Effectiveness of application with some aqueous plant extracts and diluted yogurt on the seedlings growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum) cv. Masri

Abstract

Involvement of natural and eco-friendly alternatives in agriculture have acquired a great importance to reduce the harmful effects of excessive and indiscriminate use of agrochemicals. In this context, the present study is aimed at evaluating the allelopathic effect of four plant extracts included Rumex nervosus, Ocimum basilicum, Mentha spp, Withania somnifera, and diluted yogurt on different growth parameters of local wheat cultivar (Masri)'s seedlings. Our results have indicated that both the Withania somnifera extract and diluted yoghurt stimulate an increasing within all values ​​of different growth parameters of wheat cultivar. While treatment with Rumex nervosus extract has led to decrease of values ​​of those indicators. Meanwhile the effects of both mint and basil extracts are inconsistent on the growth of seedlings within laboratory and pot experiment, where the mint extract has increased plume and the radicle length in lab experiment, the treatment with the basil extract has encouraged an increasing in the values ​​of the growth parameters in pot experiment. Qualitative detection of active substances within evaluated four plant extracts has explained the different allelopathic effects of those extracts on the growth of wheat seedlings.