Phytotoxicity of Ecbalium elaterium(L.) A. Rich on seed germination and root elongation of radish

الملخص

Phytotoxicity of aqueous  extracts of  Ecbalium elaterium (L.)A.Rich. was evaluated on seed germination , root length , fresh and dry weight of t Raphanus sativus L. Target species were grown on Petri dishes supplemented with 5ml of aqueous extract prepared at concentration of  1 , 5 and 10 g/100ml extracted from leaves , stems , Roots and  fruits of the plant .The results  show  that aqueous extract of plant parts of  Ecbalium  inhibited seed germination in radish at all concentration , while  they increased it at 1% of aqueous extract of fruits. The results also show inhibition of  root length in radish at all concentration , while they  stimulated  at 1% of aqueous extract of fruits  .In radish the result shows that both concentration 5% and 10% of  Ecbalium parts  decreased  total fresh weight but 1% concentration increase total fresh weight of the same plant. In radish    total dry weight decreased  at   both concentration 5%  and 10% of fruits, stems and   leaves  extracts while increased  at  1% in all  plant parts and 1% and 10%  of roots   extract . Finally  the  obtained  results reported in this thesis suggests that  Ecbalium   can cause grate  losses in crop yield through  it is release  of allelochemicals that can inhibit seed germination and seedling    development . On   the other    hand   allelochemicals   produced   by  that plant may  be   used as natural  pre-emergence herbicides to control many weeds in crop fields.