Global Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences Research

Vol.1, No.1, pp.45-52, March 2014

Published by British Research Institute UK (www.gbjournals.org)

ALLELOPATHIC POTENTIAL OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM)

Tabassum Yaseen
Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan

Farrukh Hussain
Centre of Plant Biodiversity, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan

ABSTRACT: Triticum aestivum has been examined for its allelopathic potential against rice
seedling under field conditions in the pot experiments. Allelopathic studies has been
designed by using aqueous both cold and hot extracts from root and shoot straw, leachates
and mulching in various pot experiments, invariably reduced the plant height, length of leaf,
width of leaf, number of spike per plant, length of spike, number of seeds per spike and size of
internode of the rice plant used as the test species. The aqueous extracts obtained after 48 h
were more inhibitory than 24 h. similarly 10 % W/V extracts were more inhibitory than 5 %
W/V extracts. It was observed that number of leaves was not affected significantly. Leachates
and mulching experiments also proved to be inhibitory. It is suggested that both wheat root
and stem straw have strong allelopathic potential against the rice plant. Further studies are
required to explore its behavior so as to maximize its potential against weed and minimize
against crop plants.
KEYWORDS: Allelopathic, Wheat, Triticm aestivum, Seedling

INTRODUCTION
Allelopathy, simply defined as “the release of phytotoxins by plants”. Or the ability of plants
to inhibit germination of other plants. It can enhance the competitive success of the plant
invaders, since the release of these phytotoxins in the environment may affect the growth and
life processes of other community species (Callaway 2002, Mschado, 2007). It is a complex
process that operates along with other competitions in nature to suppress and finally exclude
susceptible associated species from the common habitat (Hussain et al., 2007). Allelopathy is
a biological phenomenon by which an organism produces one or more biochemicals that
influence the growth, survival, and reproduction of other organisms.
These biochemicals are known as allelochemicals, which is a subset of secondary metabolites
and can have beneficial (positive allelopathy) or detrimental (negative allelopathy) effects on
the target organisms (stamp, 2003). Allelochemicals are present in many types of plants and
are released into the rhizosphere by a variety of mechanism including decomposition of
residues, volatilization, and root exudation. These chemicals are known to affect germination,
growth, development, distribution and reproduction of a number of plant species (Inderjit and
Malik, 2002) Several allelochemicals and the ability to release these chemicals, indicates that
allelopathic potential is a polygenic characteristic weakly correlated with yield or other
important agronomic features (Kong et al 2005). Similarly a crop plants crop plant also have
allelopathic potential and is receiving greater attention as a potential mean that can be
exploited in various ways for solving agricultural problems. Wheat possesses allelopathic
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 Global Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences Research
Vol.1, No.1, pp.45-52, March 2014
Published by British Research Institute UK (www.gbjournals.org)

potential for weed suppression and disease control through the release of secondary
metabolites from its living plants or residues, which could avoid the environmental pollution
brought by herbicides and germicides (Alsaadawi et al, 2001, Zhang et al, 2004). Several
categories of allelochemicals for wheat allelopathy have been identified, including phenolic
acids, hydroxamic acids, and short-chain fatty acids (Wu et al., 2001)
Recent research work done on allelopathic potential of wheat highlighted a variety of studies
which includes Wu et al, 2000 (Allelochemicals in wheat different parts) , Zhang et al,
2004 (allelopathic potential of wheat for weed suppression), Li et al, 2005 (Allelopathic
effect of wheat residue) Ma, 2005 (allelopathic studies of common wheat) Zuo et al, 2005,
(allelpathic effect of wheat genotypes), Villagrasa et al,2006, Zheng et al, 2007,
(Allelopathic effect of wheat on weeds), Zuo et al, 2007(Allelopathy variation in dryland
winter wheat) Labbafy et al, 2009 (Allelopathic Interaction of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
and Rye (Secale cereal L.), Yuyan et al, 2009 (Allelopathic effects of root exudates from
wheat) Labbafi et al, 2010 (allelopathic effect of wheat against weeds) Zuo et al, 2010
(potential of four winter wheat Triticum aestivum L. accessions) Saffari et al, 2010
(Allelopathic effects of straw extract wheat varieties on the growth of corn).
The present study was conducted to assay the allelopathic potential of wheat Triticm aestivum
against rice seedling in pot under field conditions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Root and shoot straw of wheat were collected from Peshawar university Garden, Azakhel
Nowshehra and were dried at room temperature (25˚C- 30˚C), grinded into powder and
placed separate in paper bags. Glass wares were carefully cleaned with tap water and
sterilized at 170˚C for at least 4 hours. All the data were statistically analyzed through
ANOVA.

Preparation of aqueous extracts

Five and 10 gm of root and shoot straw were soaked separately in 100 ml distilled water at
25˚C for 24 and 48 hours and filtered to get aqueous extracts. These extracts were tested
against rice seedling in pots under field conditions. Pots were provided with soil of similar
composition. Pots were superficially sprinkled with aqueous extract. For each treatment, five
pots, each with 5 seedlings were experimentally tested. The pots were placed under room
temperature in Net house in department of Botany, university of Peshawar, Peshawar.
Various morphological parameters like Plant height, number of leaves, length and width of
leaves, Number of spikes, length of spike, and number of seeds per spike and size of
internodes were recorded after completion of growth period.

Preparation of hot water extracts

Five gm of dried straw materials of root and shoot were separately boiled in 100 ml of water
for 5 minutes and filtered. The room cooled extracts were applied against the same test
species under the same condition as before.

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Vol.1, No.1, pp.45-52, March 2014
Published by British Research Institute UK (www.gbjournals.org)

Leachates Experiments
Five gm of litter of root and shoot straw of wheat were soaked as such and then the filtered
extract was thoroughly sprinkled on the pots after three days of rice seedling sowing. In
control seedlings were remain as such. For each treatment, five pots, each with 5 seedlings
were tested. Plant height, number of leaves, length and width of leaves, Number of spikes,
length of spike, and number of seeds per spike and size of internodes were recorded after
completion of growth period.

Mulching experiments
Five gm crushed root and straw were placed in pots in which rice seedlings were sown in the
soil of the same composition. For each treatment five pots, each with 5 seedlings were tested
experimentally. Controls were kept as such with out any treatment and the same parameters
were recorded as considered before.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is the main food crop in the world, and plays an important role in
agricultural production. In order to enhance wheat yield (Zhang et al.2004). Wheat (Triticum
aestivum) allelopathy has potential for the management of weeds (Wu et al. 2001), The
present study suggested that Triticum estivum exhibited harmful effect against the various
parameter of rice plant which is used as test species under field condition. Aqueous extracts
root and shoot straw significantly reduced the plant height, length of leaf, width of leaf,
number of spike per plant, length of spike, number of seeds per spike and size of internode of
the rice plant (Table 1& 2). It was also observed that 10% W/V aqueous extract for 24 hour
duration and 5 % W/V for 48 hour duration showed more inhibitory effect that their
respective concentration and duration. These observations showed that both concentration
and duration increased the effects of allelochemical present in Triticum aestivum. It was also
observed that number of leaves under all treatments was not significantly affected, although
length and width of the leaves were affected significantly. Similarly number of spike per
plant and number of seeds per spike were also retatarded in this work (Table 1 & 2). Most of
the work done so for was related to exploring that wheat allelopathy plays a significant role in
controlling weeds. Some of the renounced worker in this category are Alsaadawi (2001), Wu
et al. (2001), Qing (2005), Labbafy, et al. (2009), Zuo et al. (2010) and Bertholdsson (2010),
who all described that wheat has strong allelopathic potential against weeds. In the present
study, it was observed that an addition to weeds this plant also effect crop plants like rice as
well.
The use of hot water extract is unnatural but it reduces the time period for extraction of
allelochemicals ( Barkatullah et al, 2010). Further it may be evaluated from such experiment
that temprature may effect the release of toxic substances from allelopathic plant. Hot water
extract of root and shoot straw of wheat extract in this study, effects all the characteristics
like plant height, length of leaf, width of leaf, number of spike per plant, length of spike,
number of seeds per spike and size of internodes of the rice plant in the same manner as
described earlier for cold water extract, but having a little strong allelopathc potency. Hussain
et al., (2004), Chung et al.,(2007), Peneva (2007), and Hussain & Ilahi (2009) and
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Vol.1, No.1, pp.45-52, March 2014
Published by British Research Institute UK (www.gbjournals.org)

Barkatullah et al, (2010) also reported similar effects, which more or less supported our
study.
Remains of crop plant in field generally decomposed to release some nutrients to the soil, so
as to increase soil fertility,. But it was also observed that during decomposition some of the
allelochemcals also released into the soil, which reduce crop plants yield. Similar situation
were also observed in the present study, where root and shoot straw, used as litter cause
retardation in rice plant characteristics (Table. 4). These agree with Kaul & Bansal (2002),
who reported that litter from Ageratina adenphora reduced growth of Lantana camara.
Similarly, Maciel et al., (2003) also reached to similar results. Litter from Cenchrus ciliaris
and Bothriochloa pertusa (Hussain & Ilahi, 2009) and Dodonaea viscosa (Barkatullah et al,
2010) also proved inhibitory to test species.
Some of the allelopathic substances are released from plants to the environment through
leaching by fog, mist and rain, which are thus involved in allelopthic behavior of the
plants(Nakano et al, 2003). Wheat root and shoot straw artificial leachates have the same
inhibitory effect as described earlier for rice plant characteristics (Table 4). Leachates from
Broussonetia npapyrifera( Hussain, et al. 2007), Stble leachates from soyabean and wheat
(Yuyan et al. 2010) and leachates Cenchrus ciliaris L. and Bothriochloa pertusa(Hussain et
al, 2011)also have been reported. These further strengthened our findings.
Fresh weight, dry weight and moisture contents of rice plant show variable results by the
aqueous extracts, Hot water extract, litter and leachates of root and shoot straw of wheat.
Fresh weight, dry weight and moisture contents were recorded to reduced by all the
treatments except for 5 % W/V wheat shoot straw extract, where fresh weight was enhanced
as compare to control. These findings are lined with the results of Pervez et al (2003) for
Tamarinds indica, Hussain et al, 2004 for Broussonetia papyrifera and Barkatullah et al
(2010) on various test species.
Allelopathia related by the plants accumulate in the soil to physiological activity level (
Hussain et al, 2004). Indejit and Duke (2003) highlighted the advantage of the plants to
release phytochemicals from dead tissues, and their incorporation to the soil could be
accelerated by leaching, thus facilitating their effects in the field. This phenomenon was
tested on various assayed Part of Dodonaea viscosa, which were used as mulch. It was
observed that the germination, radical growth and plumule growth of all the test species were
significantly retarded (Table 3). Hussain et al (2004) and Eppard et al (2005) also showed
similar phytotoxicity by other plants.
The mechanism and action of allelochemicals have wide range, effecting cell lysis, blistering,
or growth inhibition and chlorophyll contents of susceptible plants that also lead to reduction
of growth (Mulderij et al. 2003; Wu et al., 2003). Some of the reported allelochemicals from
wheat include various phenolic acids like p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, cis-p-coumaric,
syringic, cis-ferulic, trans-p-coumaric, and trans-ferulic acids. These allelochemicals vary in
different parts of wheat plant and responsible for allelopathic potential (Wu et al. 2000).
According to Zhang et al., (2004), Hydroxamic acids and phenolic acids are the predominant
allelochemicals frequently reported which could produce plant natural defense against weed.
Both wheat residue allelopathy and wheat seedling allelopathy can be exploited for managing
weeds. But in the present study allelopathy of wheat has been conducted against rice to show
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Vol.1, No.1, pp.45-52, March 2014
Published by British Research Institute UK (www.gbjournals.org)

its behavior against crop plants which showed that wheat straw equally effects crop plant
following them in the next growing period. Wheat allelopathy requires further study in order
to maximize its allelopathic potential for weeds, pests and diseases managment, and to
minimize its hazardous effects on the growth of wheat itself and other crops.
Table 1. Effect of aqueous extract of Wheat root straw on rice seedlings characteristics.
Each value is mean of 5 replicates each with 5 seedlings. Fresh weight, dry weight and moisture
contents are mean of 10 seedlings. All values are given as percent of control.

S. No Soaking duration 24 hours 48 hours

Treatments 5% W/V 10% W/V 5% W/V 10% W/V
1 Plant height(cm) 79.69 70.90 72.01 67.59
2 No. leaves 89.47 84.21 84.21 78.95
3 Length of leaves(cm) 96.96 76.33 93.30 90.01
4 Width. Leaves (cm) 56.82 62.88 75.76 70.45
5 No. of spike 47.83 34.78 39.13 36.70
6 Length of spike(cm) 84.70 82.70 85.91 82.21
7 No. of seeds/spike 81.55 77.99 66.99 74.11
8 Size of internodes(cm) 58.47 46.54 68.02 61.65
9 Fresh weight (g) 75.00 67.31 73.21 73.16
10 Dry weight (g) 75.99 83.43 99.04 90.87
11 % Moisture contents 97.74 69.03 58.08 68.79

Table 2. Effect of aqueous extract of Wheat Shoot straw on rice seedlings characteristics.
Each value is a mean of 5 replicates each with 5 seedlings. Fresh weight, dry weight and
moisture contents are mean of 10 seedlings. All values are given as percent of control.

Soaking duration 24 hours 48 hours

S. No
Treatments 5% W/V 10% W/V 5% W/V 10% W/V
1 Plant height(cm) 75.24 68.32 67.12 64.74
2 No. leaves 85.26 86.32 86.74 83.16
3 Length of leaves(cm) 101.59 85.45 90.61 90.61
4 Width. Leaves (cm) 68.97 60.69 68.97 68.97
5 No. of spike 46.09 62.61 78.26 59.83
6 Length of spike(cm) 91.81 72.60 83.63 90.75
7 No. of seeds/spike 78.96 77.02 68.61 72.82
8 Size of internodes(cm) 76.37 35.80 51.71 63.64
9 Fresh weight (g) 77.75 72.94 67.31 70.74
10 Dry weight (g) 70.18 85.42 106.77 83.95
11 % Moisture contents 117.00 76.56 40.97 74.78

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Vol.1, No.1, pp.45-52, March 2014
Published by British Research Institute UK (www.gbjournals.org)

Table 3. Effect of Hot water extract of Wheat root and shoot straw on rice seedlings
characteristics
Each value is a mean of 5 replicates each with 5 seedlings. Fresh weight, dry weight and
moisture contents are mean of 10 seedlings. All values are given as percent of control.

S. No Treatments Shoot Straw Root straw

1 Plant height(cm) 73.08 72.86
2 No. leaves 105.26 94.74
3 Length of leaves(cm) 86.21 69.79
4 Width. Leaves (cm) 64.39 71.97
5 No. of spike 65.22 69.57
6 Length of spike(cm) 74.38 83.63
7 No. of seeds/spike 69.26 71.84
8 Size of internodes(cm) 62.05 70.41
9 Fresh weight (g) 72.56 69.98
10 Dry weight (g) 84.68 98.16
11 % Moisture contents 77.18 54.23

Table 4. Effect of leachates of Root and shoot straw of wheat on rice seedlings
characteristics.
Each value is a mean of 5 replicates each with 5 seedlings. Fresh weight, dry weight
and moisture contents are mean of 10 seedlings. All values are given as percent of
control.

S. No Treatments Leachates Mulching

1 Plant height(cm) 79.53 77.31
2 No. leaves 105.26 105.26
3 Length of leaves(cm) 90.31 75.26
4 Width. Leaves (cm) 113.64 83.33
5 No. of spike 82.61 86.96
6 Length of spike(cm) 88.61 97.86
7 No. of seeds/spike 75.73 78.32
8 Size of internodes(cm) 75.58 75.58
9 Fresh weight (g) 80.95 79.58
10 Dry weight (g) 12.00 12.50
11 % Moisture contents 145.83 132

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