Allelopathic effect of Ailanthus altissima on germination and growth parameters of Pennesitum glaucum and Brassica nigra seeds
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Abstract
In this comprehensive study, we investigated the allelopathic interactions between Ailanthus altissima, a notorious invasive plant, and two important crops, Pennisetum glaucum (pearl millet) and Brassica nigra (black mustard). Through rigorous experimentation, we explored the effects of Ailanthus altissima extracts and rhizosphere soil on various growth parameters of these crops. Our results revealed concentration-dependent responses in both millet and mustard seeds, with significant stimulatory effects observed in pearl millet germination, plumule length, radicle length, and fresh weight when exposed to specific Ailanthus altissima extracts, particularly the 5gm cold water extract. Conversely, methanol extracts exhibited inhibitory effects on these parameters. Furthermore, the study highlighted the subtle but statistically insignificant influence of Ailanthus altissima rhizosphere soil on millet and mustard seeds' growth, shedding light on the complex dynamics between invasive plants and neighboring species. These findings offer valuable insights into the intricate mechanisms governing allelopathic interactions and provide a foundation for understanding plant-soil relationships in agricultural ecosystems, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable agricultural practices and biodiversity conservation efforts.
Keywords: Ailanthus altissima; Allelopathy; Biodiversity conservation; Black mustard; Concentration-dependent responses; Invasive plants; Pearl millet; Rhizosphere soil; Sustainable agriculture