Allelopathic Effect of Artemisia herba-alba Asso. Essential Oil on Seed Germination of Agropyron desertorum and Agropyron cristatum

This study was conducted to investigate allelopathic effect of the essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba Asso., on seed germination characteristics of Agropyron desertorum and Agropyron cristatum in a laboratory experiment. Essential oil was extracted from the aerial parts of Artemisia herba-alba using a Clevenger-Type apparatus. The volatile chemical compositions of Artemesia herba-alba were determined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The crude essential oil was diluted with ethanol to a final concentration of 100 ppm, 500 ppm, 1000 ppm, 1500 ppm and 2000 ppm. Seed germination test was carried out on filter paper moistened with 5 ml of different dilutions of essential oil or distilled water as control. The results showed that increase in essential oil concentration reduced root lengths, seed germination percentage and vigor index of Agropyron desertorum and Agropyron cristatum.