Allelopathic effects of some Botanical extracts on germination and seedling growth of sorghum bicolor L.

The allelopathic potential of the aqueous extracts and powder of Khella (Ammi majus), Ghobaish (Guiera senegalensis) and Safsaf (Salix spp.) on germination and seedling growth of two Sorghum bicolor L. cultivars was studied. Petri dish and pot experiments were performed in completely randomized design (CRD) with three factors. Petri-dish trial showed that the different extracts level reduced total germination percentage (G %) and mean germination time (MGT). Khella extract sustained the maximum reduction in G % and MGT. Botanical extracts exhibited extra inhibitory effects on radical emergence than on plumule growth. Pot experiment indicted variations in seedlings germination and post-germination growth between the two cultivars in response to different botanical residues. Fatarita seedling emergence improved by Khella and decreased with Ghobaish and Safsaf. While, Hybrid seedling emergence improved with Ghobaish and Safsaf and reduced by Khella compared to control. The higher MGT was recorded in Fatarita in some treatments compared to control. Hybrid exposes a constant MGT in all treatments. Botanical extracts stimulated some growth parameters and reserve others in both cultivars. The results suggest that allelopathic potentials of these plants may entitle them to control specific weeds especially in non-sequential crops by preparing them as natural herbicides.