Investigating Allelopathic Effects of Artemisia sieberi on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth Indices of Three Alfalfa Species

Allelopathy is one of the main factors limiting the plants growth. The present study investigated the effect of aqueous extract of leaves and fruit of Artemisia sieberi that is an important species for rangeland rehabilitation on seed germination and seedling growth of three alfalfa species (Medicago sativa cv. Nikshahri, Medicago polymorpha and Medicago scutellata cv. Robinson) in laboratory and glasshouse. Treatments were five concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 75 100% Artemisia extract. Treatments were evaluated using a completely randomized factorial experiment in four replications in germinator and pots separately (2014). Data were collected and analyzed for the germination percent, germination rate, seedling length, seedling weight and seed vigor index. Means comparisons were made using Duncan test. The results showed significant differences between extract concentrations of Artemisia on all of traits in both growth conditions (P