Figure 1. Trianthema portulacastrum L. (A weed that is used in the experiment as an

allelopathic plant)

Figure 2. Effect of various treatments of root and shoot water extracts of T. portulacastrum
and herbicide (T0= Distilled water, TR1= 30% root extract, TR2= 60%root extract,
TR3=100% root extract, TS1= 30% shoot extract, TS2= 60% shoot extract, TS3= 100%
shoot extract and T4= Herbicide) on seed germination and seedlinggrowth of weeds and
wheatin petri-plate

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LSD =3.35 LSD = 0.438

100 a a 3
b a
c c
Germination

Root length (cm)

a
percentage
d b b bc
2
50 e e c e
de
1
0 0
T0 TR1 TR2 TR3 TS1 TS2 TS3 T4 T0 TR1 TR2 TR3 TS1 TS2 TS3 T4

LSD = 0.424

Seedling dry weight

LSD = 0.624
Shoot length (cm)

3 a 4 a
ab ab bc ab bc b

(mg)
2 c cd
de d d d
d 2
1 e

0 0
T0 TR1 TR2 TR3 TS1 TS2 TS3 T4 T0 TR1 TR2 TR3 TS1 TS2 TS3 T4

Figure 3. Effect of various treatments of root and shoot water extracts of Trianthema
portulacastrum and herbicide (T0 = Distilled water, TR1= 30% root extract, TR2= 60% root
extract, TR3= 100% root extract, TS1= 30% shoot extract, TS2= 60% shoot extract, TS3=
100% shoot extract, and T4= Herbicide) on seed germination and seedling growth of
Asphodelus tenuifolius in petri-plates

LSD 5% =3.89 LSD 5% = 0.43

100 0.8 a ab
Root length (cm)

a
b
Germination

bc
percentage

c 0.6 cd
d ef de
50 e e 0.4 de
f f
0.2 f
0 0
T0 TR1 TR2 TR3 TS1 TS2 TS3 T4 T0 TR1 TR2 TR3 TS1 TS2 TS3 T4

LSD 5% = 0.441 LSD 5% =0.372

Seedling dry weight

4 3 a
Shoot length (cm)

a a a a
3 b bc b
cd
(mg)

2
d d d
2
c c 1
1
d d
0 0
T0 TR1 TR2 TR3 TS1 TS2 TS3 T4 T0 TR1 TR2 TR3 TS1 TS2 TS3 T4

Figure 4. Effect of various treatments of root and shoot water extracts of Trianthema
portulacastrum and herbicide (T0 = Distilled water, TR1= 30% root extract, TR2= 60% root
extract, TR3= 100% root extract, TS1= 30% shoot extract, TS2= 60% shoot extract, TS3=
100% shoot extract and T4= Herbicide) on seed germination and seedling growth of
Convolvulus arvensis in petri-plates

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 Hassan et al.

LSD 5% = 0.89 LSD 5% =1.09

Root length (cm)

150 4
a ab ab
a b
Germination

3
percentage

100 c
b b b
c 2 d d
d
50 e e e
1
0 0
T0 TR1 TR2 TR3 TS1 TS2 TS3 T4 T0 TR1 TR2 TR3 TS1 TS2 TS3 T4

LSD 5% = 0.48
Shoot length (cm)

LSD 5% =3.35

Seedling dry weigth

4 a a 20
b b a a
3 c 15

(mg)
d d b
2 10 b c b
e d d
1 5
0 0
T0 TR1 TR2 TR3 TS1 TS2 TS3 T4 T0 TR1 TR2 TR3 TS1 TS2 TS3 T4

Figure 5. Effect of various treatments of root and shoot water extracts of Trianthema
portulacastrum and herbicide (T0 = Distilled water, TR1= 30% root extract, TR2= 60% root
extract, TR3= 100% root extract, TS1= 30% shoot extract, TS2= 60% shoot extract, TS3=
100% shoot extract and T4= Herbicide) on seed germination and seedling growth of Triticum
aestivum in petri-plates

Table 2. Analysis of variance for the influence of root and shoot extracts of T. portulacastrum
on germination percentage, root length, shoot length, and seedling dry weight of A.
tenuifolius, C. arvensis, and T. aestivum
Asphodelus
Mean sum of squares of Parameters
tenuifolius
SOV DF GRP RL SL SDW
Treatments 7 1178.57 1.00 1.22 1.00
Errors 16 3.75 0.064 0.06 0.13
Sum of
8250.0 7.02 8.52 7.02
squares
CV 2.87 18.75 16.33 17.70
GM 67.50 1.35 1.50 2.04
F value 314** 15.7** 20.3** 7.71**
Convolvulus arvensis
GRP RL SL SDW
SOV DF
Treatments 7 1435.04 0.128 5.20 0.778
Errors 16 5.04 0.007 0.065 0.046
Sum of
10045.3 0.897 36.41 5.44
squares
CV 4.73 20.90 14.95 12.47

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GM 47.46 0.395 1.71 1.72

F value 285** 18.8** 79.8** 16.8**
Triticum aestivum
GRP RL SL SDW
SOV DF
Treatments 7 1628.5 1.66 2.42 40.11
Errors 16 3.75 0.068 0.076 0.264
Sum of
11400 11.64 18.0 289.74
squares
CV 3.23 12.15 11.05 5.46
GM 60.0 2.14 2.50 9.40
F value 434** 24.6** 31.7** 152**
SOV = Source of variations; DF = Degree of freedom; CV = Coefficient variation; GM = Grand mean; GRP =
Germination percentage; RL = Root length (cm); SL = Shoot length (cm); SDW = Seedling dry weight (g); * =
Significant at p ≤ 0.05; ** = Significant at p ≤ 0.01 and NS = Non-significant

Discussion establishment of other plants [23].The

Many biochemical metabolisms occur during allelopathic potential of Eucalyptus
germination which offers the indispensable camaldulensis leaves for inhibiting the
framework for successive growth and growth of C. arvensis was studied by Mengal
development of the plant because seed et al. [24]. Diluted residues slightly inhibited
germination is regarded as the most vital germination in sesame while highly
phase specifically in environmental stresses. concentrated residue caused a severe
The influence of inhibition in germination reduction in the potential of seed germination
may be endorsed by the impacts of soluble [25].
chemicals in the water. Whereas, the The more inhibitory effect on germination
difference in inhibition of seeds germination was found in the highest concentration [26].
could be accredited to various amounts of Similar results were perceived in this study,
allelochemicals. In the present study all plants exhibited maximum seed
increasing levels of root and shoot extracts germination retardation except the wheat at
reduced germination percentage, shoot high concentrations due to a higher amount
length, root length, and seedling dry weight of allelochemicals. The germination
more or less of A. tenuifolius and C. arvensis percentage of sesame seeds decreased along
as well as T. aestivum. Many researchers with an increasing concentration of extract of
reported germination inhibition and retarded T. portulacastrum [27]. Likewise, the
seedling growth of wheat. Das et al. [20] residues of T. portulacastrum considerably
reported the inhibitory effects of aqueous leaf diminished the sesame seed germination
extract of weed species on seed germination, [25]. Melilotus indica showed a strong
and root and shoot growth of T. aestivum and allelopathic effect on crop plants'
other crop weed plants. Ullah et al. [21] germination and growth of seedlings due to
studied impaired seed germination and the presence of various secondary metabolic
retarded early growth of wheat with the compounds [28].Many other allelochemicals
treatment of leaf aqueous extract of Fumaria such as ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, vanillic
indica. Arafatet al. [22] illustrated that acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid,
extracts of Chenopodium reduced seed gallic acid, caffeic acid, and p-coumaric acid
germination in weeds and crop plants. have been reported to cause reticence of
Euphorbia allelopathic extract proved toxic germination and as well as early growth [29].
to the final germination and seedling The inhibitory phytotoxic effect of leaf, stem,

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fruit, and root extracts of T. portulacastrum germination with leaf leachate as compared
may be owing to the failure of water to seed and stem leachate [34].
absorption and hindrance of germination of Both extracts of T. portulacastrum in the
seeds [30]. It was also accredited to hinder present study in the petri-plate experiment
cell division, decrease mineral absorption, reduced the length of root and shoot more or
hamper respiration and inhibit protein less in A. tenuifolius,C. arvensis,and T.
synthesis [31]. aestivum but it was concentration-dependent.
Phytotoxic chemicals in water extracts of The results of the present study are in accord
allelopathic plants were most likely with those of Shahrokhiet al. [35],who stated
procuredquickly by the seeds during the suppression of root length of wheat
imbibition. When sensitive plants seedlings with an application of leaf aqueous
contactwith allelopathic chemicals, the extract of Amaranthus retroflexus. Shafique
germination of seed has depressed et al. [36] reported that C. murale aqueous
strikingly[32].The preliminarychanges that extract suppresses the root length of the
happeninstantly after the imbibition is due to tested plant. T. portulacastrum L. and S.
a boost in the hydrolytic enzymes, such as α- portulacastrum L. extracts significantly
amylase and protease. α-amylase is an suppressed the root length and shoot length in
imperative starch digestive enzyme in the tested species [30]. Root and shoot extracts of
seed. The blockage of seed germination is Trianthema also caused a reduction in the
due to an interruption in the actions of root and shoot length of fenugreek seeds [37].
peroxidase, α -amylase, and acid phosphates. The root elongation of the jute plant was
Al-Sherif and Gharieb [33] reported the considerably decreased in almost all
presence of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic concentrations of extract of T.
acid, ferulic acid, o-coumaric acid, caffeic portulacastrum [38]. A reduction in root
acid, pyrogallic acid, protocatechuic acid, length was also reported by Balicevic et
trans-cinnamic acid in the leaves and stem of al.[39], by applying residues of C. iria to
T. portulacastrum. Ithas seemed that these various varieties of rice. Aqueous leaf extract
biochemicals together with some other of weed species demonstrating inhibitory
unidentified metabolites in T. portulacastrum effects on root length of T. aestivum, H.
were conscientiousof their allelopathic vulgare, M. sativa, T. spp., R. sativus, and T.
activities. In this study, T. portulacastrum foenum-graecum[28]. Similarly, leaf water
water extract treatmentproved to be extracts of Medicago polymorha and T.
mainlyefficient with the highest suppression portulacastrum suppress the mitotic activity
of seed germination. The toxicity of various of newly formed cells and retard the root
parts extracts of T. portulacastrum may be length of T. aestivum[40].Arafat et al.
due to the restriction of water uptake and, [22]reported that extracts of Chenopodium
hence, inhibition reduced the length of roots and shoots in
of seed germination in tested species [30]. weeds and crop plants. This reduction is
Many metabolic products such as phenols endorsed to arrest cell divisions and may be
and flavonoids in Trianthema areliable for accredited to block protein synthesis,
germination retardation. Soluble phenolic disturbance in enzyme metabolisms, and
biochemicals are largely present in the leaf of restraint of water uptake resulting in a
Trianthema, which may be accountable for decrease in cell division. But an increase in
disturbances in seed enzyme actions. This root length was observed in our study with
eventually leads to more reduction in seed herbicide treatment. This result was
consistent with Khan et al. [41], who

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described the increase in root length of didymus. In our results, there was a gradual
Coronopus didymus against herbicidal reduction in the dry weight of seedlings of
treatments. tested plantswith a steady increase in root and
Plants of different species respond differently shoot extract levels. The decrease in dry
to phytotoxins. The sensitivity of various weight with increasing concentration of
plants depends upon the physiological and extracts was also described by Jafariehyazdi
biochemical characteristics of each plant. and Javidfar [47], they concluded that the
Shoot extract proved more allelopathic effect decline in dry weight could be linked to a
than root extract in the present work. The decrease in the length of shoot and root due
results of this research are supported by to allelopathic biochemicals in aqueous
Khandhro et al. [32], who reported that the extracts of T. portulacastrum. A reduction in
leaf extract of sunflower had a more dry weight may be linked with a decline in
allelopathic effect than the root extracts on enzyme activity as an outcome of a reduction
seed germination of Digera arvensis. Shoot in the biosynthesis of materials in seedlings.
with leaves extract possessed more inhibitory Conclusion
effects than the root extract due to the We conclude that extracts of T.
abundance of allelopathic chemicals. Water- portulacastrum might have the potential to
soluble allelochemicals in the leaf extract control the weeds (A. tenuifolius and C.
could have imposed more inhibitory effects arvensis) of a wheat field. A significant
as compared to the seed extract [42]. dwindle in germination percentage, root
In the present study lower level of root extract length, shoot length, and dry weight of
caused a slight increase in root length in C. seedlings of tested species might be the
arvensis. These outcomes are reinforced by interference of allelopathic extracts which
Sutradhar et al. [38], who accounted that the may cause the reduction of seed germination
maximum root length was noticed in the and early growth. Therefore, water extracts
lowest level and complete retardation in root of T. portulacastrum have allelopathic
length occurred in the highest level of extract potential against weeds and may be used as
solution. More or less reduction in dry weight bioherbicide to minimize the weed's
of all tested species (A. tenuifolius, C. competition in the wheat field.
arvensis,and T. aestivum)seedlings was Authors’ contributions
observed in our results. These results are Conceived and designed the experiments:
analogous to Khan et al. [43], who stated that MS Hassan & N Naz, Performed the
allelochemicals in leaf aqueous extracts of experiments: MS Hassan, Analyzed the data:
sunflower and sorghum considerably reduced MS Hassan & N Naz, Contributedmaterials/
the dry weight of weeds. These results are analysis tools: M Akrum, M Hussain & HR
also reinforced by Naeem et al. [44], who Javeed, Wrote the paper: MS Hassan.
described the decline of dry weight in weeds Acknowledgments
with sorghum and sunflower extracts by This work is part of the Ph.D. thesis of Mr.
foliar spray. Dry weight reduction was Muhammad Shahid Hassan, Reg. No:
reinforced by the results of Elisante et al. 68/IU.Ph.D./2016. The authors wish to thank
[45], who described that the aqueous leaf Dr. Ahmad Nawaz, Zia ul Hasnain,
extract of Datura stramonium caused a Muhammad Shahid Razzaq&Rifhan ul
significant inhibitory effect on the dry weight Hassan for providing critical evaluation of
of Cenchrus ciliaris. Dry weight reduction this manuscript, and also thank the laboratory
was also reported by Naeem et al. [46], by staff of the Agricultural University of
applying weeds extracts on C. album and C.

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 Hassan et al.

Faisalabad and Islamia University of poisoning and pesticide users’

Bahawalpur. cholinesterase levels in cotton production
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