Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the allelopathic potential of invasive species woolly cupgrass (Eriochloa villosa), common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), bohemian knotweed (Fallopia x bohemica), and giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea Ait.) on germination crop (Lepidium sativum L.). Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions to determine effect of water extracts in petri dish bioassay. Water extracts from fresh biomass (leaves and stem) of invasive weeds in concentrations of 4 and 8 g/100 ml were investigated. All invasive plants showed allelopathic effect on germination. In giant goldenrod stem water extract experiment, allelopathic effect was less pronounced.
 The cress germination was greatly suppressed with the woolly cupgrass, common milkweed and the giant goldenrod. The experiment showed that the seed germination depended on the concentrations and the plant material used (leaves and stem).
Highlights
This study was targeted to investigate the allelopathic effects of various weeds extracts on seed germination
Germination was inhibited in cress test species, only higher concentrations showed significant effect compare to the control (K–W:H= 6.72, df=2, n=9, p=0.0347)
Eriochloa villosa was differently affected with the extract application
Summary
This study was targeted to investigate the allelopathic effects of various weeds extracts on seed germination. The word “allelopathy” is derived from two separate words. These are allelon meaning “one another”, and pathos meaning “to suffer”. Allelopathy refers to the inhibition of a species to another by using chemicals. Weed seed germination inhibition and growth suppression which can be attributed to allelopathy is highly important and can be considered as a possible alternative, non-chemical weed management strategy (Macias 1995, Asghari and Tewari 2007). Inhibitory” substances are released into the environment where it affects the development and growth of surrounding plants (Ferguson et al 2013). Allelopathy is a naturally occurring phenomenon which refers to any direct or indirect effect, positive or negative of a plant to the other by the release of chemical compounds into the environment (Delabays et al 2004). The structure and mode of action of allelopathic substances are different, due to this fact they can be used for future development of herbicides (Uludag et al 2005, Weston 2005)
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