Allelopathic Actions of Laurus nobilis on Seed Germination and Growth of Some Crop and Weed Species

Abstract

Allelopathy is a biochemical process that plants excrete several types of substances which have allelopathic effects on seed germination and seedling growth of other plants. This experiment was conducted to examine allelopathic effects of bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) aqueous shoot extract on seed germination and seedling growth of rapeseed (Brassica napus), wheat (Triticum aestivum), mung bean (Vigna radiata) and corn (Zea mays). The study was performed in sanitized petri dishes for seven days at 22C0. The experimental design was arranged for completely randomized design (CRD). In terms of concentrations, (0%, 2.5, 5%, 7.5% and 10%) were chosen for this experiment. The results showed that big concentrations (7.5% and 10%) aqueous shoot extracts of Laurus nobilis had significant inhibitory effect on seed germination while the least concentration (%2.5) caused the lowest significant influence in seed germination parameter. Other study parameters such as shoot length, root length, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight were significantly affected at concentrations (7.5 and 10%). The results illustrated that the two dicots, B. napus and V. radiata turned out to be the most sensitive studied plants to the application of B. nobilis aqueous shoot extracts. The findings of this experiment suggest that common bay laurel can be recommended to use as an alternative herbicide in the future.