PJB-2018-931
ALLELOPATHIC EFFECT OF POPULUS NIGRA LEAVES ON PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS, PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENT AND PROLINE CONTENT OF TRITICUM AESTIVUM
Naila Inayat
Abstract
Allelopathy is an important biological process which triggers both healthy and harmful interactions between plants. Understanding of the allelopathic interactions in managed agriculture can help in devising the cultivation of more appropriate crops in fields with respect to allelopathic plants. In Pakistan like other most countries, Poplar (Populus nigra), a winter deciduous tree is being planted either in rows in crop fields or along field borders as boundary marker. The present research was conducted to analyze the allelopathic potential of Populus nigra leaves (PNLs) on germination, growth, yield and some biochemical parameters of 4 wheat varieties (Ghazanvi, Siran, Atta Habib and Janbaz). Before applying Populus nigra leaves (PNLs) powder soil sample was analyzed for major and minor element i.e. PH (6.14), EC (3.00 ds m-1), Phosphorous (73.6 mg/kg), organic matter (3.48 %), total nitrogen (0.28%), potassium (1136 mg/kg), sodium (330 mg/L) and calcium + magnesium (27.5 mg/L). The leaves dry powder taken in different concentration (10, 20, 40 and 80g) were separately applied to pots containing 10 seeds each of test species. Results revealed that P. nigra leaves have significant effect on wheat species even at lower concentration. All species responded negatively at 10, 20, 40 and 80g leaves concentrations in terms of germination, growth, and yield parameters. Biochemical parameters (photosynthetic pigments and proline content) of wheat were also affected by senescenced poplar leaves even at very low concentration. The study suggests that intercropping of poplar along with wheat may be chosen carefully as wheat is the major dietary staple.
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