Allelopathy effect of Zygophyllum euryterum on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Convolvulus arvensis

This research was carried out in 2022 in order to study the effect of the aqueous extract of different parts of Zygophyllum eurypterum L. on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat and Convolvulus arvensis L. in two separate experiments including the laboratory and the greenhouse conditions, respectively. The experiments were exerted based on a completely randomized design with three replications and randomized complete block design with 4 four replications, respectively. The experimental treatments included water extracts of Zygophyllum eurypterum L in concentrations of 5, 10 and 15% of roots, 5, 10 and 15% of aerial organs (stem and leaves) and control (distilled water). The results showed that with the increase in the concentration of the extracts, the germination and growth traits as well as the total chlorophyll of both plants decreased significantly. In such a way that the highest amount of inhibition was related to 15% arial parts (stem and leaf) extract. Meanwhile, the antioxidant activity of wheat and weed C. arvensis L. increased by increasing the level of Zygophyllum eurypterum extracts. The level of 15% Zygophyllum eurypterum stem and leaf extract in wheat decreased the germination percentage by 63.7% and in C. arvensis L. by 89.2% compared to the control.  Increasing of extract concentration from zero to 15% of arial parts decreased root length decreased by 72.8% in C. arvensis L., and 52.9% in wheat compared to the control. The highest level of antioxidant activity of the weed C. arvensis L. was observed at the levels of 10 and 15% of arial parts extract which were 64 and 73%, respectively. Most of the studied traits of the weed C. arvensis L., such as germination percentage and speed and root length, were more sensitive to the effects of Zygophyllum eurypterum extract than wheat. Examining the results showed that arial parts of Zygophyllum eurypterum were more capable of dealing with germination and seedling growth than the root. Therefore, 15% aqueous extract of Zygophyllum eurypterum stems and leaves can be suggested to reduce the growth and weakening of the weed C. arvensis L.