INHIBITORY EFFECTS OF WILD BARLEY (HORDEUM SPONTANEUM Koch.) RESIDUES ON GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) AND ITS OWN PLANT

Abstract

Laboratory studies were conducted to examine the effects of different concentrations of wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum Koch.) shoot and seed extracts on germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and wild barley. In this study, all wild barley shoot extract concentrations (with exception of lowest concentration) significantly reduced wheat seed germination after 7 days. Shoot extract concentrations of 60 and 120 g / L significantly reduced shoot and root lengths, shoot fresh and dry weights, and, root fresh and dry weights of wheat. Seed germination of wheat was not affected by intermediate wild barley seed extracts. Considerably, some extracts of wild barley seeds stimulated the germination and growth of wheat. Wild barley shoot and seed extracts at low level stimulated the growth of its own plant, however, its germination and seedling growth were inhibited at higher shoot extract concentrations. The results of this investigation show that wild barley shoot extracts exert more allelopathic effects on germination and growth of wheat and its own plant than those of seed extracts.