the inhibitory effects of aqueous extract of ferula assa-foetide gum on lycopercsicon esculentum seed germination

Plants allelochemicals are active secondary metabolites that are released from some plants and interfere with a wide range of physiological properties of neighboring plant species including seed germination in natural ecosystems. the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of ferula assa-foetide gum (at concentration of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 (w/v)) on some seed germination characteristics of tomato (lycopercsicon esculentum) seed. the results showed that the aqueous extract of f. assa-foetide gum significantly decreased germination percentage (gp), germination index (gi) and seedlings vigor index (vi), while significantly increased mean germination time (mgt). in addition, our data indicated that the adverse effects of high concentrations of aqueous extract of ferula assa-foetide gum on the tomatoes seed germination characteristics were more severe. thus, allelochemicals of aqueous extract of f. assa-foetide gum can affect the early stages of tomato growth by inhibiting seed germination processes and be a threat to its survival and possibly other crops. they can also be suggested as an ecosystem compatible herbicide.