Phytochemical Analysis And Allelopathic Effect of Major Weeds on Germination and Growth of Wheat (Pbw-226)

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a cereal grain, cultivated worldwide and was the second most produced cereal after ma.ize. It is the leading source of vegetable protein in human food, having a higher protein content than other major cereals. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effects of different concentration ( 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%,10%) of the aqueous extract of Argemone mexicana, Chenopodium album, Cynodon dactylon, Avena fatua and Parthenium hysterophorus on the seed germination, plumule length, radicle length, shoot length and root length in variety (PBW-226) of wheat (Triticum aestivum).The allelopathic potentialities of leaf extracts of A.mexicana, P. hysterophorus, Afatua and C.album decreased the seed germination, plumule length, radical length, shoot and root length of wheat with increase of extracts concentration but there was no decrease in growth of wheat by using increasing concentration of C. dactyl on as compared to control. The preliminary qualitative phytochemical analysis of various extract (aqueous, methanol and chloroform) of weeds wete analysed by various biochemical tests which results in presence of phytochemicals such as tannins, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpenes, phenolics, terpenoids, and steroids. These phytochemicals are of great importance in traditional medicine as well as in pharmaceuticals industry in the production of various drugs formulations for treating various life- threatening di.seases.