Allelopathic effect of buckwheat extract for seedlings of selected weed species

Abstract

The influence of 1% aqueous extract obtained from a 14-day plants of common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) on weed species was evaluated. Seedling roots of wild oat (Avena fatua L.), yellow foxtail (Setaria glauca L.), barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus galli (L.) P. Beauv.), common windgrass (Apera spica-venti (L.) P. Beauv.), catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine L.), scentless mayweed (Matricaria inodora L), gallant soldier (Galinsoga parviflora Cav.) and tiny vetch (Vicia hirsuta L.) were exposed to buckwheat extract and compared with control plants grown in water. The obtained results show that the buckwheat extract had lower influence on the growth of shoot than on roots of the evaluated weed species. The use of buckwheat extract in the medium caused the inhibition of root growth in all species except from tiny vetch. In the case of shoot of weeds, inhibition of growth by buckwheat extract occurred only in wild oat. Whereas in yellow foxtail, scentless mayweed and tiny vetch, the stimulation of shoot growth was demonstrated. These results may indicate that the buckwheat extracts act on directly exposed tissues. A different metabolic reaction of wild oat to buckwheat extract after 5 days of exposure than after 2 days may indicate a quick adaptation of wild oat seedlings to stressful conditions.